Thrush Treatment – What’s the Deal?

The fungus which causes thrush (Candida Albicans) lives in everyone’s body without causing any problem most of the time.

It’s only when something causes the level of the fungus to increase above what our body can cope with, that it turns into an infection, and the symptoms become apparent. If you suffer from thrush, you’ll undoubtedly be familiar with the odd thrush treatment or two.

You’ll know how irritating and painful the condition can be, but did you know that left untreated, it can be potentially dangerous to your long-term health and well-being?

Although thrush, (which is also known as yeast infection, candida or monilia), is a very common condition, it’s also one which (even in this day and age!), is somewhat ‘brushed under the carpet’ rather than being discussed openly.

Unfortunately, the majority of people view thrush and its symptoms as problems to be treated with antibiotics and creams until the condition subsides, rather than delving a little deeper to establish the internal cause of the infection.

Without doubt, thrush is an internal problem and as with most chronic conditions, it’s formation cannot be attributed to just one cause.  For this reason, a thrush treatment which works superficially, although it may ease the symptoms, will never attack the crux of the problem, i.e; what is causing the infection in the first place.

For a number of reasons, e.g; lack of knowledge about the condition, a desire to be rid of the symptoms and for the sake of convenience, most thrush sufferers will look to others for a remedy.  They will not think twice about visiting a pharmacist for an over-the-counter remedy or at most, a doctor for a prescription solution. And herein lies the biggest problem in overcoming thrush.

The vast majority of people who choose not to take responsibility for their condition and their health.

Of course, one of the reasons for this could be confusion over how best to treat thrush when it occurs.  This is understandable, as you only have to do a little research to find vastly varying medical opinions and conflicting thrush treatment recommendations.  It’s not surprising that many of us are left in a dilemma as to what to do for the best.

Personally, I’ve been in that boat many times and I’ve spent a lot of money on pills, pessaries and creams that didn’t work.  OK, so I got some short-term relief from them, but that’s all I got. Basically, these days, I believe that to get what you want, you have to have your wits about you and be wary of what’s on offer.

Take the time to investigate some of the alternative holistic thrush treatments which use methods to permanently eradicate the symptoms, and cure the internal root cause of the condition, irrespective of its severity, location or type. It is possible to deal with, and overcome, thrush, but in order to do this, you should be aware of:

• The cause of your infection
• How to recognize your symptoms
• How to test for and diagnose your thrush infection
• How you can learn about the correct dietary measures needed to become, and remain, thrush-free
• The complementary treatments to help you maintain the battle against the negative side-effects and complications of your condition

By arming yourself with knowledge about what you need to do to manage your thrush infection, you can help your body to heal the problem from the inside.  You can learn how to rid yourself of not only the physical symptoms, but also the inconvenience and embarrassment that so often comes along with them.

A huge bonus of taking control of your situation like this is that you will also see an improvement in your general health.  You’ll have more energy and your digestion, skin, hair and nails will all benefit too. Want to be thrush-free? You can be!

Thrush Treatment – Thrush Symptoms

If you’re familiar with the condition, you’ve probably tried many a thrush treatment, so I don’t need to tell you about how much misery thrush symptoms can cause, particularly if you’re prone to severe bouts. In vaginal thrush, aside from the incessant itch, there’s the burning, the soreness and the cottage-cheese like discharge to contend with.

The outer and inner lips of the vulva can become swollen and in severe cases, the delicate skin can become raw, leading to pain and the risk of further infection.

Vaginal thrush sufferers may also experience burning, soreness and pain when urinating, and pain or discomfort during sex.  It’s important to be aware that thrush can be contagious.

When a person is infected, they can easily pass the infection to a partner if unprotected contact with the fungus in the infected area occurs.  Because of this, adequate precautions should be taken to prevent it’s spread during sexual activity.

NB: The symptoms of vaginal thrush may be reduced by applying natural yogurt directly to the itchy or sore areas, but this only offers temporary, albeit welcome, relief.

Symptoms of oral thrush include the appearance of white lesions at the back of the throat, on the tongue, inner cheeks, inside of the lips, roof of the mouth, gums, uvula (the dangly thing at the back of the throat) and even the tonsils.  Apart from causing pain (imagine a mouthful of ulcers), the lesions can bleed if scraped or rubbed, and something as simple as brushing your teeth can be absolute agony.

