Say 'Aaah!'! Yeast Infection in the Mouth
It's called oral thrush. When the mouth develops an infection in the
mucous membranes, there can be a number of reasons behind it. It can be
caused by fungus, by bacteria, or by a disease. One of the more probable
causes of mouth infection is the fungus Candida albicans. The yeast
infection in the mouth of babies is commonly called thrush while those
that occurred in the mouth and throat of adults are referred to as
candidiasis or morniliasis.
Candida which is also known as Monilia
(hence morniliasis) is a naturally occurring fungi that looks like yeast.
It is normal to find Candida in small amounts in the digestive track as
well as in the vaginal tracks of women. You might have heard of yeast
infections in women, this is the same Candida that causes the yeast
infections in the mouth. Commonly, the infection begins when the Candida
which should normally be in just small quantities start growing rapidly.
The fungi then infect the moth and throat by targeting the tissues or by
producing some toxins which causes some burning and quite painful
sensations.
A number of reasons can trigger the infection of
Candida in the mouth and throat areas. One of these is taking antibiotics.
Drug treatments like chemotherapy also make the body more susceptible to
yeast infections. These drugs make the environment more favorable for
Candida growth. The other microorganism that keeps the yeast in place is
reduced due to the effects of the drugs allowing an overgrowth of the
Candida fungi.
Diabetes, malnutrition, drug abuse and a compromised
immune system can also induce changes which make Candida growth more
favorable. This is why babies and people with advanced age are more likely
to develop oral yeast infections. Their immune system is still not that
strong to withstand any small change in their environment.
Also, it
has been found out that people with dentures that don't fit well are more
likely to develop yeast infection in the mouth that those with perfectly
fitted dentures. Dentures that don't fit well might damage the mucous
membranes in the mouth. The damaged areas may serve as a doorway for the
Candida fungi to invade the tissues.
Oral yeast infections have
been observed to have discharges that vary from white to cream-coloured.
At times, yellow spots in the mouth are also good indications that yeast
has already grown considerable and began infecting the mucous membranes of
the mouth. This can become unbearable to adults since oral yeast
infections comes with burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
In
treating the infection, the cause of the problem needs to be addressed. If
dentures appear to be the trigger, then replacing them would be the first
step. A compromised immune system, however, might be a little tricky. But
doctors will find a way around it.
Treatment does not stop there.
You will be directed to take antifungal drugs to help eliminate the fungi
from your mouth and throat. Most often, the antifungal drugs used for
treating oral yeast problems come in the form of pastilles. By sucking on
the pastilles, the antifungal medicine acts on the infection
directly.
Firstly, the condition that caused the thrush must be
brought under control. This might involve investing in new and better
fitting dentures, or adjusting diabetes treatment. For AIDS patients, it
is not always possible to correct the immune deficiency, and a course of
oral treatment using antifungal drugs has to be used.
There are
cases, however, that the infection has become severe that antifungal
pastilles are no longer effective. There are other treatment options for
yeast infection in the mouth at your disposal. So, don't worry, I'm sure
your doctor will guide you all the way.
Get expert advice about yeast infection at http://www.articlefog.com/category-yeast-infection.htm.
Here you can find all information about what is yeast infection,
symptoms of the yeast infection,
tips to prevent yeast infection and many more.
Article Source: www.ArticleFog.com.
Related articles
|
|