Oral thrush causes white lesions, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. The lesions can be painful and may bleed slightly when they are scraped. The infected mucosa of the mouth may appear inflamed and red. Sometimes the condition may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils or the back of the throat. It is also possible to get thrush in other parts of the body, such as the vagina, nappy area or nail folds.
According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, oral thrush is:
"Infection of the oral tissues with Candida albicans; often an opportunistic infection in humans with AIDS or those suffering from other conditions that depress the immune system; also common in normal infants who have been treated with antibiotics."
For healthy people, oral thrush is a minor problem. But it may be more severe and difficult to control for people who have a weakened immune system.
Oral thrush most commonly affects people who wear dentures. People who have difficulty keeping their mouth clean, people with diabetes and those who take steroids are also at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Some antibiotics may cause thrush, especially if taken over a long period. A dry mouth caused by certain drugs, or after chemotherapy or radiotherapy to the head and neck, may also lead to thrush. Very rarely, oral thrush is one of the early signs of HIV.
What are the causes of oral thrush?
Oral thrush and other candida infections can occur when the immune system is weakened by disease or drugs such as prednisone, or when antibiotics disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in the body.
The immune system works to repel harmful invading organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, while maintaining a balance between "good" and "bad" microbes that normally inhabit the body. When these protective mechanisms fail, an oral thrush infection can start.
Thrush infections are caused by an increase in the levels of fungus (yeast) naturally present in the mouth. Yeasts may grow and cause symptoms if:
* the immune system is weakened
* the healthy bacteria normally found in the mouth are killed
* very little saliva is produced
* there are changes in the acidity of the mouth
These illnesses increase the risk of oral thrush infection:
* HIV/AIDS. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages or destroys cells of the immune system. It increases the risk of opportunistic infections that the body would normally resist. Repeated bouts of oral thrush may be the first sign of an HIV infection.
* Cancer. The immune system is likely to be weakened both from the disease and from treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, increasing the risk of candida infections such as oral thrush.
* Diabetes mellitus. In people who do not know they have diabetes or if the disease is not well controlled, the saliva may contain large amounts of sugar, which encourages the growth of candida.
* Vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the same fungus that causes oral thrush. Although a yeast infection is not dangerous, pregnant women can pass the fungus to the baby during delivery. As a result, the newborn may develop oral thrush.
Signs and symptoms of oral thrush
A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.
Initially, oral thrush symptoms may not be noticeable. Many mild oral thrush infections are painless, although the condition can sometimes become quite sore.
Signs and symptoms may develop suddenly, but they may persist for a long time and can include:
* A cottony feeling in the mouth
* Cracking at the corners of your mouth
* Creamy, white lesions on the tongue, inner cheeks and sometimes on the roof of the mouth, gums and tonsils
* Lesions with a cottage cheese-like appearance
* Loss of taste
* Pain
* Slight bleeding if the lesions are rubbed or scraped
People who wear dentures, and have them taken out, may be able to see a very red area where the dentures have been.
In severe cases, the lesions may spread downward into the esophagus. This may cause difficulty swallowing or an uncomfortable feeling as if food is getting stuck in the throat.
Infants and breast-feeding mothers
Infants may develop the distinctive white mouth lesions. They may have trouble feeding or be fussy and irritable. During breast-feeding, babies can also pass the infection to their mothers. The infection may then pass back and forth between mother's breasts and baby's mouth. Women whose breasts are infected with candida may experience the following signs and symptoms:
* Shiny or flaky skin on the areola
* Stabbing pains deep within the breast
* Unusual pain during nursing or painful nipples between feedings
* Unusually red, sensitive or itchy nipples
Seek medical care if those signs and symptoms appear. In older children, an underlying condition such as diabetes may be the cause.
ReWrite From : medicalnewstoday.com
