Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common but poorly understood disorder that causes a variety of bowel symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, gassiness and cramping. While these symptoms may be caused by a number of different bowel diseases, IBS is usually diagnosed after more serious problems are ruled out.

The severity of the disorder varies from person to person. Some patients experience intermittent symptoms that are just mildly annoying, while others may have such severe daily bowel problems. In addition, symptoms may change over time, such a that an individual may have severe symptoms for a several weeks and then feel well for months, or even years. Most people are never cured of IBS, but the disorder is not related to and does not progress to any other disease, such as ulcerative colitis or colon cancer.

Dietary intervention has been the most effective method of keeping IBS at bay but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that anti-candida treatment is effective as well.

References:

Addolorato G, Stefanini GF, Capristo E, Caputo F, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini G. Anxiety and depression in adult untreated celiac subjects and in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease: a personality "trait" or a reactive illness. Hepatogastroenterology 1996;43(12):1513-1517.

Inflammatory bowel diseases

Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammation and ulceration process that occurs in the deep layers of the intestinal wall. It is considered to be an autoimmune disease.

There is a strong genetic component in the predisposition for Crohn's disease but it is unknown what exactly starts it. According to some reports Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection is considered to be an important culprit. It is possible that the main, intestine-related symptoms are caused primarily by bacteria and secondarily by candida, while the associated complications are most likely caused by candida.

Traditional treatment for Crohn's disease (steroids) and antibiotics, create conditions that favor the spread of candida and the frequent relapse of the disease, despite treatment, also suggests the involvement of candida.

Ulcerative colitis
The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and rectal bleeding. Accompanying symptoms are fatigue, malnutrition, arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, or diseases of the liver.

It is believed that ulcerative colitis is started by viral or bacterial infection of the intestine that results in the development of an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system attacks the intestinal lining. Please note here the parallel between the development of colitis and the development of candidiasis.

Suggested treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications (that are likely to worsen the candida overgrowth) and dietary restrictions (primarily of dairy products), that are likely to be helpful, but the disease often relapses after these treatments.

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