There are different antibiotics with different effects.
However, gut bacteria has many roles including protecting us from pathogens and helping to actually create nutrients the body needs.
There are some five hundred different gut bacteria.
A common problem in taking some antibitoics long term is c-diff infection.
Candida is a normally found in the gut and there is no evidence whatsoever for candida overgrowth syndrome.
There are certainly risks in taking anitbiotics long term.
One reason why they may help IBS is just by killing gut bacteria in general which produces less gasses from fermentation and hence puts less gas pressure on the sensitive colon in IBS. Some people with IBS however are not helped by them and actually can cause more pain.
I will post some info on gut bacteria, but just on Candida, because there is a lot of false information on it.
This is long but important
Many people believe there IBS is caused by a supposed condition called "Candida OverGrowth Syndrome" This condition has not been shown to exist in over twenty years however.
There has also been twenty years of very important IBS research in the mean time.
First
Candida Center for disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_li...idiasis_gi.html
Additional reading CDC
Welcome to Doctor Fungus, your on-line reference to all things mycological!!
The Official Website of the Mycoses Study Group
Human Mycoses
Fungi cause a wide variety of diseases in humans, and the areas we discuss are listed below. You may also want to refer to the Infectious Disease Society of America-Mycoses Study Group (IDSA-MSG) Practice Guidelines for treating invasive mycoses. These cover aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidiodomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, and sporotrichosis and are available at the IDSA website.
Introduction to Mycoses
Diseases and Infestations Produced by the Fungi
Mycology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of fungi. In this section of the site we provide discussions of the ways that fungi can cause disease or infestations of humans, animals, plants, and inanimate environmental surfaces.
Site Development Status: At present, the web pages are only developed for the diseases of people, and those pages are best developed for candidiasis. But, we are actively developing content in the other areas!
Chronic Candidiasis
"Candida OverGrowth Syndrome"
Overview
It has been proposed that the asymptomatic colonization with Candida might be associated with a variety of symptoms and cause a "Candida Hypersensitivity Syndrome" [599] This concept was popularized by William Crook, MD in his book The Yeast Connection [491]. Previously, C.O. Truss, a physician from Birmingham, Alabama had proposed the existence of such a malady [2257, 2259]. Other names that have been given to this presumed condition include:
Candida-Related Complex
Polysystemic Candidiasis
Chronic Candidiasis (This term should not be confused with Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis)
The syndrome is theoretically due to an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the gastrointestinal tract or in association with mucous membranes. The syndrome is said to occur in connection with some or all of the following risk factors:
Use of broad spectrum antibiotics
Use of oral contraceptives
Ingestion of diets rich in yeast-containing foods or readily utilizable carbohydrates.
Pregnancy
Tremendous attention by public media and health magazines has created a large body of uncritical publications on this topic [399, 486, 490, 2046, 2256, 2257, 2258, 2259, 2459]. There are no rigorous data to support these concepts. The whole idea is based on historical controls and no working definition has been ever assessed [220]. Although brief communications by the proponents have appeared in major journals [483, 484, 485, 487, 488, 489, 492], the actual studies performed by these physicians do not appear to have been subjected to peer review. The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology published a position paper in 1986 stating that the concept was "speculative and unproven" [84]. Later, a carefully designed study on the topic by Dismukes et al. demonstrated that the condition does not appear to be reproducible or verifiable [599].
Clinical Manifestations
There is a broad range of symptoms that have been associated with this syndrome. They can be classified in the following groups, although it is not clear how many or which of them are required to make a diagnosis nor is there scientific data linking these multiple clinical manifestations with Candida albicans overgrowth [220, 262]:
Vaginal. Recurrent episodes of Candida vaginitis associated with the classic symptoms of pruritus, burning and abnormal discharge.
Gastrointestinal. Heartburn, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
Respiratory allergy. Rhinitis, sneezing and/or wheezing.
Central nervous system. Anxiety, depression, memory deficits and/or loss of ability to concentrate.
Menstrual abnormalities. Severe premenstrual tension and/or menstrual irregularities.
Other Systemic Symptoms. Fatigue, headache and/or irritability.
Specific Diagnostic Strategies
The proponents of the existence of this syndrome base their diagnosis on the clinical picture previously discussed [490, 491, 2459]. There is no laboratory test that allows a clear identification of patients affected with this presumed disorder. Actually, "no clear definition of the disease has ever been advanced" [220]. Considering these facts, it is impossible to set criteria to establish and identify patients affected with this supposed disease.
