Thrush -- what is it? Who gets it? What's it all about? May you never have to experience it.

Thrush impacts people with compromised immune systems: people on chemotherapy, babies, the elderly. Thrush is an overgrowth of candida: yeast. It is a yeast infection of the mouth. This yeast is present all the time in our mouth, intestine, on our skin. However, when it is out of balance it can cause thrush. Antibiotics can cause this.

For me, my first symptom is a film or coating on my tongue that causes me to crave sweets and cold creamy things. Then I start craving acidic and carbonated things that seem like they would take away the coating on my tongue. As thrush progresses it causes a white growth on your tongue, tonsils, potentially on your throat and inside your cheeks. Then the remedy is prescription meds. The most common is lozenges or rinses that are used multiple times a day for 10-14 days. Alternately there are meds that treat yeast systemically.

The symptoms can range from mild and aggravating to irritating and painful. It can be difficult to figure out what to eat and it can be uncomfortable to eat. If you've recently recovered from thrush, get a new toothbrush. Generally, thrush is not easily contageous.

I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.