Get Relief from Thrush with Our Virtual Healthcare Services
Oral candidiasis (commonly called thrush) affects many Americans each year. The offending agent is a fungus called (Candida albicans) oral candidiasis can cause irritations in the mouth that can make it difficult to eat or swallow. Yeast exists naturally on the mouth and skin. It also resides in the intestines and vagina. It is not the fungus itself, but the overgrowth of this agent that causes infection.
One of the few illnesses that can be treated via telemedicine, your healthcare provider will take a complete health history, provide a physical exam via videoconference, and ask that you upload a picture to a secure patient portal.
Prevention:
Patients with asthma using an inhaled steroid can use a spacer to make sure that their medicine gets to the lungs and does not remain in the back of the throat or mouth. Swishing and spitting with water after taking your inhaled steroid can help prevent oral candidiasis.
Unfortunately, science has not proven that taking probiotics or eating certain foods helps with oral candidiasis prevention.
Causes:
- Weakened immune systems (caused by illness and/ or infection)
- Medications (such as antibiotics and inhaled steroids)
- Dry mouth
- Cancer treatment
Symptoms:
- While patches on the cheek or roof of your mouth
- Mouth pain
- Pain when swallowing
Treatment:
After a physical exam via videoconference, your provider will either prescribe oral lozenges or pills to rid the infection. Follow-up with the provider is necessary to ensure that your infection is clear. You are not charged for your scheduled follow-up visit. Ready to eat again without pain? Priority Virtual Healthcare can return your life back to a normal body.
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Thrush is a common fungal infection caused by the Candida yeast. It typically affects the mouth and throat, although it can also occur in other parts of the body. Thrush is also known as oral candidiasis or oropharyngeal candidiasis.
Symptoms of thrush may include:
- White patches or plaques on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, and sometimes the roof of the mouth and tonsils
- Redness and soreness in the mouth and throat
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Loss of taste
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath
Certain people are more likely to develop thrush, including:
- Infants and young children
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems (such as those with HIV/AIDS or cancer)
- People taking certain medications, such as antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids
- People with diabetes or other conditions that affect the immune system
- People who have had radiation therapy to the head and neck area
- How is thrush treated?
- Thrush is typically treated with antifungal medications, which can be taken orally or applied directly to the affected area. Common antifungal medications for thrush include nystatin, clotrimazole, and fluconazole.
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing thrush:
- Practice good oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth twice a day and using mouthwash
- Avoid sharing items such as towels, toothbrushes, and eating utensils with others
- If you are taking antibiotics or other medications that weaken the immune system, ask your healthcare provider about steps you can take to prevent thrush
- Avoid smoking, which can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of thrush
- If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar levels to help prevent thrush