From a practical viewpoint, we recommend that all women with recurrent vaginitis be carefully evaluated for possible causative factors. Patients with more general complaints should receive a general physical examination. A CBC, general serum chemistries (including liver enzymes), and thyroid studies should be checked to eliminate the possibility of an anemia, subclinical hepatitis, and so forth. Finally, Renfro et al. reported that approximately two-thirds of patients with chronic fatigue had an underlying psychiatric diagnosis [1893].
Treatment
Proponents of this syndrome have recommended such therapies as:
Long-term therapy with antifungal agents at increasing doses until resolution of symptoms. Oral and usually vaginal nystatin are recommended. Other azoles, such as ketoconazole have been also used [262].
Diet modification including restriction of sugar and other simple carbohydrates [487].
Candida allergy shots [220].
Avoidance of mouldy environments [220].
The value of these therapies is unknown. Dismukes et al. conducted a prospective double-blind study to assess the impact of antifungal therapy on this condition [599]. This study compared oral and vaginal nystatin with placebo in 42 premenopausal women with the presumed diagnosis of chronic candidiasis. The remarkable finding of this study was that nystatin did not "reduce systemic or psychological symptoms more than placebo did "[599]. One of the major proponents of the syndrome, Doctor William Crook criticized the study by saying that nystatin is no more than one of the components of the "comprehensive and multimodal therapy" required for this condition [487]. The same author agreed on the urgent need for more scientific studies on the topic. However, a recently done and detailed Medline search on the topic yielded only the data that we have discussed.
Chronic Candidiasis FAQ
We often receive inquiries about the diagnosis and treatment of chronic candidiasis. Here is our FAQ list:
How can I decide if I have chronic candidiasis? Answer: We don't know. The syndrome has never been clearly defined and a workable diagnostic approach has never been put forth. While we have no doubt that there are individuals who suffer from some (or all) of the symptoms listed above, we are not aware of any testing procedure that can link these symptoms to a candidal infection.
My doctor cultured Candida from my stool. What does this mean? Answer: Candida spp. are frequent asymptomatic colonizers of the skin and bowel. Such cultures are of little significance unless you are critically ill in an ICU or are receiving cancer chemotherapy.
I took _______ (name of drug) or I altered my diet to include (or exclude) _______ (name of food) and now I feel better. Doesn't that mean I have (had) chronic candidiasis? Answer: The most common form of this question is "I took fluconazole and now I feel better--does this mean I had chronic candidiasis?" While we're glad you feel better, response to fluconazole is not a diagnostic tool. The various antifungal drugs have effects that go beyond the fungi (for example, fluconazole interacts with the enzyme systems of people, not just of fungi) and many diseases have a natural course of progression and regression. Similar concepts apply to changes in diet. If something makes you feel better, we're delighted for you. We just don't know what it means.
I still really think I might have chronic candidiasis. What should I do? Answer: At the risk of being repetitive, we'll say it again: We don't know of any useful approaches to diagnosing or treating chronic candidiasis. You should see a competent physician and be checked for the things that we do know how to diagnose (see discussion above). If these tests are negative, then we have nothing too specific to offer other than sympathy. We are not denying your symptoms. Rather, we honestly don't know what to do about them. If you can identify something that makes you feel better, then we'll cheer for you!
Is "yeast" the same as Candida? Answer: The term "yeast" is relatively imprecise. Medical mycologists use this term to describe fungi that reproduce predominantly by budding or fission. There are many genera of fungi that fit in this category. Beer and bread makers use the term to refer to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Doctors sometimes use the term "yeast infection" to refer to Candida spp. and its diseases. For example, yeast vaginitis is the colloquial phrase for candidal vaginitis.
http://www.doctorfungus.org/mycoses/human/...Candidiasis.htm
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy has issued this paper on Allergy testing and treatments. 2007
Unorthodox Techniques for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergy, Asthma and Immune Disorders
"INAPPROPRIATE TESTING
Chronic Candidiasis
Use: Treatment of a variety of ailments including allergy, irritable bowel, food allergy and intolerance, autoimmunity, arthritis and psychological conditions.
Method: This approach is based on the concept that imbalance of gut flora results in overgrowth of Candida albicans within the gut. Release of fungal toxins results in a variety of symptoms including fatigue, arthritis, irritable bowel, food intolerance as well as psychological symptoms. These toxins weaken the immune system, predisposing to further symptoms from ingested foods and toxins. Treatment centres on dietary supplements, administration of antifungal drugs such as nystatin, and restriction of "Candida friendly" foods such as those containing sugars, yeast or molds.
