Thrush is a medical condition that is known to affect both children and adults. Often referred to as oral thrush or candidiasis, this condition usually occurs in the oral cavity but may also be found in the esophagus if it spreads from the mouth. This condition is particularly common among newborn babies. Even though thrush is not a life-threatening condition, sufferers often experience unpleasant symptoms that can impact their daily lives and cause a degree of embarrassment. Fortunately, there are several different treatment options that can be tried to treat symptoms and possibly eliminate this problem. Anyone who suspects that they might have thrush should visit a doctor right away to explore treatment options that could offer relief and prevent the problem from getting worse.
What is Thrush?
The earliest documentation of thrush can be traced back to 1838 when French pediatrician François Valleix started noticing the condition in his infant patients. An infection caused by the candida fungus, which derives from a yeast that is found naturally in the mouth, is the culprit behind thrush. This fungus is also known to live within the digestive tract and on the skin and usually does not cause any problems for people. Sufferers of thrush usually notice a white rash or lesions inside the mouth when the candida fungus starts to grow out of control and causes the condition to develop. Thrush often occurs as the result of another health condition and can often be eliminated when the related medical problem is treated.
Symptoms of Thrush
White patches or lesions that are seen inside the mouth often indicate the presence of thrush. Common thrush sites include the roof of the mouth and throat as well as the tongue and cheeks. These spots are usually creamy in consistency and can sometimes be slightly raised and look like cottage cheese. Some bleeding can also occur when these patches or lesions break open from rubbing or scraping. Thrush sufferers may additionally notice redness inside the mouth or have sore, burning sensations that interfere with chewing food and swallowing. Thrush can even interfere with the sensation of taste. Some people with thrush also report having a cotton-like sensation within the mouths. In the corners of the mouth, small cracks that bleed can sometimes be visible.
Causes of Thrush
The overdevelopment of candida fungus is usually spurred by a problem with the body’s immune defenses. When the body’s immune system fails to control the growth of certain organisms, thrush can occur. This is often the result of a medical condition that attacks the immune system such as HIV/AIDS. High amounts of sugar in the saliva due to uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to thrush. Newborn babies sometimes get thrush from their mothers’ vaginal yeast infections. The condition can additionally be the side effect of certain antibiotics and medications. Thrush may even develop in some people who wear dentures.
Treatment Options
Treatment will depend on whether thrush is limited to the mouth or has spread into the esophagus. Certain medicines that are available in pill or liquid form are often effective in treating the condition. For treating the problem in babies, some doctors will prescribe creams that are formulated to inhibit fungal growth, and these creams can also be applied to women who are breastfeeding and may have infectious fungus on their breasts. Patients with HIV, diabetes and other conditions that are linked to thrush usually experience fewer symptoms once these conditions are better controlled with medications. Some people report relief from symptoms after adding salt to warm water and gargling the mixture. Keeping the mouth clean and properly sanitizing dentures and other dental appliances can further decrease thrush outbreaks.