What You Need to Know About Thrush and Other Fungal Infections of the Mouth and Throat



Thrush and other fungal infections of the mouth and throat can be uncomfortable and even painful. While they are not usually serious, it is important to understand what causes them, how to recognize them, and how to treat them.

What is Thrush?

Thrush is a common fungal infection that affects the mouth and throat. It is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. Symptoms include white patches on the inside of the cheeks or tongue, redness in the mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing, soreness or burning in the mouth or throat, loss of taste sensation, and bad breath. Thrush can affect both adults and children but it is most common in infants.

What Causes Thrush?
Thrush occurs when there is an imbalance between good bacteria (lactobacilli) in your body that helps keep Candida albicans from overgrowing. This can happen due to a weakened immune system from illness or taking certain medications such as antibiotics; poor oral hygiene; smoking; diabetes; wearing dentures; using inhaled corticosteroids for asthma treatment; having dry mouth due to certain medical conditions or medications; having chemotherapy treatments for cancer; drinking alcohol excessively; being pregnant; using birth control pills with high levels of estrogen; or having HIV/AIDS.

How Is Thrush Diagnosed?
Your doctor will likely diagnose thrush based on your symptoms and a physical exam of your mouth. Your doctor may also take a swab sample from inside your mouth to test for thrush-causing yeast under a microscope or do blood tests if needed to confirm diagnosis.

How Is Thrush Treated?
Treatment for thrush includes antifungal medication taken either orally (by pill) or applied directly into your mouth (topically). Your doctor may also prescribe probiotics which help restore balance between good bacteria (lactobacilli) in your body that helps keep Candida albicans from overgrowing again after treatment has been completed. Additionally, you should practice good oral hygiene such as brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing regularly, rinsing with antiseptic solutions after meals if needed, avoiding sugary foods/drinks/candy/gum as much as possible since sugar feeds yeast growth in your body which can cause thrush flare-ups again in future if not controlled properly . Additionally you should avoid smoking if possible since smoking weakens immune system which makes you more prone towards getting fungal infections like thrush again once treated successfully initially .



What Are Other Fungal Infections Of The Mouth And Throat?

Other fungal infections of the mouth and throat include angular cheilitis (cracked corners at side of lips), oral candidiasis (white patches on tongue), oropharyngeal candidiasis (white patches on backside of tongue), esophageal candidiasis (difficulty swallowing food), laryngitis candidiasis (hoarseness), tracheitis candidiasis(wheezing). These infections are caused by different types of fungi than those that cause thrush but they share many similar symptoms such as white patches inside cheeks/tongue/throat area , redness , difficulty swallowing , etc . Treatment involves same principles as mentioned above i..e antifungal medication taken either orally(by pill)or applied directly into affected area plus practicing good oral hygiene habits like brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste , flossing regularly etc .

Tags:

Thrush, Candida albicans, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Antifungal medication, Probiotics, Oral hygiene habits,

Topics