Thrush

What is Thrush?

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by the Candida species of fungus. Thrush is also called Candida or Candidosis. It happens when a fungus called Candida Albicans grows too much.

Candida occurs naturally in the body, especially in warm, moist areas such as the mouth and genitals. It normally doesn’t cause any problems because it is kept under control by the immune system and other bacteria in the body. However, some factors can cause the fungus to multiply (grow), leading to infection.

Thrush infections usually appear in the mouth (oral Thrush) or genitals. Candida is most commonly found in the vagina, making Thrush more likely to develop in women. Most women will have Thrush at least once during their lives, and many will have more than one episode. However, the infection can also appear in men, too. Men with a foreskin are more likely to get Thrush because the warmth and moisture underneath encourages the fungus to grow.

Thrush isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI) because many people already have a small amount of it in their bodies. According to health authorities it is actually more common in men who are not sexually active. The infection can, however, be passed on through sex.

What Causes It?

A healthy person has a natural balance of acid and alkaline in their bodies, this is known as a pH balance.

Yeast loves a warm, moist environment with low acidity and a good supply of sugar. Any change in the pH balance can create an ideal breeding ground for Candida. Perfumed soaps, vaginal deodorants, douches, disinfectants and scented bubble baths could all affect the pH balance.

Who is at risk?

If you are feeling run down, generally stressed, or are recovering from an illness, you may be vulnerable to Thrush because your immune system has been weakened. For this reason people who are HIV positive can be vulnerable to Thrush outbreaks.

If you are taking or have just finished a course of antibiotics this could also leave you at risk. Antibiotics kill all bacteria in the body including the friendly bacteria that keeps Candida under control.

Diet may have an impact on Thrush. Some practitioners believe sugar, dairy products, coffee, tea and wine contribute to Thrush by increasing urinary sugar.

Women with diabetes are more likely to get Thrush than are women who do not have diabetes. This is because diabetes increases blood sugar levels.

People with dentures and very young babies can be at risk from oral Thrush.

Symptoms

Both men and women can get Thrush.

Symptoms in women:

• soreness, redness and itching around the vulva (lips of the vagina), the vagina and anus
• thick, white discharge from the vagina that smells of yeast
• pain during sex
• pain passing urine

Symptoms in men:

• burning, itching, redness and red patches under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis
• thick, cheesy discharge under the foreskin
• problems pulling back the foreskin

Treatment

There are a lot of over-the-counter treatments for Thrush; most chemists sell pessaries and creams to clear up the uncomfortable symptoms and treat the cause.

There is also a range of alternative or complementary treatments for Thrush. Not all of these treatments are supported by research, but many women find them useful. Complementary treatments tend to be most effective when used as soon as you begin to notice the symptoms of Thrush.

Thrush can easily be confused with other infections such as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), so, although it may be tempting to self-diagnose, it is advisable to have a professional diagnosis. If you are pregnant, have never had Thrush before, or if you have reoccurring bouts, it is especially important to get an accurate diagnosis.

Your GP should be able to give you a diagnosis, but you can also go to a Genito-Urinary Medicine clinic (GUM), Family Planning or Well-Woman clinic. Diagnosis is straightforward and can be confirmed by taking a swab from the vagina.

Candida Control Cookbook

Gail Burton

Candida is a toxicity syndrome that affects millions of women, but the diet that doctors recommend to patients with this affliction severely restricts many of the foods that make life pleasurable - all sugars, most fresh fruits, milk and milk products, white rice, barley, wheat, most cheeses, all alcohol and fizzy drinks, mushrooms, coffee and most flours. When Gail Burton, a gourmet cook and former food writer from California learned how drastically her medical condition limited her menu options, she wrote the book to help fellow sufferers reintroduce variety and taste into their otherwise bland diets - without sacrificing their health. She includes over 150 yeast-free gourmet recipes from appetizers to desserts, a food chart of problem and permitted foods, a 14-day menu planner, and lists of safe substitute products and sources, including manufacturers.