A severe case of oral thrush can also result in cracked lips and a partial or complete loss of taste. Oral thrush is very common in children and in people with reduced immune systems.

Oral Thrush Treatment

The fungus which causes thrush is present in everyone’s mouth, and for good reason.  In a normal environment, it lives there quite happily and helps to restrict the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. However, when something happens to accelerate the growth of the fungus to an abnormal level, oral thrush is the result and an oral thrush treatment will be required.

Obviously, the main objective when looking for an oral thrush treatment is to find one that stops the spread and alleviates the symptoms. That said though, a sufferers age, overall health and the cause of the infection should be taken into consideration first.

For infants and nursing mothers: If you’re breast-feeding a baby who has oral thrush, it’s a good idea for both of you to get treatment.  Without it, it’s possible that the infection will simply continue to be passed back and forth between you.  Your health visitor or doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal treatment for your baby and also an anti-fungal cream for your breasts. In addition, rinse pacifiers and bottle nipples daily, in a water and vinegar solution – half water, half vinegar.  Also use this solution for all the detachable parts of a breast pump which come into contact with your breast or milk.  Allow all rinsed items to dry naturally.

For healthy adults and children : If this is you, you may find that eating unsweetened yogurt or taking acidophilus capsules or liquid may help to reduce the infection.  Bear in mind that neither yogurt or acidophilus will actually destroy the fungus, but they can help to restore the normal bacterial level in your body.

For adults with weakened immune systems : Your doctor will most probably prescribe an anti-fungal treatment in the form of tablets, lozenges or a liquid which you gargle with or swish around your mouth before swallowing. If your infection persists, see your doctor or investigate a natural, holistic oral thrush treatment.

Thrush Treatment – Because Men Get it Too!

Most people think of thrush as a female complaint, although men frequently develop the condition which is when their search for thrush treatment begins.

Thrush in men occurs in the groin area.  It can cause soreness, itching, and redness of the head of the penis, scrotum, and foreskin. Quite often, small white spots on the penis, burning sensations during intercourse and transient rashes may identify the ailment.

Thrush Treatment – Symptoms in Men

However, the main symptom of male thrush is undoubtedly Balantis, which is the medical term for inflammation of the penis.

Balanitis can be treated traditionally with prescription anti-fungal cream or medications, however alternative therapies are readily available.

Due to the fact that thrush thrives in warm, sweaty and irritated skin folds, uncircumcised men are actually more likely to develop it.  In some cases, the foreskin even swells and cracks due to the yeast allergy.

As with women, thrush may also affect men suffering from diabetes, who are particularly susceptible to the infection, as the fungal yeast thrives on the high sugar content found in the body.

Thrush is actually more common in men who are not sexually active, although the infection can be passed on through sexual intimacy, both in heterosexual or homosexual relationships.

Because thrush multiplies rapidly in dark and moist environments, clothing which allows for good body ventilation is recommended. All clothing worn next to the skin should be removed and washed after each wearing.

During thrush treatment for an infection, sexual intercourse should be avoided (as should any activity which might result in excessive exertion or sweating), until the condition is relieved.  In addition, after swimming or spending a long amount of time in water, bathing suits should be removed and dry clothing changed into as soon as possible.

Whilst it is important to keep the genital area scrupulously clean, highly scented bath or shower products, body lotions and deodorants should be avoided in favor of plain unscented products.  A warm sitz bath infused with a few drops of tea tree oil can be great for helping to soothe thrush symptoms.

On an internal note, drinking pure, unsweetened cranberry juice, diluted with water, may help to keep the urinary tract of the penis clear while the external skin heals.  Also, the avoidance of milk, mushrooms, caffeine, sugar and bread is also recommended to help prevent further irritation.

Thrush Treatment – Don’t Be Shy!

Thrush in men can be treated very successfully, but many men will avoid seeking thrush treatment because they are embarrassed to discuss their thrush symptoms with anyone else.

It is important that these feelings of embarrassment are overcome, as a neglected infection can have serious repercussions.

In short, seek medical advice as soon as possible and don’t delay your thrush treatment.

