thrush

Thrush is a disease caused by microorganisms called opportunistic fungi - Candida albicans. These fungi become potentially dangerous under certain conditions, but in general, these microorganisms are on an equal footing with human organs and systems and are completely harmless to a person in excellent health. It is more correct to call thrush by the correct medical term - candidiasis, after the name of the pathogen. Candida live not only in the human body, they get along well in a humid or aquatic environment, wherever it is - in dairy products and even on the peel of vegetables and fruits. These are the most tenacious and active parasites among their class, since they quickly reproduce, and the death of some fungi is immediately compensated by the formation of new ones.

The constant presence of Candida on the mucous membranes of the human body is normal 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 the immune system weakens, is depleted, Candida begins to multiply rapidly and fill ever larger territories. Candidiasis received the name "thrush" due to the characteristic discharge inherent only to this disease, they are white in color, in consistency very similar to some types of dairy products. Candida can parasitize on 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 speed. These are kidney cells (blastomycetes) and elongated cells (pseudomycelium - cells do not divide, but bud).

What causes thrush?

Yeast-like microorganisms live literally everywhere, like other opportunistic microorganisms. Candida does not know territorial boundaries, just as it does not recognize racial, sexual or age differences. Since fungi are found almost everywhere, a person most often becomes infected with them from soil, food, and water. Fungi, as a rule, attack a person in the following sequence:

• Skin;
• Oral mucosa;
• Gastrointestinal tract;
• Genitals, genitals;
• Respiratory system.

Thrush begins to develop against the background of reduced protective properties, exhausted or weak immunity. Also, a significant decrease in the level of bacteria in the body that resist Candida "helps" in the activation of Candidiasis.

Who gets thrush and why?

Thrush is wrongly considered a purely female problem, this disease can affect children and the elderly, women and men, in a word, everyone with reduced immune activity. Thrush can be provoked by medications - long-term use of antibiotics in the treatment of the underlying disease, endocrine pathologies - diabetes, hypothyroidism. Thrush is also a consequence of poor nutrition and excess weight (metabolism is disrupted). Candidiasis is a constant "companion" with HIV. Hormonal contraceptives, chemotherapy for cancer processes, radiation therapy, gallstone disease, autoimmune pathologies, treatment with glucocorticosteroids - this is not a complete list of causes that provoke candidiasis. Most often, many people are sources of infection for others, without even suspecting it. Candidiasis carriage is typical for those who suffer from chronic diseases that automatically lead to a weakening of the immune system. As a rule, fungi inhabit the oral cavity (about 20%) and intestines.

What specific pathological factors can provoke thrush?

• achalasia of the cardia is a 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 (protrusions, bulges of the intestinal walls);
• polyps;
• enterocolitis;
• GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease;
• gastrointestinal granulomatosis (Crohn's disease) is a chronic inflammatory disease;
• dysbacteriosis;
• long-term use of medications (hormonal, antibiotics);
• pathologies of the endocrine system;
• age-related decline, weakening of immunity;
• constipation;
• oral diseases;
• injuries 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 intestines. Candida gradually penetrates the tissues, and then into the blood, destroying both blood cells and vessel walls. Fungi accumulate in the form of small foci in 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

Signs and symptoms of thrush are quite variable, and they depend on the organ or system that is affected by Candida. Among the most obvious ones that thrush has are the following:

• In case of gastrointestinal tract damage – bowel disorder, foamy stool, liquid consistency, nausea and bloating;
• Urogenital area – burning, severe itching, irritation of mucous membranes and skin, in women – white vaginal discharge. Irritation of skin and mucous membranes is often accompanied by bacterial infection, which is secondary.
• Intestinal dysbacteriosis with its typical manifestations - skin rashes, indigestion, loss of appetite, changes in body weight.

In advanced cases, when thrush becomes chronic, its characteristic signs are a whitish coating on the mucous membrane (mouth, vagina) and discharge. Thrush is diagnosed by microscopic examination of smears or using culture cultures. Spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy are also effective diagnostic methods, when the material stained with special reagents is illuminated and thus the types of fungi and their quantitative indicator are clearly determined.

How long does it take to treat thrush?

First, the underlying disease, the consequence of which is thrush, is treated. Then antifungal agents are prescribed, both for local use and in tablet form. Treatment of thrush should be accompanied by the mandatory prescription of immunomodulators and agents with probiotic and prebiotic action to restore balance in the intestinal microflora.

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