Oral Yeast Infection: the FACTS about Oral Yeast Infection

Also called thrush or oral candiasis, oral yeast infection is a subtype of a fungal infection growing in the mucous areas of the mouth. Oral yeast infection is often a temporary condition in babies, but can indicate disorders of the autoimmune system in adults. More than this, when neglected, oral yeast infection can spread to the throat and the esophagus and result in more serious complications.

Having yeasts in the mouth does not necessarily result in oral yeast infection. Candida species, predominantly Candida Albicans, are normal oral bacteria that are present in 30% - 60% of healthy people and live off their host without negative effects. However the oral surfaces can predispose the multiplication of the yeast and disseminated infections. Conditions encouraging this include:

1. Drug therapies diminishing host defenses and altering the oral cavity. 2. Diseases weakening host defenses by their systemic nature. 3. Antibiotic treatments that damage the equilibrium of the organisms in the intestines by eliminating beneficial gastrointestinal bacterial flora that typically hold Candida at bay. 4. Oral vulnerability to vectors of yeast infection, including medication, mineral or vitamin deficiencies, food allergies, mouth irritation, and so on. 5. Stress, anxiety or depression as contributing psychological factors. 6. Changes in physiological conditions such as growing old, having a baby, infancy, diet considerations, lack of iron, getting diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism etc. 7. Modification of salivary flow due to phenomena such as Sjogren's syndrome and types of antidepressants, which then favors multiplication of Candida. 8. Local oral factors, such as wearing dentures and the difficulties of hygiene that they bring. These include bad hygiene from using porous dentures and lack of washing from saliva that unable to pass around the dentures. This explains why yeast infection median prevalence is at 85% for wearers of dentures with normal oral mucosa, compared to just 37% of users with natural teeth.

Most commonly, the following oral yeast infection symptoms are:

1. A tongue that is red with no bright spots, peeling surfaces or patches on the surface of the tongue then following this. 2. Angular Cheilitis or red cracks at the edges of the mouth. 3. Color contrast in the inner surface of the mouth where a red background shows up white, cream colored or yellow spots that bleed if scrubbed. 4. Extra tissue that it is impossible to wipe off the mouth.

Oral yeast infection can also manifest itself by a disquieting burning feeling in the infected area, and also its visible symptoms.

Newborn babies are commonly under threat of oral yeast infection. If oral yeast infection is suspected, additional tests should be done. The first signs to look out for are restlessness and irritability during feedings, as well as refusal to accept a pacifier.

Certain anti-fungal drugs can effectively resolve oral thrush, like:

1. Nystatin (sold as mycostatin, mycolog and nilstat): an antibiotic used for different subclasses of fungal infections. After 2 days of using this medicament, oral thrush is typically eliminated. Without toxicity and bacteria and virus tolerant, it can be taken orally three to fives times per day in tablet or liquid form. However, because of the multiple doses that are required, lower patient compliance may result.

2. Ketoconazole (sold as mycelex, monistat and nizoral): antifungal drug breaking down the cell wall of the fungus to kill it.

3. Triazole antifungal agents, such as itraconazole and fluconazole. Itraconazole is taken as part of a continuous treatment typically lasting at least 90 days or until a laboratory test confirms no further fungal infection. Despite oral and intravenous intake, poor absorption and various side effects (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain in the abdomen) are among the disadvantages of Itraconazole. Fluconazole is available as a tablet or a liquid to be taken orally every day for a period of a least several weeks.

4. Amphotericin B (brand names: fungizone, adria and apothecon): a strong antibiotic for tackling fungal infections. As a polyene antimycotic drug, this is usually prescribed for in cases of severe Candiasis with hospitalization. It has toxic characteristics and may lead to multiple different side effects.

Although there are differences in usage, certain elements are common to all of these oral yeast medications. Firstly, medication therapy for oral yeast infection targets the external symptoms of yeast infection, like much other conventional medication, thus neglecting the internal reasons that bring on candida infection overgrowth. Secondly, alleviation brought by the medication is typically temporary, and all the more so for recurring oral yeast infection. Finally, long-term use of these drugs may cause secondary effects.

Holistic and all-natural remedies can address the internal causes of oral yeast infection and also its immediate symptoms. In a different approach to that of prescribed medicaments, oral yeast infection can also be cured using herbal or homeopathic treatment, changes in diet, detox and in lifestyle. Symptoms are thus eradicated, as is candida infection recurrence.

About The Author:

Linda Allen is a health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book Yeast Infection No More . To Learn More About Oral Yeast Infection Visit: Oral Yeast Infection

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