Thrush
Introduction
Thrush (Vaginal)
Vaginal thrush affects millions of women during their lifetime and many
women will have several bouts of thrush every year. Some women suffer
from thrush on a monthly basis, which can be enormously uncomfortable,
inconvenient and even embarrassing.
What is vaginal thrush?
Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast (fungus) called candida albicans,
which occurs naturally in the gut, in the skin and in the vagina. Under
normal circumstances, it is kept under control by other 'friendly' bacteria
in the body, but occasionally it overgrows, which is when problems start.
What symptoms could you experience?
With vaginal thrush you usually get a thick, white, sticky discharge
with soreness and irritation. The discharge can often look like cottage
cheese and can have an unpleasant smell. If you are suffering from thrush,
you may experience pain during sex and when passing urine. The outside
of the vagina may also feel sore and swollen.
The most irritating symptom is an intense itching around the outside of the vagina, which is definitely worse in some cases than in others.
Men are also susceptible to thrush, which appears as a discharge from the penis, with soreness and/or reddened skin.
What
are your choices?
Because a discharge can be caused by other infections (such as gardnerella
see Vaginal Infections it
is important to know what type of infection or overgrowth you have.
This will, of course, determine the most appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis is made by your doctor, who will take a sample of the discharge on a swab. The swab is then sent to the lab for testing.
The aim of the natural treatment is to ensure that your body has all the nutrients it needs to function optimally, thereby boosting your immune system. The programme focuses on certain foods and supplements in order to do this. You'll also encourage the friendly bacteria in your system, to create a normal balance that keeps the yeast under control.
Supplements
The supplements recommended below have been studied in clinical trials
and have been found to be effective in connection with thrush. For best
results you should take them over a period of three months, at the end
of which you should be reassessed in order to monitor improvements and
changes and then adjust the supplement programme according to your new
condition.
Multivitamin and Mineral
A good quality multivitamin and mineral should form the foundation of
your supplement programme to make sure that you are getting a 'little
bit of everything'. You then add in those nutrients in slightly higher
amounts which are known to help with thrush.
Beta-carotene
Levels of beta-carotene (a type of vitamin A) have been found to be
low in the vaginal cells of women who have thrush. It is suggested that
this may effect the immune response of the cells in the vagina, which
encourages (or at least allows) the yeast to overgrow.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency has been connected with women who have recurrent thrush.
Adequate levels of zinc are critical for the optimum functioning of
your immune system. People who are deficient in zinc will be susceptible
to recurrent infections or infestations of any kind (that's why you
may seem to suffer from one cold or tummy bug after another when you
are run down). If you are zinc deficient, your immune system can be
compromised and your body will not be able to control yeast overgrowth.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
The essential fatty acids that are contained in oily fish and in nuts
and seeds have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral actions so
it is important to take supplementary EFAs while you are combating an
attack of thrush. If you have a tendency to recurrent thrush. It's worth
taking a capsule of linseed oil every day over a period of six months.
Try also to ensure that you are getting enough of these essential fats
in your food.
Garlic
Garlic is well-known for its effect on the immune system and it has
both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Take garlic as a supplement
when you are trying to eliminate an attack of thrush, and as prevention
if you are prone to attacks. In clinical studies, garlic extracts have
been to found to prevent the growth of candida. One of the active ingredients
in garlic is called 'allicin', and it appears that this is the ingredient
with the ability to prevent an overgrowth of yeast. When buying supplements,
choose one with a high level of allicin.
Probiotics
A probiotic is the opposite of an antibiotic, which means that it encourages
rather than destroys bacteria in the body. That's not as alarming as
it sounds! What probiotics do is increase the growth of 'healthy' bacteria
in the body, which is known as flora. By taking probiotics, you are
aiming to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in your system
which in turn helps to control the amount of yeast overgrowth. As well
as eating live plain organic yoghurt, (for more information on the dietary
recommendations for thrush see the
rest of the Thrush chapter) it is important to take supplements
of lactobacillus acidophilus, one of the best-known and effective probiotics.