Thrush Treatment – How does Vaginal Thrush Occur?

Normally, the bacteria and the yeast (Candida Albicans) which causes thrush, are both naturally present within the vagina and will exist together without causing any problems.

However, if something should upset this balance and cause the yeast to increase in quantity, you may find yourself in need of a thrush treatment to clear the resulting infection and consequent thrush symptoms.

Thrush Treatment – Possible Internal Causes of Vaginal Thrush

Poor health or diet: Food such as sugar, dairy products, coffee, tea and wine contribute to thrush by increasing urinary sugar, which in turn encourages the growth of yeast in the vagina.

Antibiotics: These may increase the growth of the fungus which causes thrush, as antibiotics kill friendly bacteria which keep yeast in the vagina under control. Also, the underlying illness, i.e; the reason for taking the antibiotics in the first place, may cause the body to weaken, giving the thrush bacteria the opportunity to multiply more easily.

Pregnancy: Hormone levels during pregnancy may create high levels of sugars in vaginal secretions, which result in the growth of thrush in the vagina.

Periods: Menstrual blood can change the acidity of the vagina, which could result in thrush.  Tampons and towels may also increase the chance of thrush.  Tampons, particularly if kept in for too long, can change the pH balance of the vagina and towels provide a moist and warm environment, an ideal setting for bacteria to multiply.

Diabetes: The vagina contains mucus and harmless bacteria which help to defend it from thrush, and other germs.  However, it’s possible for a condition such as diabetes to alter this natural defence system, which may result in the growth of the thrush bacteria, particularly if the blood sugar levels are consistently too high.

Contraceptive Pills: The jury is still out on this one!  Some say that a high dosage contraceptive pill may cause thrush, but that it’s unlikely that a low dosage pill will do the same.  Others say that women who take a contraceptive pill (regardless of its strength) are no more at risk of thrush than any other women.

Emotional or physical stress: Stress and being run-down may increase the risk of thrush, as suffering from these conditions will weaken the immune system, making you more vulnerable.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy weakens your immune system, making you more prone to thrush.

Thrush Treatment – Possible External Causes of Vaginal Thrush

Sexual Intercourse: External stimuli may change the balanced environment of the vagina which could, in turn, lead to a thrush infection in this area.

Perfumed soaps and bubble baths: These products may increase the risk of thrush, as they can affect the natural acidity (pH level) of the vagina.

Wearing tight synthetic clothing: Any item of clothing or underwear which is tight fitting and made of synthetic material, can prevent the vaginal area from ‘breathing’.  This can result in a warm, moist environment – an ideal place for thrush to develop.

NB – At the onset of thrush symptoms, it is advisable to seek a thrush treatment as soon as possible.  As a general rule, the longer the infection is left untreated, the longer it takes to clear, for any thrush treatment.

Thrush Treatment – Clear your Thrush from the Inside Out!

Over the years, I’ve tried plenty of thrush treatments, none of which gave me any lasting relief.

All I was looking for was something to help get rid of the symptoms I was having – unbearable itching, discharge and soreness – but sometimes, even that seemed too much to expect.

You can imagine then, that when I heard about a thrush treatment that would get to the root cause of my thrush and get rid of it for good (which meant no more thrush symptoms), I was definitely interested, albeit a little skeptical.

I’ll be honest – I wasn’t really expecting it to work, but I bought it anyway.  Wrong attitude going in I know, but when you’ve tried as many thrush treatments as I have, you’re going to be a little wary.

And another thing I wasn’t sure about was that this thrush treatment wasn’t a cream, a pill or a pessary – it was a book.  An online guide explaining how to rid yourself of thrush for good.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to bother with reading, and then implementing, a ton of advice from a book.  (Looking back, even though this is regarded as one of the best Candida diet and cures available online, it was the words “for good” that really sold it to me).

Thrush Treatment – Perseverance is Essential

The first thing that struck me when I bought it was the amount of information you get with the program.  The second thing was that this is definitely not a quick fix for thrush, although there is a 12 hour symptom relief plan which I followed and which actually worked!  More on that later.

