Included are symptoms that differentiate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What is the difference between irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease? How would I know if I have one of them?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, albeit uncomfortable, disorder of the colon. While the exact cause of IBS is unknown, researchers have found that the muscles of the colon contract more easily in individuals with IBS than in those without the condition. Certain triggers can provoke IBS, including specific foods, medications, and emotional stress. IBS is not a life-threatening condition, nor does it increase the risk of developing other colon diseases like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or colon cancer.
IBS symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps (usually in the lower half of the abdomen)
- Excessive gas
- Harder or looser bowel movements than usual
- Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two
IBS symptoms DO NOT include bloody or black stools.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) generally refers to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, but it can also be referred to as colitis, enteritis, ileitis, and proctitis. Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause inflammation in the bowel.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic illness in which the intestine becomes inflamed and forms ulcers (sores). It usually begins in the lower part of the small intestine (ileum) but can occur anywhere in the large or small intestines, the stomach, or the esophagus. Crohn’s disease affects the entire thickness of the intestinal wall, which is why patients with Crohn’s are prone to fistulas and abscesses. Additionally, sections of diseased intestine can be separated by segments of healthy intestine.
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease depend on the location and severity of the inflammation. Common symptoms include:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Abdominal pain and tenderness (often on the right side of the lower abdomen)
- A feeling of mass or fullness in the lower right abdomen
Ulcerative colitis occurs only in the colon and typically follows an uninterrupted pattern. Unlike Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. It does not affect the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine. It impacts only the innermost layer of the colon (the mucosa) and does so in a continuous, unbroken pattern. Inflammation starts in the rectum and then spreads to other parts of the colon.
The main symptom of ulcerative colitis is diarrhea, which eventually becomes bloody. Occasionally, symptoms include severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
If you suspect you have IBS or IBD, it’s important to consult your doctor. Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical examination. To diagnose IBD, one or more of the following tests may be required:
- Blood tests
- Stool samples
- Endoscopic examination of the colon with biopsies
- CT scan