Yoghurt has shown to be helpful in preventing attacks of yeast, but
a probiotic supplement goes one step further to actually treat a yeast
infection. The difference is that lactobacillus levels in yoghurt are
high enough to work on a preventative basis, but they will not be concentrated
enough to deal with an infection. Make sure the one you buy has to be
kept in the refrigerator, because these are viable cells that need to
be kept at a low temperature.
There are acidophilus capsules that can be inserted into the vagina. Alternatively, you can use live yoghurt in the same way. Some women slather a tampon with yoghurt, and insert it into their vaginas, removing the tampon after 30 minutes or so, which should be enough time for the yoghurt with all its beneficial bacteria to be absorbed by the body. This method can be effective but, like anything that is used externally, messy! Furthermore, if you already have a yeast infection, there can be no doubt that levels of beneficial bacteria are not high enough. Even if you choose one of these external methods, it's a good idea to take a good probiotic alongside.
If you are currently suffering from thrush, add in fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are the naturally occurring water-soluble fibre in fruits and vegetables. These act as a food source for the growth of friendly bacteria.
Dietary changes
As well as following the Hormone Balancing Diet, which is outlined in
Chapter 1, you can help to eliminate the thrush by focusing on a few
dietary changes. You will definitely need to avoid sugar, and any foods
containing sugar, as they will promote the growth of yeast. You also
need to cut out foods that contain yeast, and any products that are
fermented, such as bread and wine.
Herbs (see caution below)
Herbal treatment is aimed at treating an active attack of thrush and also working to prevent future attacks.
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Research has been undertaken into the effects of tea tree on candida
and other vaginal infection and it has been shown to be an excellent
anti-fungal and antibacterial agent herb.
This essential oil (the same type of oil that is used in aromatherapy) is not taken by mouth, but used vaginally to combat the thrush. It is possible to buy tea tree oil pessaries. Try adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil to your bath when you have thrush. If you are prone to thrush, it can be used on a preventative basis.
Echinacea
Because your immunity will be compromised if you are suffer from recurrent
thrush, one of the aims of herbal treatment will be to boost your immune
system.
Echinacea is one of the best herbs for increasing immune system function. One study showed that women suffering from recurrent thrush, who were given echinacea, had a 43 percent reduction in the number of attacks.
For optimum benefit to the immune system, it seems that echinacea is
more effective if taken with short breaks. I would suggest four weeks
on and then one week off.
For more information on other herbs to help with thrush, see the rest of the chapter onThrush e-book at The Natural Health Practicewhich you can download
Tests are extremely useful, in that they can tell you what deficiencies you have at the moment and then for you to know what supplements would be useful to take to correct those deficiencies. You would then be re-tested after three to four months to monitor your progress and to adjust the supplement programme accordingly.
Mineral Analysis Test
with Supplement and Nutritional Assessment Programme
This test measures the deficiency and excess levels of 7 different minerals
and 5 heavy toxic metals that may be present in your body.
Online Personalised
Supplement Assessment Programme
The analysis of this comprehensive questionnaire will give you a three
monthly supplement programme to help balance any vitamin and mineral
deficiencies you may have.
Candida Test (Comprehensive Parasitology)
(Stool Test)
This CDSA test checks your digestive health and gives a complete overview
of the body's intestinal function evaluating if you are digesting your
food properly and absorbing the nutrients effectively.
This test will help you find out what foods you may be allergic to or
reacting to, which may cause weight gain, bloating, fatigue etc. and
let you know what foods you should avoid eating.
After three months you would then have a re-test in order to monitor your progress and adjust your supplement programme according to your new condition.
If you need help in obtaining any of the supplements, herbs or tests mentioned above, click, The Natural Health Practice. They can supply all of them for you online or if you prefer to talk to somebody first you can also order by mail order on the telephone. The products supplied by this company are always of the highest quality.
Plan of Action
Nutrition
Ensure you are getting the right nutrition:
Follow dietary recommendations outlined on the Foundation
of Health page.
