Candida Infection

 Human beings who are healthy typically have small amounts of yeast and fungus in their mouths and digestive tract.  The presence of fungus, the presence of what is known as Candida albicans, in small amounts perfectly is normal.  However, if Candida albicans ends up growing out of control in a person’s mouth (and throat) that person has what is known as an oral yeast infection or oral thrush. 

There are two common reasons why Candida albicans – the yeast or fungus that naturally occurs in a person’s mouth in small quantities – can end up growing out of control:  medications that are being used by a person or some type of illness. 

Under normal circumstances, “good” bacteria in a person’s mouth keeps yeast and fungus in check and under control.  Illness or certain medications can cause an imbalance when it comes to these friendly bacteria.  When this imbalance occurs, an oral yeast infection results. 

One of the most obvious symptoms of a case of oral yeast infection are creamy and white lesions that form along the tongue and inner cheeks of a person’s mouth.  At times these lesions associated with oral yeast infection can prove to be painful.  They may even bleed slightly, particularly when a person attempts to brush his or her teeth.   

If not treated promptly, an oral yeast infection can start to spread.  It is not uncommon for an oral yeast infection to spread to the roof of a person’s mouth, about the gums and onward towards the tonsils and the back of a person’s throat.  For this reason, it really is imperative that an individual seek immediate attention when it appears that he or she is suffering from an oral yeast infection.  Symptoms associated with an oral yeast infection can appear suddenly, seemingly out of the blue and from nowhere.  However, although these symptoms can be quick in coming, they can take a long to resolve in some instances. 

Although an oral yeast infection can affect anyone, there are three groups of people that are more commonly afflicted with oral yeast infection: 

• babies and toddlers

• older adults

• people who depressed or compromised immune systems

Beyond the obvious signs of an oral yeast infection that were mentioned a moment ago, other symptoms of oral yeast infection include.

• difficulty when swallowing

• pain when swallowing

• a sensation that food is sticking in your throat or in the middle of your ches

• fever if the oral yeast infection has spread beyond your esophagus