Thrush Infection – Symptoms, Causes and Cures

In the US, thrush usually refers to an oral Candida infection. In the UK, it can refer to either an oral or vaginal infection. The causes and long-term prevention for all Candida infections are similar, but this article will focus primarily on the symptoms and short-term treatment of oral thrush infections.

What is an Oral Thrush Infection?

Candida albicans (or C. albicans) is a bacteria that occurs naturally in the human body. In small numbers its presence is relatively benign. some researchers even speculate that it may provide support to certain digestive processes. The problem occurs when populations of the bacteria become abnormally large. if this abnormal increase (or bloom) of C. albicans occurs in the mouth and throat, it produces a set of symptoms known as an oral thrush infection.

What Causes an Oral Thrush Infection?

In a healthy body, populations of C. albicans are naturally controlled. The slightly alkaline pH level tends to retard the growth of the bacteria, as does the presence of beneficial and competing bacteria such as L. acidophilus which assists the immune system in its restraint of C. albicans growth, but if the body is thrown out of balance by such things such as vitamin deficiencies, overly acidic diets, previous illnesses, or antibiotic treatments (which decimate L. acidophilus populations), the body’s natural constraints can be compromised and a C. albicans bloom can occur.

The introduction of new populations of C. albicans from the outside environment can also create an abnormal bloom by temporarily overwhelming the body’s natural constraints. An example would be a nursing infant with thrush passing the bacteria on to its mother with the result of reddening, soreness, and possibly pain in the mother’s nipples.

What are the Symptoms of an Oral Thrush Infection?

The onset of an oral thrush infection can be signaled by a burning sensation in the throat and mouth. as the bloom increases, the bacteria will start to produce white, slightly raised patches on the tongue and sides of the mouth. These patches are tender and cause pain and bleeding if scrapped with a toothbrush. if the bloom spreads down into the throat it can result in pain or difficulty when swallowing.

How can I relieve the symptoms?

To reduce the population of bacteria your dentist or doctor can prescribe an anti-fungal medication, but a more natural approach might be to rinse the mouth with one of the following solutions:

* 1/2 teaspoon salt in a cup of warm water

* 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water

* 3-4 drops of tea tree oil in cup of warm water

* 1 teaspoon pure unrefined coconut oil, straight (Swish 10-15 min; spit out.)

* 1-2 tablespoons plain yogurt with active L. acidophilus cultures (Swish 1-2 min. May be swallowed.)

With either treatment, be sure to maintain consistent oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Reduce your intake of sugars and refined carbohydrates, as well as any yeast-based products, and increase your intake of a, B-Complex and C vitamins along with Zinc.

How can I prevent recurrence?

If this was a first-time occurrence and it was the result of contact with an external source of C. albicans, long-term prevention may not be an issue, but if you have recurrent oral thrush infections or a combination of oral and vaginal infections, or if you feel you may have had a life-change that makes you susceptible to future blooms (e.g., starting oral birth control, weakened immune system, etc.) then a long-term prevention program makes sense.

Remember, the problem is not the presence of C. albicans bacteria, but the underlying imbalance in the body that allows to C. albicans to begin growing in an uncontrolled manner. you need to take steps to establish and maintain a healthy internal balance and optimized immune system. This can be especially challenging if you are on any kind of maintenance medication, as most prescription medications can cause considerable disruption to the body’s internal balance.