New Vaccines in the Pipeline 2020
Remedies For Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that affects your mouth, throat, or esophagus. It occurs when candida — a fungus that's found in your mouth and digestive tract — multiplies. White patches similar to a rash appear in the mouth, on the tongue and cheeks, and in the throat.
Oral thrush can sometimes cause throat pain and problems swallowing if it affects your esophagus. (Photo Credit: Science Photo Library/Getty Images)
Anyone can develop thrush. Candida, or yeast, is responsible for diaper rash as well as vaginal yeast infections in women. Oral thrush is most common in babies, toddlers, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. People who smoke or wear dentures are also more prone to developing oral thrush.
Oral thrush symptoms in adults
Oral thrush has different symptoms depending on your age and the type of infection, including:
Oral thrush symptoms in infants and nursing people
If your child has oral thrush, you'll see the same thick, white patches on their tongue as well as in their mouth and throat. Other symptoms of this condition in babies include:
Symptoms of esophageal thrush
If the yeast overgrowth has reached your esophagus, you may have throat pain and trouble swallowing.
Oral thrush clears up within a few weeks with the proper antifungal treatment. The condition may be harder to treat if you have a weakened immune system from HIV infection, cancer, or diabetes.
Treatment is designed to stop the fungus from spreading, but it's also important to determine the underlying causes. This can prevent future infections and keep yeast under control.
Oral thrush treatment for babies and nursing parents
Your baby's doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication, which you'll apply several times a day to the inside of your baby's mouth with an applicator.
If your baby gets oral thrush while breastfeeding, place pads on your breasts to prevent the infection from spreading to your clothing. Avoid pads with plastic barriers, which can cause yeast to grow. Wear a clean bra every day and talk to your doctor to learn how to clean bottles, pacifiers, and breast pumps.
If you have a mild case of oral thrush after a course of antibiotics, consider eating yogurt or taking an over-the-counter (OTC) acidophilus pill. Probiotics help repopulate the "good" bacteria in your body.
Topical antifungals
Doctors usually treat serious cases of thrush with antifungal medications. They're available as tablets, lozenges, or liquids that you swish around in your mouth before swallowing. Common medications include:
The course of treatment depends on your age and the cause of the fungal infection. A course of medication lasts from 10 to 14 days.
Besides medicine, home remedies can ease oral thrush pain and help you get better faster.
Apple cider vinegar
Studies show that apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties, which makes it suitable for treating thrush. Be sure to dilute it so it won't burn your mouth. Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water, swish it in your mouth for about a minute, then spit it out.
Coconut oil pulling for oral thrush
People have used oil pulling for centuries to treat different conditions, including oral diseases. It involves swishing a tablespoon of edible oil, such as coconut oil, in your mouth for 15-20 minutes and then spitting it out. It works by trapping toxins and pathogens and removing them from your mouth. Plus, certain oils have antifungal properties that fight candida, the fungus that causes thrush. Experts suggest oil pulling three times a day. You should also rinse your mouth with water afterward, and brush and floss your teeth. Kids younger than 5 should avoid oil pulling.
Other home remedies for thrush
Here are some other home remedies for thrush that you can use as a mouth rinse:
Practicing good oral hygiene
Take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Don't share your toothbrush with anyone, and replace it often until the infection clears. Disinfect your dentures, as fungus-covered dentures can cause reinfection. Talk to your dentist to learn the best way to clean your appliances.
If your immune system is not compromised, oral thrush should resolve within 2 weeks. If you are immunocompromised or have an underlying medical condition, call your doctor. Here are some symptoms that may be warning signs:
Seek medical care if you think your child has oral thrush and they:
A candida infection may indicate other diseases or medical problems. Talk to your doctor to set up any additional treatment plans.
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that affects your mouth, throat, and esophagus. It is caused by candida overgrowth, and its symptoms include white patches, dry mouth, loss of taste, and throat pain. It's common in babies, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Treatment involves antifungal medications, good oral hygiene, and home remedies such as apple cider vinegar and coconut oil pulling. Serious cases of oral thrush may require prescription medication. It's important to talk to your doctor, especially if symptoms continue or get worse. Good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing, are crucial for preventing and recovering from thrush.
