Oral Thrush in Asthma Patients

One of the groups of people who are at risk of developing oral thrush is asthmatics. The reason for this is not so much the health condition as a side effect of asthma medication. Most asthmatics need to use inhaled steroids and these medications can sometimes lead to oral thrush developing inside the mouth. If you have ever been to the pharmacy and the pharmacist has counseled you to rinse your mouth out thoroughly after using the inhaler, it is because they are trying to help you prevent oral thrush.

Oral thrush is caused by a proliferation of Candida albicans, which is a kind of yeast micro-organism, in the mouth. Most people have Candida in their bodies in some quantities and it is estimated that 50 per cent of people have some small amounts of Candida in their mouths. Problems occur when the Candida multiplies out of control for some reason and leads to the symptoms of oral thrush occurring. Generally oral thrush can be prevented through rinsing the mouth out and practicing good oral hygiene, however when using inhalers regularly it is common to see thrush develop.

Orally inhaled steroids will often impede the ability of the cells in the mouth to withstand infection. Steroids used over time may affect the immune system and then Candida can multiply. The stronger the inhalers or the more frequently they are used, the higher the chance is that you will see oral thrush symptoms at some point.

So what can you do to prevent oral thrush from appearing if you are forced to rely on steroidal inhalers for clear airways? Using a spacer when you take your medication is very effective. This device literally spaces out the medication in a chamber and allows you to breathe the medication in more effectively, thereby getting more of the medicine into your lungs and not landing on your tongue. Spacers however, can only be used for metered dose inhalers and not for the twist and suck dry powdered inhalers.

After using your inhaler you should rinse out your mouth, for extra effect you may choose to rinse with salt water. Making your dental hygiene a priority and using a natural mouthwash twice a day with your brushing routine can offer a further protection against developing oral thrush. If you do all of this and you find that you are still developing oral thrush as a result of your medication, then you should speak to your doctor about your options.