Perhaps you are most likely to be seeking thrush treatment information if you hail from the United Kingdom where the term thrush is more popular as a reference to the aggravation of yeast infection caused by the yeast Candida. You may also hear of yeast infection being referred to as Candida albicans, or candidasis. It is even possible that in some quarters you'll hear talk of suffering from Monilia, an out dated term (but still occasionally used) that stems from the belief once held that the yeast that responsible for infection was Monilia prior to the real culprit being identified.

The Evil Within!

Candida is an opportunist, parasitic yeast that can probably be found living quite happily without causing much bother in most human beings. The development of colonies of Candida albicans are kept in check by what we often hear called our 'friendly' or 'good' bacteria (if you're an aficionado of 'Yogurt marketing'!). The best known 'good bacteria' are the members of the Lactobacillus family. There are numerous strains of Lactobacillus, and when our bodies are in appropriate chemical balance then our good bacteria can thrive and do their useful job of inhibiting the growth of nasty yeast.

But if we do something to 'kill off' our good guys then Candida can soon run amok! How do we kill off the helpful, friendly bacteria you ask? Well, have you ever been prescribed antibiotics? These are 'careless' killers of bacteria and some antibiotics, particularly the so-called 'broad-spectrum' types once so commonly prescribed by doctors, can do untold damage to the natural, positive flora of our human bodies.

Once the good bacteria are in decline Candida grows rapidly and many women (up to 75%) and also men (around 50%) will experience the discomfort, aggravation and general unpleasantness of Candida 'overgrowth' as some time or other in their lives.

Medicinal Merry-Go-Round- The Carousel of Chronic Candida Infection

Some folks ultimately end up on a miserable merry-go-round (that's a carousel for my American readers...but having started with Thrush I thought I should stick to my UK English theme!). Candidasis sufferers can find that they will fight off one attack of yeast infection using typically prescribed over-the-counter or OTC yeast infection treatment, such as creams, pessaries or pills containing one of a range of chemicals that kill Candida. But soon after they seem to be all clear, the niggly aggravation will start up all over again. This cycle of infection can lead to chronic infection, which can ultimately lead to a adverse range of thrush symptoms many of which can be seriously debilitating and life-limiting.

Those unfortunate victims of chronic yeast infection can be stuck with the only apparent option, as far as thrush treatment goes, of returning ad infinitum to their medical advisor, or pharmacist for regular supplies of inadequate palliatives. Their only hope is to grab a few days of respite from their illness every now and then between bouts of yeast infection.

The worst case scenario is perhaps when a yeast infection becomes so well established that it colonizes the intestinal tract, and ultimately leads to deep seated problems that include Candida being able to pass through the gut (leaky gut) and into the blood stream, therefrom to wreak havoc all around the body as a systemic yeast infection!

Candida thrives in moist, warm environments. As do typical yeasts that go on to ferment the ingredients for wines, beers and spirits! In effect this is just what they are doing to our bodies, causing them to ferment.

Candida and Cancer -- Is There A Link?

There are some interesting theories about Candida and yeast infections that have been promoted by some doctors that include the proposition that Candida is yet another natural 'helper' that thrives in physical conditions when our bodies are generally sick. It is suggested by one Doctor (at least) that Candida actually digests unhealthy tissues, acting in a way as a 'biological cleaner', which is why it appears as a regular accompaniment in the bodies of cancer victims.

Yet another medical practitioner has suggested that perhaps Candida is the key cause of many (if not all) cancers. the suggestion being that when Candida becomes established around cells, as a yeast producing Carbon Dioxide, cells in the body 'switch' their own mode of activity to one that require no-oxygen. Cells that operate in this way are typically diagnosed as cancerous.

What appears to be quite possible in terms of Candida albicans and a cancer link is that when the biological system is out of balance and Candida thrives in the process of doing its 'clean up' job, it will also transmutes into a fungoid form and potentially grows in and around many internal organs spreading 'roots' called mycelia. As it thrives it also creates its own 'waste products' which include toxins such as uric acid, and also alcohol (a result of fermentation of sugars). Another dangerous waste is aflatoxin - a fungal toxin - that is widely known to be carcinogenic - i.e. cancer causing. So this, some suggest may be how Candida infection could lead on to worse health problems.

The Acid-Alkaline Factor

One of the pertinent theories suggests that Candida overgrowth is likely when our bodies are too acidic. No one can deny that 'acidity' problems are at epidemic levels and the supply of ant-acid products is one regular huge money-spinner for the pharmaceutical manufacturers. So those who have adopted the "Alkalarian" approach to health maintain that, due to many forms of foods we eat today, and other aspects of our general lifestyle we become physically acidic, when we should ideally be slightly alkaline. Interestingly (given the previous observations about Candida and cancer) acid conditions indicate a lack of oxygen, and alkaline conditions the opposite. So there is an intriguing link there.

Whatever the ultimate truth transpires to be, yeast infections are certainly a sign that the body is sick. It has been shown that if you make changes to both your diet and lifestyle you can influence the 'environment' of the body in such a way that it becomes inhospitable to Candida, which consequently dies back. When Candida infection is reduced, through taking appropriate action, there is an opportunity for the good bacteria to begin to regain their rightful position of 'guardianship'. In part supplementing the diet with a good source of ‘friendly bacteria’, it is suggested, may help this process.

Probiotics Might Help

The typical products that provide concentrated doses of 'good bacteria' are 'Probiotics'. But a word of warning, if you are not familiar with probiotics they are NOT all born equal. There are numerous products on the market today (some very costly!) that are meant to boost the 'good bacteria' but are thought to be essentially ineffective because they contain the wrong types of good probiotic bacteria. Indeed the best probiotics contain strains from the aforementioned Lactobacillus family, which are robust and strong enough to pass through the stomach acids and reach the intestinal tract where they do much of their good work.

Lactobacillus bacteria are also the natural inhibitors that keep vaginal yeast infections at bay. This is why many women experience vaginal thrush after taking a course of anti-biotics (as mentioned). Commonly women are prescribed both anti-biotics and an anti-Candida palliative like Canesten (a brand you probably know) cream or pessaries in case Thrush should flare up during or following the course of drugs.

You may have heard about the use of yogurt as a thrush treatment through applying the fermented milk product into the vagina. The theory here is that the natural Lactobacillus content of live yoghurt might supplement any reduced numbers and help contain the growth of Candida. Some swear by this as a form of treatment for thrush, others have not found it so effective.

The good news is that there are remedies for yeast infection that do seem to work. These are not, however, OTC Candida treatments or prescription drugs. In fact the most successful form of thrush treatment appears to be a holistic approach. This involves making certain important changes to various aspects of your life including dietary changes and lifestyle revisions.

Thrush Treatment -- The Secret Is...

Through a combination of “more informed” eating which enables the achievement of an appropriate acid-alkaline balance, and efforts to reduce stress, and obtain optimum periods of rest. The point is that thrush treatment is really about creating both an internal and external environment that allows the body to heal itself and give the chance for the protective resources that nature endows us with to regain thaie vitality and do their proper job.

Here are some other essential resources realting to thrush treatment:

(Links open in a new windows so watch out for your pop-up-blocker)

1) I have prepared a review of the most effective natural yeast infection remedies HERE

2) I have also provided more detailed information about Thrush Symptoms here (on another hub page).

3) There are also various useful articles about symptoms of thrush and yeast infections on www.GoNaturalandOrganic.com .

4) TO CUT TO THE CHASE: If you are interested in an in-depth guide to thrush treatment then I highly rate, and thoroughly recommend this holistic approach to treating yeast infection HERE.