Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
A
anonymous581817 Asked April 2019

My mother was in the hospital for dehydration and while there got Thrush. She said her throat burns and hurts when she swallows. Any advice?

Now she is refusing any food. (she is also on thickened foods- Honey thick).


She is back in the nursing home (she has dementia) and has only had one dose of diflucan. Has anyone had any experience with this and also of the not eating because of it.


She needs to gain weight because she is very frail and can't afford to go too many days without any food or drink.


How many days does this usually take to go away and any more information on this would be appreciated if you had a loved one with it.

Shane1124 Apr 2019
There is an oral medication for thrush (an opportunistic fungal infection secondary often to being on antibiotics a long time). It comes as a Trouche(sp?) which is a pill you let dissolve in the mouth.

Try to avoid acidic foods that my burn her throat when going down.

If usually takes 7-10 days to clear up but a long time to reverse the effects of not wanting to eat or drink because of throat pain. Offer your mom supplements like Ensure or Boost , Glucerna if she is diabetic.

Heather10 Apr 2019
As someone else mentioned. Gentian violet is a decent remedy with far fewer side effects than prescription drugs. Probiotics are helpful, too.

Here is a link to an site with both medications and natural remedies for thrush.

https://draxe.com/oral-thrush/

Here is a list of natural remedies for oral Thrush.

1. Cinnamon 
Studies have shown that people who supplement cinnamon into their diets generally suffer from less candida overgrowth than those who don’t. According to a Brazilian study, of the many health benefits of cinnamon, one is its anticandidal compounds that can be effectively utilized for the control of thrush. (11)

2. Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
Drinking a cup of unsweetened cranberry juice creates an acidic environment that makes it difficult for candida to thrive.

3. Fermented Vegetables
Fermented vegetables strengthen the immune system and boost microflora in the body. Kimchi, pickles and sauerkraut provide the body with probiotics and help to restore the balance of bacteria in the mouth and body. Regular consumption of fermented vegetables also improves the immune system.

4. Warm Starchy Vegetables
Vegetables like sweet potatoes, yams, peas, mung beans, lentils, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots and beets are able to support the spleen in clearing candida from the body.

5. Cultured Dairy
Adding cultured dairy and probiotic foods to your diet, like goat milk kefir and probiotic yogurt, can effectively kill the candida in the body by boosting probiotics and helping to restore the balance of bacteria.

6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and the combination of lauric acid and caprylic acid found in coconut oil kills off harmful candida through ingestion and topical application. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that coconut oil was active against species of candida at 100 percent concentration compared to fluconazole, a common antifungal medication prescribed to patients with candida overgrowth. (12)
Coconut oil pulling is one of the best ways to promote a healthy mouth. According to the Indian Journal of Dental Research, oil pulling detoxifies the oral cavity and creates a clean, antiseptic environment. (13)
Simply swish 1–2 tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth and between your teeth for 10–20 minutes, making sure that don’t swallow any of the oil because it contains bacteria and toxins. Spit out the oil in the trash and immediately rinse your mouth out with warm water and brush your teeth.

ADVERTISEMENT


JoAnn29 Apr 2019
What I read said that Thrush is caused by a low immune system. A probiotic may help and there are mouth washes. I am very surprised the hospital didn't send her back to the NH with somekind of order. I would talk to the DON and find out why nothing is being done for Mom.

Here is what I found

Oral probiotics may help heal your oral and gut microbiome naturally. Oral thrush(candidiasis) is a common fungal infection. ... One study showed that 30% of physicians prescribe Nystatin for oral thrush in infants without even examining them. Medication will usually cure thrush, even if only for a while.

gladimhere Apr 2019
One of my kids had thrush as a youngun'. It was treated with "Genetian violet" I think. A purple dye that of course turned her mouth purple, but seemed to have helped.

cwillie Apr 2019
I read your question last night but didn't have anything to recommend, I'll bump your post up so others can see it.

My brother had thrush when he had chemo, I remember him using some king of mouthwash. Ask if sucking on numbing lozenges before meals might help. And Plain yogurt is always good for yeast infections, I think it would be cool and soothing in her mouth too.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter