
	IBS Info
	Acupuncture
	Best probiotics
	Cleansing
	Endoscopy
	Abdominal Pain
	Antibiotics
	Migraine
	Sex
	Constipation Cause
	Doctor
	Drugs
	Overweight
	Reaction antibiotics
	Treatment Yeast
	Weight Loss
	Wheat free diet
	Hereditary
	Living with it
	Mental Attitude
	Nutrition
	Paxil
	Reducing excess wind
	Remedies for anxiety related IBS
	Rifaximin
	Side ache, Back ache
	Stopping IBS
	Wellbutrin
	Whey Protein, Colitis
	Will Omega 3 fish oil help
	Types of IBS
	Bloody stool
	Chamomile
	Depression
	Diagnosing
	Halitosis
	Palpitations
	Dysthymia
	IBS friendly restaurants
	Fish oil treatment
	Symptoms not associated with IBS
	More...

IBS Treatment Yeast

Anyone who has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome will know that there is no standard treatment option that is suitable for all IBS sufferers. IBS is a complex condition in that there is no single identifiable cause of the symptoms so IBS is usually diagnosed when medical tests have eliminated other potentially more serious conditions.

Most people will be advised to eat more fibre, drink more water and reduce their stress levels as well as find ways to cope with their most troublesome symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain. This may involve taking laxatives, antispasmodic medicines and stool softeners.

However, any effective treatment for IBS will ultimately depend on the particular cause in the individual and as so little is known about the causes, there is still a lot of trial and error involved in finding relief. Several factors have been identified that are known to play a significant role in triggering the symptoms of IBS in some people and one of these is yeast.

The only really conclusive way to test for yeast infection is by a comprehensive stool analysis or CSA. This will identify the amount of friendly and harmful bacteria present in the gut as well as the presence of yeast (Candida).

What is Candida albicans?

Candida albicans is a common type of yeast that is normally present in the small intestine. If there is an imbalance in the friendly bacteria in the gut then this can lead to an overgrowth of yeast, which can lead to troublesome symptoms.

When we take antibiotics for example, not only do they kill the harmful bacteria that is causing an infection, they kill of the friendly bacteria too which will allow the yeast to grow unchecked. This is why many people suffer from a yeast infection after taking a course of antibiotics. There are other possible causes of a yeast infection too and these include alcohol, use of the contraceptive pill, pregnancy, eating too much sugar, stress and an impaired immune system.

Some of the more common symptoms of yeast overgrowth include:

A feeling of being “hungover”
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Bloating
Nausea
Fatigue
Muscle pains
Headaches
Irritability and anxiety
Depression and mood swings

Treating an overgrowth of yeast in the gut

As evidence suggests that yeast overgrowth can be linked with IBS in some people, treatment involves making some dietary changes and correcting any imbalances in the delicate microflora in the gut.

It would be advisable to avoid alcohol, sugar, breads and cakes, sweets, mushrooms, dairy products, tea and coffee, carbonated drinks and some fruits. You could also try increasing the amount of friendly bacteria in the gut by taking yoghurts and drinks containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria Bifidus in order to inhibit the growth of yeast.

IBS is notoriously difficult to treat mainly because there can be combination of factors involved in triggering the symptoms and these will vary significantly from person to person. If you suspect your IBS is caused by yeast overgrowth, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist for expert advice.