Causes of Thrush
Thrush is a common yeast infection of the throat and mouth.
A throat yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of candida yeast in the mouth. Candida yeast normally lives in the mouth and on the skin, but antibiotics, corticosteroids, immune deficiency, and other changes in the mouth can encourage the yeast to multiply and cause an infection.
Diabetics may also develop thrush due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. The bacteria that normally live in the mucous membranes usually keep the levels of yeast in the mouth in check, but anything that changes the environment in the mouth or weakens the immune system can contribute to getting a yeast infection of the mouth.
People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or AIDS, as well as those who are taking immunosuppressant drugs, are more prone to getting thrush.
Symptoms of Thrush
Thrush appears as whitish lesions on the mouth, throat and tongue. There may also be a reddish, irritated layer beneath these, which may bleed easily.
Thrush appears in children and adults. In many cases, it may clear up on its own. For mild cases, eating yogurt, taking acidophilus capsules, or gargling with diluted hydrogen peroxide can help.
For more severe and painful cases, you may need to consult a doctor. Stronger prescription drugs can be prescribed to help to heal an infection of the mouth.
Babies should be taken to the doctor if the infection is very bad, or if the pain begins to interfere with their eating habits. Antifungal lozenges and mouthwashes may be described.
People with diabetes can also be prone to developing yeast infections of the mouth. If their blood sugar levels are very high, the yeast naturally present in the mouth can feed off the extra blood sugar in the saliva and this can cause an overgrowth of candida. Stabilizing the blood sugar usually causes thrush to resolve itself on its own.
Thrush and Antibiotics
Antibiotics work by killing bacteria, and this can cause an imbalance of the natural bacteria present in the body. These bacteria are what normally keeps the levels of yeast in and on the body from multiplying too rapidly.
When the bacteria are killed by the antibiotics, they can no longer control the levels of yeast, so it may start to grow out of control.
This can cause throat yeast infections, and these are very common in both children and adults who have been taking a course of antibiotics. The infection may clear up on its own after several days, but it may be worthwhile to see a doctor for persistant cases or if the lesions are very painful.
If a baby with a yeast infection refuses to eat and begins losing weight, they should be taken to a doctor. Cultures and mouth scrapings may be taken to diagnose thrush, but it is usually diagnosed by sight alone by a doctor or dentist.
Those with Damaged Immune Systems are at Greater Risk
Those with weakened immune systems may also have a hard time keeping the levels of yeast in the mouth at a normal level.
Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, often given to those receiving cancer treatment or with transplants, may also be more prone to developing yeast infections of the mouth. These usually stop when the immunosuppressants are stopped.
In the case of those with diseases of the immune system, the prognosis depends largely on their immune deficiency.
Reccuring or severe yeast infections of the mouth in those with suppressed immune systems can be dangerous, because they can spread to other parts of the body and cause more serious infections such as meningitis.
It is important for those on immunosuppressants or those with compromised immune systems to consult with a doctor for yeast infections. Some long-term drug treatments to kill overgrowths of yeasts are available, and may be prescribed for those with recurring yeast infections or weakened immune systems.
Anyone can develop yeast infections of the throat and mouth, but they are most common in the very old, the very young, those who have been taking antibiotics, diabetics, and those with suppressed or weakened immune systems.
They vary in severity and resistance to treatment. Many throat yeast infections will resolve on their own. Gargling with a 3% solution of peroxide can be helpful, as can eating yogurt. In severe cases, or if a baby with thrush is refusing to eat, it is best to consult a doctor.