Coping With Thrush
Coping With Candida and Thrush
Do you suffer from thrush and candida? If you do or someone you love has thrush then this will support you to gain more information and knowledge to help you.
I still recall the first time I got thrush and it wasnt the last. It is an unpleasant and little discussed topic and most people deal with it the best way they can. However it is important to take Thrush and candida seriously as having it can have more serious health implications or it can just make life a little miserable. Either way you need to educate yourself so that you can deal with candida and take control.
How Often Have you had Thrush?
How many Times have you had Thrush or Candida ?
My experience of Candida
The first time i ever got thrush was in my 20's after what was supposed to be a relaxing holiday. During that holiday I got a bad case of food poisoning and had to be injected with powerful antibiotics twice a day. I became very exhausted from the illness and then from the effect of the antibiotics.
I recovered from the food poisoning thanks to the antibiotics, but when I got home I started this annoying itchy white rash in an intimate area. I had no idea what it could be and was quite scared. So I went off to the doctors and was diagnosed with thrush. She gave me some medication and pessaries and in a few days it had all gone. great!!
However the Thrush did not stay away...
Over the years often when I was given antibiotics or got unwell, back came the thrush. Sometimes it was easily taken care of with over the counter remedies, other times I had to get medication from a doctor. Always it was annoying and often distressing.
Thrush can be very debilitating, at best it is embarrassing, itchy and sore, but it can be much worse. It affects every day life in what you can and cannot wear, your love life and if you decide to try an anti candida diet it affects your eating habits. I also got bad cravings sometimes as well for sugary things!
Often people who get thrush may also suffer from urinary tract infections as well.
Gradually it dawned on me that I had to understand more about the thrush /candida so I could understand what was happening in my body and get back in control. I needed to break the cycle I seemed to be every time I had to had antibiotics or got unwell equalled a thrush attack.
I read a lot, got myself more educated abouthte reasons behind the thrush and decided to change my diet to eat more healthy. Anytime I have antibiotics I take a good vitamin supplement and probiotics during and for some time afterwards.
Have I conquered Thrush? Well not yet entirely but I am always willing to learn and understand more to help me help myself and others, learning and increasing my knowledge of the body and candida and how it works.
Books To help Cope With Candida - Ideas on Health, Nutrition and Cooking For Candida
What Are The Symptoms of Thrush / Candida Infection?
Symptoms can be varied and you may not have ALL of these. Thrush can be confined to a small area of the body or can be widespread across many body areas. If you have never had thrush before it is very important that you are diagnosed by a qualified healthcare provider. PLEASE NOTE: Many conditions can appear similar.
These are the main symptoms
Itching
Burning
Soreness
Swelling of the vagina and vulva
Yeasty-smelling "cottage cheese" - like discharge.
You may also experience
Body rash
Chronic fatigue
Food allergies
Cravings for sugar and carbs
A white film on the mouth or tongue)
Abdominal pain, bloating, gas and indigestion
Joint pain with arthritis-like symptoms
Sinusitis-frequent
Weight gain or loss.
Difficulty concentrating
"Athletes" foot infections
Urinary infections-cystitis
Itching, red eyes
Rashes inside the ears or around the genital area
Anxiety / Depression
Menstrual irregularities
Loss of libido
Bad breath
What is Thrush and Candida?
Explanation of systemic candida.
Where does Thrush Appear?
Thrush can appear anywhere on the body but is most common
Intimate areas of the body
Folds of skin ie under the breasts /inner thighs.
Ear
Feet (Athletes foot)
Anywhere it is most likely to be warm and moist is where candida can flourish. It is very important to dry areas thoroughly and to try to let air get to the area.
Candida overgrowth an manifest as white cottage cheese like substance, red shiny sore areas or a rash like appearance. It will generally be itchy and sore.
Why Do You Get Thrush Or Candida Infections?
Anyone can get a candida infection from babies to men and women of any age. There are however some predisposing factors which may make you more susceptible to candida overgrowth. This is not an exhaustive list and does not mean if you fall into any of these that you will get thrush.
If you take anti-biotics a lot
If you eat a lot of sugary, processed foods and refined carbohydrates
If you are on steroids
If you regularly wear tight clothing
If you take the birth control pill
If you are undergoing chemotherapy treatment
If you have a weaked immune system
If you have Diabetes
If you have a lot of Stress
If you are Pregnant
If you have Low thyroid.
Thrush-what not to wear!
If you have thrush you can help you rself quite a lot by not encouraging a warm moist enviroment that the candida loves. So its out with the tight jeans and in with long flowing skirts!
Here are just some ideas for you .
If you are a girl with thrush
AVOID
Tight jeans
Tights
Tight trousers
Any synthetic underwear
Synthetic fabrics that do not allow the skin to "breathe"
TRY
Loose fitting cotton trousers
Cotton underwear
No underwear
Cami type cotton knickers
Skirts
If you are a guy with thrush
AVOID
Y Fronts
Anything synthetic
Tight jeans
Tight Trousers
TRY
Boxer shorts
Loose fitting cotton trousers
Cotton clothing.
What is Thrush/Candida?
Here are some definitions of Thrush/candida from some sources.
- PATIENT.CO.UK WHAT IS THRUSH
From the page: "What is thrush? Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida. Small numbers of Candida commonly live on the skin and around the vaginal area. These are usually harmless. The immune system and the harmless bacteria that als - EMEDICINEHEALTH.COM YEAST INFECTION AN OVERVIEW.
From the page : "Candidiasis is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Under certain conditions
Information on Thrush Self treatments
If you know you have Thrush you may like to try some self treatment first to see if that will help you . I have done this and often my thrush cleared up with no problem. If however it does not clear up in a short period of time it is wise to see you r healthcare professional.
Some commonly advised things are to eat natural probiotic yoghurt or take acidophilus capsule supplements, avoid all fungus based foods like mushrooms and use a topical cream such as Aloe vera to soothe itching or one from the chemist such as canesten cream and pessaries.
However not everyone agrees on what is useful to do when you have thrush, anti candida diets are often talked about but not seen as helpful by some, so you are best to read and make up your own mind.
Useful Informative Links About Candida and Thrush
- PATIENT.CO.UK INTIMATE THRUSH
Discusses what is thrush and its causes and treatments particularly in women. - NET DOCTOR THRUSH IN MEN
Discusses the symptoms of Thrush in men.
Please note if you have not been diagnosed with thrush, but you think you have some symptoms, it is advisable to see your medical practitioner for a complete diagnosis. Many conditions can appear the same.
Skin Care For Sensitive Skin - Dry sensitive or allergic skin needs additional help.
- Skin Care For Sensitive Skin
Learn about skin care for dry, sensitive or allergic skin and useful products to use.
Disclaimer for Coping With Thrush
I am a person with some experience of Thrush/candida on a personal basis and not a medical expert. This lens contains personal opinions that are not intended as medical advice. The contents are not intended to diagnose, treat or give a medical opinion. You should always consult a medical professional if you feel you may be suffering symptoms of Candida infection.
The information here is no substitute for medical diagnosis and guidance. Consult a physician in all matters relating to health, particularly concerning any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Never disregard medical advice, or delay or change treatment because of something you have read here. For assistance with thrush/candida, or any other medical condition, always consult a qualified healthcare professional. You health is your responsibility.
If you have any experiences of treating thrush or candida you would like to share, or just found this information helpful I would love to hear from you .
© 2009 RaintreeAnnie