Thrush

Thrush is a disease caused by microorganisms, called conditionally pathogenic - Candida albicans fungi. Potentially dangerous these fungi become in certain conditions, but in general, these microorganisms are in equal rights with human organs and systems and are completely harmless to a person who has excellent health. The thrush is more correctly called correctly, the medical term is candidiasis, by the name of the causative agent of the disease. Candida live not only in the human body, they perfectly coexist in a moist or aquatic environment, wherever it is - in products of milk origin and even on the skin of vegetables and fruits. These are the most tenacious and active parasites among their class, as they multiply rapidly, and the death of a part of the fungi is immediately compensated by the formation of new ones.

The constant presence of Candida on the mucous membranes of the human body is the norm, until the fungi begin to exceed the limits allowed by the immune system. Fungi can multiply in the oral cavity, in the anus and rectum, in the vagina, in a word where there is a comfortable moist environment for them. As soon as immunity weakens, it is exhausted, Candida begin to multiply rapidly and fill all the large areas. The name "thrush" candidiasis was received in connection with the characteristic discharges inherent only in this disease, they are white in color, in consistence very similar to some types of dairy products. Candida can parasitize on the mucous membranes, as well as on the skin and even on the nails. Under the influence of various factors, the fungus forms two of its subspecies, which multiply at the same rate. These are kidney cells (blastomycetes) and elongated cells (pseudomycelia - cells do not divide, but bud).

Than the thrush is caused?

Yeast-like microorganisms live literally everywhere, like other conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. Candida do not know territorial boundaries, nor do they recognize racial, gender and age differences. Since mushrooms are found almost everywhere, people most often get them from the soil, from food, water. Fungi, as a rule, attack a person in this sequence:

• Skin covers;
• Mucous throat;
• Gastrointestinal tract;
• Genital organs, genitals;
• Respiratory system.

The thrush begins to develop against a background of reduced protective properties, exhausted or weak immunity. Also, in the activation of candidiasis, a significant decrease in the level of bacteria opposing the candidates is "helping" in the body.

Who has thrush, and for what reason?

Thrush is vainly considered a purely female problem, this disease can affect children and the elderly, women and men, in short, everyone who has decreased immune activity. Thrush can be provoked by medicines - long reception of antibiotics at therapy of the basic disease, endocrine pathologies - a diabetes, a hypothyrosis. Also thrush is a consequence of ineffective nutrition and excessive weight (impaired metabolism). Candidiasis is a constant "companion" for HIV. Hormonal contraceptives, chemotherapy in oncology, radiation therapy, cholelithiasis, autoimmune pathologies, treatment with glucocorticosteroids - that's not the whole list of causes provoking candidiasis. Most often, many people are sources of infection of others, without even knowing it. Candidialism is characteristic of those who suffer from chronic diseases that automatically lead to a weakening of the immune system. As a rule, mushrooms occupy the oral cavity (about 20%) and the intestine.

What specific pathological factors can trigger thrush?

• achalasia of the cardia - defect in the function of rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the esophagus;
• atrophic gastritis syndrome;
• low acidity - hypoacid gastritis;
• erosive processes of the gastrointestinal tract;
• diverticulosis (protrusion, convexity of the intestinal wall);
• polyps;
• enterocolitis;
• GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease;
• granulomatosis of the gastrointestinal tract (Crohn's disease) - a chronic inflammatory disease;
• dysbiosis;
• long-term use of medications (hormonal, antibiotics);
• pathology of the endocrine system;
• age reduction, weakening of immunity;
• constipation;
• diseases of the oral cavity;
• trauma and postoperative period;
• pregnancy.

Thrush can be invasive and the opposite - non-invasive. The invasive form is characterized by the onset in the mucous membranes of the mouth, much less often it occurs in the esophagus and intestine. Candida gradually penetrate into the tissue, and then into the blood, destroying both the blood cells and the walls of the vessels. Fungi accumulate in the form of small foci in the organs (lungs, spleen). Non-invasive thrush, as a rule, develops in the intestines, significantly changing the picture of microflora and reducing immunity.

Symptoms of thrush

The symptoms and symptoms of thrush are very variable, and they depend on the organ, the system that affected the candida. Among the most obvious, which has thrush, you can call these:

• With lesions of the gastrointestinal tract - upset of the stool, foamy feces, fluid consistency, nausea and bloating;
• Genitourinary sphere - burning, severe itching, irritation of mucous membranes and skin, in women vaginal discharge of white. Irritation of skin and mucous membranes is often accompanied by bacterial infection, which is secondary.
• Dysbacteriosis of the intestine with its typical manifestations - skin rashes, indigestion, loss of appetite, change in body weight.

In neglected cases, when the thrush turns into a chronic form, its characteristic features are a whitish coating on the mucous membrane (mouth, vagina) and discharge. The thrush is diagnosed by microscopic examination of smears or by culture. Also effective diagnostic methods are spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy, when the material stained with special reagents is highlighted and thus the species of fungi and their quantitative index are clearly determined.

How long is thrush treated?

First, the basic disease is exposed to the therapy, the consequence of which is thrush. Further, antifungal agents are prescribed, both topically and in tablet form. Treatment of thrush should be accompanied by mandatory appointment of immunomodulators and means with probiotic and prebiotic action to restore balance in the intestinal microflora.

Thrush is a problem that it is easier to prevent, not to give it a chance to develop, than to treat it long and hard. That is why it is important to take a responsible attitude to the treatment of the current, underlying disease and bring it to the end, performing all the activities prescribed by the doctor.