Symptoms and Causes of Oral Candidiasis
October 31, 2009
Oral Candidiasis
Oral candidiasis is caused by a type of fungi called candida albicans. Oral candidiasis is otherwise called oral thrush. These fungi will affect the lining of the mouth and at times it may also affect throat, gums and even tongue. This disease is usually found to affect the infants, adults with less immunity and older people.
Causes of Oral Candidiasis
The fungi candida albicans are present in the mouth of most of the people and when the favorable conditions arise these fungi may grow rapidly and out of control and cause infection. The factors that contribute to the growth of this fungus are use of certain medications like antibiotics, anti rejection medicines, steroids, chemotherapy etc or the use of dentures like false teeth, smoking etc. Disease that reduces the immunity like HIV, diabetes, leukemia, Cushing’s syndrome etc also raise your chances for getting this disease. An expecting mother having vaginal candidiasis may pass this infection to their new born and new born may have oral candidiasis. Having a diet rich in carbohydrates and low in minerals and vitamins may also leads to this disease.
Symptoms of Oral Candidiasis
The most commonly seen symptoms are white or yellowish white or cottage cheese like patches on the mucous membrane of the mouth. These patches can be easily scraped off and it may reveal the inflammatory erythematous base.There may be bleeding or red color under these patches. It may also be accompanied with pain and a cottony like feeling in the mouth. In severe cases these lesions may spread to esophagus and gums and cause discomfort. In case of severe infection it may cause even mucosal ulceration and there may arise difficulty in drinking and swallowing. It may also result in swellings under the dentures and even cracks and tears on the mouth corner. At times it may also affect your taste buds and you will be with out any taste.
If this disease is left untreated then it may affect your stomach, brain and heart. You may also have nutritional problems as it cause difficulty in taking food. Once you notice the symptoms then you must take anti-fungal medicines to get rid of this disease.
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