What To Know About Bleeding Nipples
Causes of bleeding nipples vary, including nursing, infection, or irritation. While it is more common in females, males can also experience bleeding nipples.
Some causes of bleeding nipples relate to nursing or the milk ducts. Other causes include irritation, infection, and less frequently, specific diseases.
In this article, we examine several causes of bleeding nipples and the symptoms that may accompany them. We also consider when a person should see a doctor and what treatment approaches may be available.
Nursing is a common cause of nipple pain. Some people experience severe irritation when nursing, which can sometimes result in bleeding nipples.
Not all nipple pain occurs immediately after giving birth. One older 2015 study found that over one-third of people were still having difficulties with nipple pain at 2 weeks and 1 month after birth.
Despite being a common problem for people who nurse, there is a lack of research into treatments for nipple pain as a result of nursing.
Some experts believe that nipple pain occurs as a result of poor positioning during nursing or babies latching incorrectly to the nipple. One study indicated that teaching babies between 4 days and 12 months old how to latch correctly stopped breast pain in 65% of cases.
However, researchers still need to do more investigations into how positioning affects nipple pain.
Nipple pain while nursing can also occur due to the following:
Where friction causes nipple pain, applying vitamin A ointment or highly purified anhydrous lanolin may alleviate the pain.
The same study highlights that lying down while nursing a baby with palatal anomalies, such as cleft palate, might be beneficial. However, scientists need to carry out more studies, as the researchers only found this indication in one case.
Learn more about nursing.
Thrush, or oral candida infection, is an oral infection that some infants might transfer to people via nursing. It is an oral fungal infection in infants, making it a potential problem for people who nurse. Nipple thrush is not nearly as common as people used to think. When a person does have nipple thrush, it can cause severe nipple irritation and possibly bleeding nipples.
Babies that have an oral candida infection will typically have white patches in their mouth and a thick white coating on the tongue that does not rub off easily.
A person with nipple thrush can experience symptoms, such as:
Treatment for a thrush infection includes practicing proper hygiene, changing the diet to reduce sugars and refined carbohydrates, and eating a variety of vegetables and nutrients. In some cases, a lactation specialist or doctor may recommend antifungal medication.
Learn more about thrush.
Mastitis is inflammation in the breast milk ducts, usually caused by an infection. Mastitis is most common in people who are nursing, but it can occur in those who are not nursing.
Risk factors include:
Treating mastitis in people who are nursing may involve:
Learn more about mastitis.
Sometimes, problems with the milk ducts cause bleeding nipples.
Conditions include:
Duct ectasiaEctasia is a noncancerous condition that occurs when the breast milk ducts become wider. Milk ducts sometimes become blocked, and this can lead to infection.
Ectasia is most common in people who are entering menopause.
Other potential symptoms include:
People can sometimes treat ectasia with warm compresses. Ectasia can also occur due to an infection, such as mastitis. If this is the cause, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
DermatitisDermatitis can also cause bleeding nipples. This refers to inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis may appear as an itchy, scaly, red rash on either the nipple or the darker area surrounding the nipple, the areola.
Irritation, infection, or allergy can also cause dermatitis.
Objects that can trigger dermatitis include irritating fabrics, detergents, and soaps. Avoiding scented products and choosing hypoallergenic products without chemicals, perfumes, and dyes can help prevent symptoms of nipple dermatitis.
Many forms of dermatitis fall under the category of eczema. Nipple eczema most often occurs in people with a history of eczema, but nursing mothers can also develop this condition.
Learn more about ways to treat eczema here.
Intraductal papillomaThese harmless tumors found in the breast milk ducts are a common cause of bleeding from one or both nipples.
Often, intraductal papilloma appears as either one lump near the nipple or several smaller lumps spread across the breast.
These tumors can appear in people of any age but are most common in people ages between 35 and 55 years old. They can also occur in men but are much less common.