And for more information on the special dietary recommendation for thrush,
see the rest of the chapter onThrush e-book at The Natural Health Practice
The supplement programme below should be taken for at least three months in order to achieve best results
Your supplement plan
A good multivitamin and mineral tablet
Beta-carotene (25,000iu per day)
Zinc (30mg per day)
Garlic capsules (containing up to 5,000mcg of allicin, taken once a
day)
Lactobacillus acidophilus and FOS
Linseed (flaxseed) oil (1000mg per day)
Echinacea
Tea tree oil pessaries
At the end of three months you should reassess your condition and adjust your supplement programme accordingly.
Candida in the Digestive System
Candida can exist in other parts of the body other than the vagina.
For example, oral thrush is common in babies, and appears as white patches
on the inside of the mouth. Candida can also form in the intestines.
In the intestines, the yeast form of candida can become 'mycelial' (that, is, it forms root-like growths). These roots can penetrate the intestine walls, and cause the gut to 'leak'. Small pieces of undigested food then escape into the bloodstream. This condition is known as 'leaky gut syndrome', and is the result of an overwhelming infestation of candida in the body, known as 'candidiasis'.
Persistent vaginal thrush can be one of the symptoms of candidiasis, but other symptoms can include food cravings especially for sugar and bread, fatigue, a bloated stomach with excess flatulence, a 'spaced out' feeling, and becoming tipsy on a very small amount of alcohol. Both men and women can suffer from candidiasis.
If you suffer from these symptoms, you will need to take the candidiasis in hand and often food allergies need to be checked as well. To do this, you'll need expert advice.
A stool test, which can be organised by post, can be used to detect an overgrowth of yeast in the digestive system. The test also show shows the levels of beneficial bacteria in your body. But don't assume that because you have these symptoms, there is candida at the root. Many of my clients have believed they were suffering from candidiasis - even going to the extent of following an anti-candida diet for some time - before a stool test showed that a parasitic infestation rather than candida was at the root. The symptoms of both conditions are remarkably similar, so it is essential that you have the appropriate tests to get the correct treatment.
These tests will help you to assess your present condition and indicate any specific deficiencies you may have that need to be balanced.
Mineral Analysis Test with Supplement and Nutritional Assessment Programme)
Online Personalised Supplement Assessment Programme
Candida Test (Comprehensive Parasitology) (Stool Test)
Food/Allergy Intolerance Test
After three months you would then have a re-test in order to monitor your progress and adjust your supplement programme according to your new condition.
If you need help in obtaining any of the supplements, herbs or tests mentioned above, click, The Natural Health Practice. They can supply all of them for you online or if you prefer to talk to somebody first you can also order by mail order on the telephone. The products supplied by this company are always of the highest quality.
The section above forms part of a larger 9 page chapter on Thrush taken from my book,. In the rest of the chapter you will learn what the medical approaches to thrush are and how to combine them with the natural approach. This is called Integrated Medicine and is the way that healthier of the future is moving towards. You will also learn what medical tests will give you an accurate diagnosis of your condition and if you really need to have them. The medical treatments for thrush are then examined which can include looking at either drugs or surgery. Each treatment is then discussed and the pros and cons of the options explained. The Integrated Approach to thrush is considered in some detail so that if appropriate you can know how to combine the best of both conventional and natural medicine.
At the end of the chapter is a practical step by step summary of what you can do to help yourself.
If you would like to read the rest of this chapter click,Thrush e-book at The Natural Health Practiceand you will be given details of how you can download the whole chapter.
The contents of this site are for information only and are intended to assist readers in identifying symptoms and conditions they may be experiencing. This site is not intended to be a substitute for taking proper medical advice and should not be relied upon in this way. Always consult a qualified doctor or health practitioner, especially if you are pregnant, taking the pill or on any medication. Your situation will need to be looked at individually and you should not attempt to self treat. The author and publisher cannot accept responsibility for illness arising out of the failure to seek medical advice from a doctor.
The views expressed by third parties placing material on these pages are not representative of the views of the author or publisher. The Author and Publisher cannot monitor the content not produced by us and has not reviewed all the third party material published on this site and the Author and Publisher accept no liability whatsoever in relation to the content of third party material placed on these pages.
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