Infection of the mucosal lining of the mouth with the fungus Candida albicans.
Symptoms of Thrush
The following features are indicative of Thrush:
white, velvety sores in the mouth
white, velvety sores on the tongue
wiping the sores may cause bleeding
redness in the mouth
diaper rash
mood changes, such as being very fussy
refusing to nurse because of soreness
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Common Causes of Thrush
The following are the most common causes of Thrush:
candida albicans fungus
weakened immune system
Risk Factors for Thrush
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Thrush:
weakened immunity
diabetes
vaginal yeast infections
use of medications such as prednisone, inhaled corticosteroids
wearing dentures
Prevention of Thrush
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Thrush. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
rinse mouth with water
brush the teeth at least twice a day and floss daily
remove dentures at night
watch out the eating habits
maintain good blood sugar control if having diabetes
get treatment for dry mouth
get treatment for vaginal yeast infection
Occurrence of Thrush
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Thrush cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Thrush can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Thrush can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Thrush
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Thrush:
Physical examination: To examine the mouth to look at the lesions
Doctor for Diagnosis of Thrush
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Thrush:
Dentist
Complications of Thrush if untreated
Yes, Thrush causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Thrush is left untreated:
blood poisoning
swallowing problems
Self-care for Thrush
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Thrush:
practice good oral hygiene
disinfect dentures to avoid reinfection
try warm saltwater rinses
use nursing pads
Patient Support for Treatment of Thrush
The following actions may help Thrush patients:
Friends and family support: Provide both emotional and practical support to patient going through treatment
Join support group: Provides information about disease and helps in coping with the disease
Time for Treatment of Thrush
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Thrush to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: