What is thrush?
Thrush is another name for yeast infection and candidiasis. These names tend to be used to describe different areas affected by the yeast infection. The title thrush is more commonly heard inthe context of vaginal thrush, oral thrush and thrush of the nipple. To an extent, though, the labels thrush, yeast infection and candidiasis are inter-changeable though, to be medically accurate, candidiasis usually describes a much more intense and pervasive yeast infection symptoms.
Thrush is therefore an overgrowth of the yeast candida albicans in a particular area of the body. This overgrowth causes a variety of symptoms…often itching, redness, a vague yeasty smell, discharge etc depending upon the area of the body affected.
Thrush is most commonly found in the vaginal area. Whilst naturally occuring candida albicans does not normally grow out of control, sometimes conditions lend themselves to candida overgrowth and vaginal thrush symptoms occur. Antibiotics, diabetes, some medications, HIV and too much sugar in the diet are all potential triggers of an outbreak of thrush.
In babies, oral thrush is quite common, especially if Mom had vaginal thrush whilst baby was delivered. Infant oral thrush can therefore be spread back to Mom’s nipple during breast feeding meaning mother and child will both need treating. Adult oral thrush tends to be caused by mediaal treatments of conditions compromising the presence of healthy bacteria in the gut and therefore allowing candida overgrowth to occur.
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