Candidiasis, or thrush, is one of the most common pathologies. The disease affects the external genitalia, the vaginal area and the oral cavity. It is provoked by microorganisms belonging to the category of fungi. Sometimes the disease is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms. However, knowing the features of the pathology, it can be recognized. How to determine thrush is described in sections of the article.
The effect of the immune system on the development of the infectious process
To date, this disease is common. Usually this problem is faced by the fairer sex. The fact is that the woman’s reproductive system undergoes significant changes in various periods of life. The puberty, menopause, gestation - all these processes affect the work of many organs. Including they lead to the restructuring of the immune system. Violations of its activity lead to infections. The disease can develop under the influence of fungi, which are constantly present in the body of any person. In the presence of adverse factors, the pathogen is activated. Many patients, especially representatives of the weaker sex, are interested in the question of how to determine thrush and what to do to eliminate it.
What factors increase the risk of disease?
Active reproduction of harmful microflora is due to poor work of the body's defenses or a decrease in immunity in a certain body system. Consequently, candidiasis does not occur due to fungi, but as a result of the inability to resist their activities.
The pathological process can be caused by:
- The influence of low temperatures.
- Bad habits.
- Wearing synthetic fabric underwear.
- The negative effects of gels, soaps for intimate hygiene.
- Emotional overstrain.
- The first intimacy.
- Intoxication or cancer pathology.
- Hematologic disease.
- Diabetes
- Problems with the thyroid gland, adrenal glands.
- The use of hormonal drugs, tablets to protect against conception.
- Chemotherapy.
- Menopause or pregnancy.
- Critical days.
- Infections in various organs.
Improper diet, abuse of desserts, changing climatic conditions or a sexual partner - all these circumstances also provoke an ailment. How to identify thrush in women? This question worries many. Indeed, the symptoms of candidiasis are often similar to the symptoms of other infections.
Manifestations of the disease in the weaker sex
In girls, the disease can lead to unpleasant consequences (pathology of the uterus, urinary organs, spontaneous abortion, inability to conceive). Therefore, with its signs, it is important to start therapy in a timely manner. To do this, you need to know how to determine thrush. The following symptoms are characteristic of the disease:
- Feeling of itching and burning in the genital area, which aggravates at night and during critical days. Sometimes such sensations can be caused by allergic reactions. However, there are other signs characteristic of candidiasis. They allow you to clearly understand the cause of itching and discomfort.
- Vaginal discharge, which has a curdled consistency and white color, often has a sour smell.
- Swelling and red tint of the mucous membranes of the genitals, the formation of cracks.
Candidiasis often causes discomfort when using the toilet and intimate contacts. During sex, night rest, and hygiene, the amount of discharge often increases. In the absence of adequate therapy, the infectious process affects other organs, for example, the intestines, bladder. The disease acquires a chronic course, and during monthly bleeding, the patient is worried about exacerbations.
Features of pathology in men
In healthy men who do not have addictions, adhere to the correct diet, lead an active lifestyle and are distinguished by strong immunity, candidiasis, as a rule, does not occur. However, not every young man is able to boast of such qualities. If a woman has an ailment without pronounced symptoms, her partner has a high probability of infection. The development of the disease in men is facilitated by:
- Emotional overstrain.
- Diabetes mellitus of the first or second type.
- Anemia.
- Cancer pathologies, chemotherapy.
- Vitamin deficiency, malnutrition.
- The effect of low temperatures or overheating.
- Taking medications containing hormones, using antibiotics.
- Excess kilograms, metabolic disorder.
How to identify thrush in men? The manifestations of pathology are described in the next section.
The main signs of the disease in the stronger sex
Common symptoms include:
- Swelling and red tint of the head of the penis, foreskin.
- Discomfort when an erection occurs during sex.
- Unpleasant sensations in the process of urine output.
- Burning and itching in the penis.
- The formation on the surface of the penis of a light gray film with an acidic smell.
When the indicated symptoms appear, a man should consult a specialist and undergo an examination to make an accurate diagnosis.
Causes and manifestations of pathology in childhood
In medical practice, candidiasis is often found among minor patients. Infection can occur in infants up to a year, and in adolescents. In adolescence, pathology is usually diagnosed in girls.
The following factors can contribute to the development of the disease:
- Poor work of the body's defenses.
- The birth of a baby ahead of time.
- Frequent respiratory infections.
- The period of appearance of the first teeth.
- Antibiotics.
- Changes in hormonal balance in adolescents.
Candidiasis in minors can affect the oral cavity and genital area. How to determine thrush in children?
Attention should be paid to such signs:
- The presence of a white film on the surface of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nervousness, crying in infants and young children.
- Red tint and swelling of the mucous membranes.
- With candidiasis affecting the genitals, there is a feeling of itching, discharge, having a white color and a curdled consistency, tissue swelling.
Parents should know how to determine the thrush in order to show the child in time to the doctor and take measures to combat the disease.
Therapy
With a mild form of oral candidiasis in infants, it is recommended to treat the affected areas with gauze. It is moistened in a solution prepared from a teaspoon of soda dissolved in a glass of warm water. This procedure is carried out every two to three hours. In more complex cases, it is necessary to lubricate the oral cavity with agents that include clotrimazole.
Persons of puberty and adults who are diagnosed with thrush of the genital organs are prescribed medications to combat the fungus. These include:
- "Terzhinan."
- Pimafucin.
- Diflucan.
- "Canison."
Ways to prevent ailment
Answers to questions about how to determine thrush in the mouth in children and how to recognize pathology in adults are about the same. Symptoms include scarlet color and swelling of the mucous membranes, a feeling of discomfort during a meal, the appearance of a white coating. In adults, this form of candidiasis usually develops due to poor immune function due to tumors, HIV, tuberculosis and other ailments.
Measures aimed at preventing pathology include:
- Regular hygiene procedures to maintain a clean mouth using paste, dental floss, and brush.
- Periodic examination by a dentist.
- Refusal to use cigarettes.
- Limit food and drink containing yeast.
- Caring for the health of the digestive tract.
- Taking vitamin supplements.
In order to avoid infection by an ailment of the genitals, it is necessary to refuse to wear synthetic underwear, casual and unprotected intimate relationships.
It is important for women who have a baby to know how to determine the thrush in order to see a doctor in time and start therapy.
How to distinguish candidiasis from inflammation of the bladder?
The pathology in question has similar symptoms with other infections. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the differences between ailments. Does the patient have cystitis or thrush? How to determine what this ailment is?
Inflammation in the bladder is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen.
- Discharges of a yellowish tint with blood fragments that are found in urine.
- Pain when using the toilet.
Knowing how to determine thrush at home, you can clearly distinguish the above signs from the symptoms of candidiasis. But the presence of one ailment does not exclude the presence of another. And if cystitis occurs against a background of fungal infection, the patient needs treatment with several types of drugs. The necessary medications are prescribed after diagnosis.
Perhaps the person suffering from the disease will be able to determine the thrush at home. Nevertheless, in any case, it is necessary to undergo examinations (smear, laboratory analysis of urine). These medical measures will allow you to choose an adequate therapy.