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My previous article titled ‘Easy Guide to Understanding Thrush’ gave you a broad overview of what this type of infection is and how to recognise the symptoms. Thrush is caused by the Candida yeast or fungus which naturally occurs in your body without doing any harm. It is an imbalance in your pH levels which causes the yeast to multiply abnormally, resulting in an itchy, uncomfortable infection. The two main types of fungi that cause Thrush are Candida albicans (calculated by the NHS as 80-92% of cases) and Candida glabrata (5% of cases). The following guide will take an in-depth look into how your body loses its internal balance so that Thrush can take hold. This will help you prevent and tackle the condition. Candida Imbalance Explained Under normal circumstances, Candida organisms live naturally in your gut. In the case of one in five women, it also resides in the vagina. When your immune system and other ‘good’ bacteria (such as pro-biotics) are weakened however, they cannot perform their normal function of keeping the Candida yeast in check. In addition, as mentioned above, the correct pH levels in a woman’s vagina play a crucial part in preventing the onset of Thrush. If the balance in these levels is lost, it provides the perfect opportunity for Candida to multiply abnormally. And since there are numerous factors which can come into play to easily upset your natural internal pH levels, it’s not surprising that most women will experience a Thrush infection at some point in their lifetime. According to the NHS, Candida fungus is found in 20-50% of women who do not have any symptoms of Thrush – this leads medical experts to conclude that the onset of a Thrush infection must be triggered by other factors. The Causes of Candida Yeast Imbalance By understanding the following causes of Thrush, you can both prevent it from occurring and ease your discomfort if you have it. Anti-biotics Certain anti-biotics, such as tetracycline and ampicillin for example, can tend to damage the healthy pro-biotics in your body which keep Candida from overstepping its bounds. Hormone Levels The hormonal changes during pregnancy are a common cause of Thrush. It can also occur when taking high dosage contraception. In addition, some hormonal variations result in raised blood glucose levels, which is a prime condition for Candida growth. Diabetes Undiagnosed diabetes will result in abnormally elevated blood glucose levels, which as described above is a perfect breeding ground for the Thrush fungus. Immune System An immune system that has been weakened due to incorrect eating, stress or health issues can also affect your body’s ability to maintain equilibrium and thus open the door to a Thrush infection. Anxiety Worse than simple stress which itself can hamper your immune system, anxiety can be just as harmful as abnormal blood glucose levels in destroying the body’s friendly pro-biotic micro-organisms. Clothing Be aware that tight-fitting or synthetic clothes will lock in dampness and humidity close to the skin, especially in the genital area – this can trigger the rise of a yeast infection. Sexual Contact Thrush can be passed on between sexual partners, so it’s important to get it treated. Grooming Products Deodorants, fragrances, soaps, shower gels and other such chemical substances can all disturb your normal internal pH balance. Vaginal douches are particularly bad as they destroy the friendly micro-organisms that the body needs to keep Candida under control. Conclusion The Candida yeast infection known as Thrush can in most cases be effectively treated with over-the- counter creams and tablets. To prevent it occurring in the first place, be sure to keep the above risk factors in mind. About the Author: Maria Bantellis is a health writer on fungal conditions such as Thrush.
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