Intraductal tumors are more likely to develop according to individual risk factors, such as:
While uncommon if bleeding nipples are the only symptom, sometimes bleeding nipples can be a symptom of cancer.
Other symptoms that might suggest cancer include:
A rare condition associated with breast cancer, Paget's disease has symptoms that are similar to eczema or psoriasis. A red, scaly rash will appear on the nipple, and bleeding may occur. The nipple may be sore and can become scabby. This condition appears in 1 to 4% of breast cancer cases.
If a doctor suspects that a person has Paget's disease, they will order a biopsy.
Learn more about Paget's disease.
Anyone experiencing new symptoms should see a doctor, particularly if they come on quickly. When a person has bleeding nipples, they should see a doctor, especially if the symptoms are painful or if they have other symptoms, such as a lump in the breast.
While lumps are not usually serious, it is important to see a doctor for an examination.
Here are some frequently asked questions about bleeding nipples.
Should I still nurse if my nipples are bleeding?While possibly uncomfortable, it is generally safe to continue nursing a baby with bleeding nipples. It is important to get help as soon as possible if nipples are sore and bleeding while nursing, to assess and correct the underlying problem and to avoid complications such as infections. A lactation consultant or nursing counselor may be able to help. They might recommend taking time off to rest the breast and feed the baby expressed breast milk instead.
How long does it take for bleeding nipples to heal?Cracked or bleeding nipples may take a few days, or possibly a few weeks to heal.
Why am I leaking blood from my nipples when pregnant?Leaking discharge from nipples during pregnancy is common. However, if the discharge contains blood, speak to a midwife or doctor. Rusty pipe syndrome is a condition in which many pregnant or post-partum people leak bloody nipple discharge, and it is a rare but harmless phenomenon.
Why do my nipples leak before my period?Hormonal times, such as before a period, can lead to nipple discharge. The causes are usually nothing serious and are mainly a product of hormone changes. However, if it continues and causes concern, speak with a doctor.
A few different underlying conditions can cause bleeding nipples. These include nursing, irritation, allergy, infection, and tumors.
If nursing causes bleeding nipples, try to find a way to improve the baby's latch and seek support from a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor.
If an allergy is causing the problem, a doctor may recommend a steroid cream. In the case of an infection, doctors typically prescribe antibiotics.
Staffing Crisis At Federal Prisons Highlighted In Oregon
An inmate at a federal prison in Oregon faked a suicide attempt to obtain medical treatment for a serious infection because health care staffing levels were so low that patients were forced to wait days, or even weeks, for basic care, an independent watchdog found.
The work force shortages at the prison, Federal Correctional Institution, Sheridan, reflect a broader staffing crisis at dozens of facilities run by the Bureau of Prisons, according to a report released Wednesday by Michael E. Horowitz, inspector general of the Justice Department. It has spurred long waiting lists for essential medical and dental services, mental health care and drug treatment at Sheridan, mirroring similar problems at federal facilities across the country.
The minimum- and medium-security prison, just outside the state capital Salem, is emblematic of the worsening conditions at the federal prisons bureau, which operates more than 120 facilities — many in need of serious repairs and struggling to fill hundreds of high-stress, relatively low-paying jobs.
"When we go in, we are getting staff telling us, in a very straightforward way, how concerned they are about what's going on at their facilities," Mr. Horowitz said in an interview. "We heard repeatedly from staff, including corrections officers, who were so exhausted and so understaffed they couldn't do their jobs."
A Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Investigators made two unannounced inspection visits to Sheridan in November and December 2023, when they found a widespread lack of services intended to address the fundamental needs of nearly 1,500 male prisoners in three different divisions. They also uncovered significant gaps in security caused by a concurrent shortage of corrections officers.
Most alarming was a growing backlog of diagnostic tests. Inspectors found that the institution had a backlog of 725 orders for blood draws and urine samples, along with 274 pending X-ray orders. The situation caused "medical conditions to go undiagnosed," the report said, and an on-site physician acknowledged that the backlog prevented him from monitoring the liver and kidney function of patients who had two of the most common ailments found among incarcerated people, diabetes and hepatitis C.
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