Tips For Dealing With Thrush

Paula Gallagher on
Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast (candida) in the mouth and throat.

Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast (candida) in the mouth and throat that appears as creamy white, slightly raised lesions. Anyone can get thrush, though it’s more common in babies, children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Causes are often medications like corticosteroids, antibiotics, and drugs used in chemotherapy treatment that reduce the good bacteria in the mouth. Diabetes sufferers are especially prone to thrush from sugar changes in the bloodstream leading to an overgrowth of candida.

A diagnosis of oral thrush doesn’t mean that symptoms are necessarily limited to the mouth. When looking at thrush, holistic practitioners also look at a systemic candida problem. Candida albicans should be in balance in the body, but when the immune system is weakened, candida can take over. Also, for those with food allergies or food intolerances, eating foods that their immune system reacts to along with an imbalance of candida can lead to conditions like thrush.

While antifungal medications are usually prescribed to treat thrush, many natural remedies found in your house can help fight back against thrush and support prevention.

Tips & Preventative Measures for Addressing Thrush

Probiotics

Support a healthy microbiome with probiotic supplements. Many studies have shown that probiotics can work as an efficient alternative treatment against thrush – even those strains resistant to some medications. Probiotic supplements come in many forms, such as pills, powders, and drinks, making them easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Probiotics can help boost your immune system and keep yeast populations from getting out of control, to help prevent thrush infections.

Oregano Oil

Oil of oregano is known for supporting the immune system and has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-candida, and anti-parasite properties. Pathway Oregano Oil is standardized to contain 70% carvacrol, which research shows to be the active biochemical in wild oregano. Another very effective herbal option is Fungus Fighter, which combines oregano oil with spilanthes and usnea lichens.

Avoid Sugar

Sugar encourages yeast growth, so limiting high-sugar foods in your diet can also help you fight back against a thrush infection. For those with diabetes, yeast infections like thrush can be a particular problem if blood sugar is not well controlled. This can lead to high levels of sugar in saliva, sweat, and urine – helping yeast to grow all over the body.

Salt Swish

Salt has antimicrobial and cleansing properties that may help the battle against thrush. Because of this, salt can help reduce a thrush infection and work to relieve symptoms, which may include soreness and discomfort. To use salt to help treat thrush, dissolve ½ teaspoon in a cup of warm water, swish the mixture around in your mouth, and then spit it out and rinse.

Lifestyle

In addition to eating a well-rounded, healthy diet, avoiding certain lifestyle factors can help prevent oral thrush. Stress, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, and wearing ill-fitting dentures can all make a thrush infection more likely. Practicing good oral hygiene – brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups – can also go a long way to helping prevent thrush infections.

If thrush continues to be an issue, you may need to look at systemic candida issue as noted above. Schedule a consultation with one of Village Green’s naturopathic doctors or certified nutritionists for a personal assessment of your situation.

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