Without doubt, the main aim of the book is to eliminate yeast infections by identifying, addressing and then eradicating the root cause of the problem.  And it’s really interesting too.  I was completely hooked after the first few pages.  I also have asthma and I’ve read lots of books about that.  Boy, were they boring!  You know how stuff about medical subjects can sometimes be a bit zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.  Well, this isn’t.

This thrush treatment program is written by a certified nutritionist, health consultant and former yeast infection sufferer from California.  She knows what she’s talking about, the program has been around for years, and hundreds of people have followed it and successfully cleared their thrush symptoms, and the cause of them. 

One thing I would say is that for this thrush treatment to work, you’re going to have to make some changes to your current lifestyle and in the beginning, it can be tough.

If you’re not willing to make changes with regard to your eating habits and your diet, then this treatment program is definitely not for you, but if you’re willing to give it a go, you’re going to be glad you did.  In addition to the dietary changes, there’s also some great information on herbal mixtures and topical remedies which will help to bring relief to thrush symptoms.

This program comprehensively deals with countless different root causes of yeast infections.  From a poor diet to a weak immune system, every angle is covered to enable you to establish exactly what the exact cause of your yeast infection is.  If you want to treat thrush successfully, particularly recurring thrush, you must determine what’s causing it to occur in the first place.

The author advocates listening to your body and taking full responsibility for your health – this is the basis of this program.  She completely believes that if you allow your body to naturally detox itself (remove toxins), this cleansing process will help to restore its correct balance and with the proper diet, help it to heal itself from the inside.

One of the many things I liked about this program was the questionnaire.  There’s a pretty long and very detailed check-list to help you get to the crux of your thrush symptoms.  Stuff you’d never even think was related suddenly starts to look like it could be a major contributor to your symptoms.  It’s a real eye-opener.

Another of the things I really loved about the program is the 12 hour symptom relief plan, which is an in-depth, hourly, thrush treatment plan.  It explains how you can take immediate action for quick relief of your symptoms and like I said before – it worked!

There’s even a quick-results mini program especially for anyone who’s too busy to set aside the time to do the complete program.  Not that I’ve done this, but what a great idea!

The information I’ve given in this review is only the tip of the iceberg.  I could go on and on, but I’d be going for quite some time.

Thrush Treatment – Long-Term Relief

This is not a quick-fix – this is a program designed to keep you thrush-free for life, but it requires time, commitment and some life changes for it to work.

The rewards though, are immeasurable.

Suffice to say that this book is extremely detailed in every aspect of how to recognize, deal with and eliminate thrush from your life – forever!

Is this thrush treatment worth it?  Absolutely, 100% YES!!

Thrush Treatment – Tackle the Problem at Source

Take a look in any pharmacy and you’ll see a number of remedies on sale for thrush treatment.

What thrush remedies you choose will more than likely be dependent on the type of thrush you have, and your thrush symptoms.

Of course, it’s easy enough to visit a pharmacy and simply buy an over-the-counter treatment which has been recommended to you by the pharmacist – it’s certainly the quickest ‘fix’.

However, wouldn’t you rather a thrush treatment that allowed you to rid yourself of the cause of those irritating thrush symptoms in the first place?

Of course you would – who wouldn’t?! 

Thrush Treatment – The Natural Choice

The great thing is that these days, there are a number of holistic remedies available which will help you to do just that. This type of treatment will tackle the root cause of your thrush, rather than just your thrush symptoms,

Many doctors will disregard alternative therapies for thrush treatment, preferring to prescribe conventional medication to bring the symptoms under control.  Of course, it’s great to be rid of your thrush symptoms, but for how long?  Chances are, they’ll be back soon unless the treatment which has been prescribed has tackled the root cause of the outbreak.

Although the symptoms of thrush may present themselves in certain areas, rest assured that they are your body’s way of telling you that all is not well, and that the ‘bigger picture’ must be looked at to truly tackle the problem.

Thrush Treatment – Holistic Health

That’s where a holistic remedy comes in.  A holistic practitioner will attempt to treat the patient as a whole person, taking into consideration their overall physical, spiritual and mental well-being prior to recommending a treatment.  They will attempt to bring the whole body into balance before attempting to treat the symptoms of, and establishing the root cause of, the problem.

Holistic therapy as a thrush treatment can be remarkably successful and in fact, will help to prevent recurrences of the condition.