When you think of yeast infection; throat rarely comes to mind as a place where one is likely, but they do happen. Candida or yeast is present in the oral cavity of about half of the population and on its own will not cause a problem. It only becomes a problem when there is a change in the chemistry of your mouth or throat that make conditions favorable for the Candida to grow and thrive in mold form.
A chemistry change or imbalance can happen as a result of damage to your immune system. Things like chemotherapy or illnesses that affect your immune system like HIV/AIDS or diabetes can cause this. Also, excessive use of alcohol, drugs or steroids can also cause changes to occur in your body that make you more
susceptible to yeast infection. Babies are most likely to suffer from a yeast infection of the throat because
they are born sterile and free of yeast or bacteria which they come into contact with through nursing and just living outside the womb in general. They are not yet equipped with the “good bacteria” or strong immune system needed to ward it off.
People who wear dentures are at higher risk of yeast infection of the mouth and throat because of the inevitable irritation caused by dentures. Yeast infection in the throat can involve pain and irritation, redness and sometimes the appearance of white spots that do not come off with brushing. While these signs can be easy to spot, there are other far more serious illnesses that produce similar symptoms, so it is important that you get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider to rule out the possibility of something more serious.
In the case of this with weakened immune systems from other illnesses like HIV/AIDS, the sudden presence of a yeast infection in throat (or thrush) can be the result of aggravation of the main illness. You must seek medical advice in this case.
Treatment of yeast infection in the throat should also be sought from your healthcare provider. It tends to clear up by itself in babies, but in adults, treatment is needed. For some natural relief at home, you can take a tablespoon of live culture yogurt and hold it in your mouth for a few minutes, 4 times a day. This is not only soothing but offers also some of the “good bacteria” that we need to keep yeast at bay.
Finally, proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet overall will help you prevent yeast infection.
Posted on July 17th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: An Unlikely Place for a Yeast Infection: Throat
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