Candida Throat – Diagnosis And Treatment

Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 8:45 pm

A Candida throat infection (also called Candida albicans throat) can be caused by an illness, some medications, or stress. It is a fungus which lives naturally within our G.I. tract without any problems since the friendly bacteria that our bodies produce keep it at bay. However, if you are feeling run-down or stressed, the fungus can cause an infection.

Corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, and antibiotics can cause an oral yeast infection to spread. If you have untreated diabetes, AIDS or cancer, you could be prone to a Candida albicans throat infection. A pregnant woman is also at risk of Candida thrush because pregnancy often causes a severe imbalance of hormones.

Male Candida is also associated with the Candida yeast. But male Candida does not refer to the throat. Instead, it affects areas such as the genitals, groin and the underarms. These areas are usually damp which enables the fungus to grow rapidly, causing small, white blisters and itchiness.

Candida symptoms often manifest as the presence of painful red and white sores (in the mouth, inner cheeks or tongue). The lesions may bleed when you brush your teeth. In chronic Candida, the symptoms may include difficulty in swallowing, fever, severe itching, or a feeling that food is stuck in your throat. This can mean that the Candida infection has spread to the esophagus.

The diagnosis of Candida throat usually occurs during a dental examination. If it is suspected that the infection has extended to the esophagus, an endoscopy may be necessary. A tiny camera is placed on a tube that is inserted in the throat and a video is taken. Or the dentist may take a swab of the fungus and have it examined with a microscope.

Prescription gargles and mouthwashes are effective and easy ways of treating Candida. But in the case of bad Candida infections, especially if your immune system is weak, you will have to use potent antifungal treatments for two weeks. These are prescribed as tablets, liquid, or lozenges.

Treatment will vary according to each case, and will depend on the patient’s age and how serious the infection is. Due to the fact that Candida throat can be a side effect of some other illness or disease, dentists will often refer the patient to a medical doctor. There could well be other health problems causing the infection.

In mild cases of Candida throat, there are a few effective natural remedies to try. Make a gargle formula using vinegar and water, or coconut oil mixed with tea tree oil. Be careful as tea tree oil is not to be ingested. Eat plenty of probiotic yogurt, but make sure the label states ‘probiotic’ or ‘active culture’. This means that the yogurt contains bacteria that can fight infections. If you want a more potent dose of probiotics, take acidophilus in pill form on an empty stomach two times daily. This will help to repopulate the gut with friendly, yeast killing bacteria.

For the prevention of Candida throat, there are a few simple precautions. First, you should keep your mouth, teeth and gums clean. Floss and brush regularly. Stay away from using sprays and oral mouthwashes. These can affect your body’s natural yeast fighting bacteria.

Visit your dentist regularly, particularly if you wear dentures or if you have diabetes. Avoid eating foods that are high in sugar and yeast. Wine, beer and bread can all encourage the growth of Candida. If you are a smoker, try to quit, or cut down significantly.

Check out Doc Walton’s free eCourse on the Top 7 Things You Must AVOID in order to cure your Candidiasis naturally, including information on oral yeast infections and how to find the quickest and easiest treating Candida for you.

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