Evidence: Candida is a normal gut organism, and immune responses (antibodies, cell mediated responses) to this organism are both expected and observed in healthy controls as well as those allegedly suffering from this condition. There is no evidence of overgrowth of Candida or altered immune responses to this organism in patients complaining of this syndrome. There is neither a scientific rationale nor published evidence that elimination of Candida with diets or anti-fungal therapy is useful for management.
Anti-Candida diet: Treatment concentrates on avoidance of "Candida friendly" foods such as those contain sugars, yeast or molds, dietary supplements, and administration of antifungal drugs.
Evidence: no evidence
Comment: There is neither a scientific rationale nor published evidence that elimination of Candida with diets or anti-fungal therapy is useful for the management of any disorder. Wheat and dairy free diets may benefit the small proportion of infants with eczema allergic to these foods, and may assist patients with other disorders such as lactose intolerance, coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
Conventional diet modification
The major factors distinguishing conventional from unorthodox dietary approaches is that the former are (a) always characterized by an individualized approach, ((IMG:http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) based on conventional medical testing when an immune mechanisms is involved, © conducted short-term under close dietetic and medical supervision to minimize the risk of malnutrition, and (d) followed by challenges to identify avoidable triggers. There are three broad clinical groups in which this approach is used:
"Tests for 'dysbiosis'
Use: Diagnosis of food sensitivity / allergy and other non-specific symptoms
Method: Some laboratories offer pathology tests including stool bacterial/chemical analysis, urine metabolite profiles, intestinal permeability assays, trace metal analysis, Candida antibody / cellular proliferation assays and blood / urine fatty acid and amino acid profiles for assessment of "dysbiosis". The concept of 'dysbiosis' states that there is a balance of 'good' versus 'bad' bacteria in the bowel of each person, that imbalances result in disease, and that this can be assessed by various metabolic and bacteriological measurements. Such tests are often used by unorthodox practitioners as a rationale to guide (a) megadose nutritional supplementation; ((IMG:http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) 'probiotic' and/or antibiotic therapy; or © dietary modifications. These treatments are promoted as a means of restoring a 'healthy' balance of bowel flora.
Evidence: There is no sound evidence to support the notion of 'dysbiosis as a cause of allergic diseases or related clinical conditions. The clinical validity of the tests involved or treatments advocated has not been demonstrated."
http://www.allergy.org.au:80/pospapers/unorthodox.htm
Ask the Experts :
Q: What is yeast syndrome? A friend says she has it and must avoid sugar and foods made with yeast. H.S., VIA THE INTERNET
A: There's no evidence that this "syndrome" exists.
Yeasts live almost everywhere, including on the skin and in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract. They're usually harmless, but at times can cause problems. For instance, Candida albicans, a common yeast, can cause infections of the skin (including diaper rash), in the urinary tract and vagina, and elsewhere. In most people such infections are minor, but they can be serious, especially in people with suppressed immune systems, such as those with cancer, AIDS, or severe diabetes.
The general yeast syndrome you mention is different, however. Popularized in the early 1980s by two books, which were mostly collections of anecdotes and odd theories, this syndrome goes by many names, such as yeast hypersensitivity or chronic candidiasis. Its symptoms are vague, varied, and nearly universal—fatigue, headaches, skin problems, emotional problems, depression, diarrhea, muscle or joint pain, weight gain, abdominal pain, and so on. According to proponents of this theory, yeast overgrowth is very widespread and leads to suppression of the immune system and scores of health problems and diseases. There's no science to back up any of these claims.
Antifungal drugs are sometimes used to treat "yeast syndrome." A study in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1990, however, found that treatment with one of these drugs had no effect on women with this supposed syndrome.
Refined carbohydrates (such as sugary foods and breads) and especially foods made with yeast are supposed to stimulate the yeast, so infected people are advised to avoid them. But the sugar and starches you eat are unrelated to yeast infections in the body. There's no evidence that the sugar you eat "feeds" the yeast. If yeast in the body were stimulated by sugar, humans would have died out long ago.
http://wellnessletter.com/test/html/wl/200...xperts0101.html
There is a condition called sibo which might be helped by antibiotics which you might want to ask about, but its kindof hard to accurately test for.
Bacteria: More Than Pathogens
Trudy M. Wassenaar
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/wassenaar.html
So one question is what pathogen are they trying to kill with them?
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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com
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