Thrush Symptoms

What is Thrush?

Yeast infections are basically the body reacting to an increased presence of microscopic yeast cells which all of us have living in and on our bodies.

When certain systemic imbalance occurs this can lead to conditions that encourage the over-growth of such yeasts. This can then result in a variety of yeast infection symptoms being experienced.

Thrush is a common term for vaginal yeast infection, although it is a name more frequently used to in the UK. Yeast infection is nowadays increasingly often referred to as Candida, or Candidiasis, as it is the yeast called Candida albicans that is the culprit that causes such infections. Yeast infection was previously called, and is sometimes still referred to, as Moniliasis (i.e. Infection was related to the yeast Monilia, prior to defining Candida as the culprit causing Thrush symptoms) although less commonly so today.

Candida albicans lives in, or on numerous parts of the body as normal flora. Under typical conditions Candida over growth is avoided due to the beneficial action of 'good bacteria' like the Lactobacillus strains, which are also found in probiotic supplements. However, when something such as a hormonal imbalance occurs or other the micro-organismic environment is otherwise disrupted (by antibiotics for example) C. albicans can multiply rapidly. This results in the infection called Candidiasis which typically affects the mucus membranes (like the lining of the mouth, vagina or cervix -- See Photo below) or the skin. Those whose immune systems are suppressed can be particularly vulnerable to this type of infection.

The symptoms of yeast infections can be wide ranging and numerous - the range and severity of thrush symptoms can also varies greatly from individual to individual.

For example there are those whose yeast infection symptoms are so mild, or loe-level, that they may not even realize they have a Candida infection. This can lead to a long-term cycle of infection and re-infection between themselves and their sexual partner, providing a basis for for chronic yeast infection to develop.

Other sufferers, on the other hand, can feel constantly under the weather, rundown, tired and listless. Yet equally it is possible that they may not receiev an accurate diagnosis of their problems which is why it is possible that Candida infection could be the real cause behind some of today's growing number of cases of Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and even Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) -- all of which have a long term prognosis and are notoriousl difficult to treat.

What are the typical symptoms of thrush?

The basic typical physical vaginal yeast infection symptoms include: -

A white discharge that can often be thick and 'yogurty' looking (rather coincidental as 'Old Wives' have it that applying yogurt can be beneficial to salve the symptoms of thrush!), but then again the discharge can simply be watery. The discharge often has a distinctively yeasty smell (rather unsurprising perhaps), which is a major clue to correct diagnosis, as the odour cannot be said to be really unpleasant. This is unlike the other infections such as bacterial vaginosis, or trichomonas which are sometimes confused with thrush symptoms and which both tend to have a strong, unpleasant fishy-odor.

Other typical symptoms of thrush include an aggravating itching and burning sensation around genital area, which can naturally prove socially embarrassing. The genitals may also appear swollen and reddened.

Whilst vaginal yeast infection is probably most common, thrush symptoms can occur in other parts of the body. Because Candida thrives in moist warm conditions oral thrush is also common. Thrush is often seen in babies mouths and is evidenced by a white coating on the tongue and in the corners of the mouth. Oral thrush in babies can also lead to thrush symptoms affecting the nipples of breast-feeding Mums which can be very sore and uncomfortable.

Those suffering from AIDS can also commonly fall prey to oral thrush, which is noted as an opportunistic secondary infection related to their condition of suppressed immunity (see photos below).

There can be many more thrush symptoms too

Some of the other possible physical expressions of yeast infection symptoms include:

• Can make you tired, listless and fatigued

• Makes you feel aggravated an irritable

• Leads to depression

• Aggravates Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Menstrual Pain

• Makes you feel rundown

• Can cause heartburn, indigestion and acid-reflux

• Can also cause muscle aches

• Lead to joint pains - especially in hips, knees, hands

• Cause joint swelling; Even lead to Arthritis

• Gives you headaches

• Causes chronic rashes

• Can result in respiratory infections

• Lowers the Immune System leaving you open to regular minor ailments

• Lowers self esteem and can lead to social isolation

• Can exacerbate skin problems and acne

• Pain during Sex or other sexual dysfunction

• May lead to impotence (thrush symptoms are also common in men!)

• Can cause embarrassing stomach gas/wind

• Result in Hypoglycemia - Low blood sugar, causing dizzy spells and faintness

• Lead to urinary problems and symptoms of incontinence or retention

• Cause skin lesions to appear - red or brown marks and blotches

• Make you feel short of breath

• Can trigger food allergies

• Lead to short attention span

• Cause learning and memory problems

• Result in premature aging

Some sufferers may go undiagnosed with yeast infection symptoms for many years, and be led to believe that the problems they are experiencing are to be be put down to other causes. This is because so many of the symptoms of thrush are similar to many common illness. These days people can be suffering from Candidasis and simply think it is 'just signs of growing old'. Often when they get down to treating their thrush symptoms using a natural, holistic thrush treatment they can literally end up feeling 're-born'.

But at the very least vaginal yeast infection is simply debilitating enough and generally tends to make most sufferers feel run-down, aggravated, self-conscious, tired and miserable. It can affect realtionships adversely and just take sthe 'joy' out of life for most sufferers.

Typical medicinal treatments may make things worse!

Typically medical adviders, pharmacists and doctors simply tend to treat thrush symptoms by prescribing or recommending the use of certain creams, lotions, pessaries or tablets that contain clotrimazole. There are numerous branded products that feature this generic drug. Otherwise you may also be given antibiotics. But these interventions can actually meake the situation worse.

Antibiotics kill off the bodies good and bad bacteria, so can actually leave you open to developing a yeast overgrowth more easily. Such treatments can lead to a cycle of temporary relief followed by subsequent reinfection by thrush symptoms. Many sufferers consequently end up experiencing long-tern chronic yeast infection, or finding that hye have systemic yeast infections that spread beyond vaginal thrush .

Natural and holistic approaches are proving more effective

More comprehensive information about thrush symptoms, yeast infection and candida is also featured on these pages which appear on the website "Go Natural and Organic" (www.gonando.com) along with advice about natural and holistic cures for yeast infection symptoms that do not require the use of chemical drug based interventions.

It seems clear that whilst it earns no profit for the major pharmaceutical companies, the best treatment for thrush symptoms is a holistic and natural approach. The misery of vaginal yeast infections is often prolonged through a series of subsequent reoccurences of the illness if sufferers rely only on drug based therapies. If this might be of some interest to you, or someone you know, this link provides detailed information about a most effective holistic, natural approaches to treating symptoms of thrush that many people have already benefited from:

Click HERE for: MY REVIEWS OF NATURAL THRUSH TREATMENT

But What If You're Not Sure if It IS Candida That's causing the Problem?

Then you may wish to take a new and useful self-diagnostic test that can help you determine if your health problems may indeed indicate symptoms of yeast infection. You just fill in the online qusetionnaire and receive an immediate assessment of the likelihood that your symptoms may be being caused by Candida overgrowth - a useful tool:

Take the Candida Test here NOW and discover if you are suffering a yeast infection.