Saunders Respiratory Practice

Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used to manage inflammatory respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A common side effect of these medications is oral thrush, which is a fungal infection caused by Candida species. The reason oral thrush occurs is that corticosteroids can alter the local immune response in the oral cavity, reducing the ability to fight off fungal infections. Additionally, inhaled corticosteroids may lead to changes in the normal flora of the mouth, allowing for overgrowth of fungi.

Preventive measures against oral thrush include rinsing the mouth with water or using a mouthwash after inhalation. This practice helps to remove any residual medication from the mouth and throat and minimizes the risk of developing oral thrush while still allowing for effective treatment of respiratory conditions.