One common concern for sufferers of IBS is that they might actually have a much worse condition called IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Is there a difference? Is one more severe than the other?
First, we should consider the symptoms they have in common: Bloated stomach, abdominal cramps and pain, and diarrhea. If you are menstruating, the symptoms can worsen in both cases, and both IBS and IBD can present with related conditions such as urinary problems, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression.
However, the key difference between the two conditions is that one (IBS) is a syndrome and the other (IBD) is a disease. IBD can lead to bleeding diarrhea, ulcerative colitis (which can put patients at risk for colon cancer) and Crohn’s Disease (causing inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract from your mouth to your anus). As a result, we can distinguish between IBS and IBD in the treatment regimens that doctors follow.
Treatment Differences:
For patients with IBD, doctors focus treatment on the inflammation. The disease is not considered to be “curable”, but it is manageable with a series of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids. For severe cases, doctors may prescribe immunosuppressant drugs that “turn down” your body’s immune system.
For patients with IBS, doctors focus treatment on the individual symptoms: fiber supplements for constipation or anti-diarrheal medication. Where there is evidence of stress and anxiety contributing to the IBS symptoms, doctors may also recommend changes to your diet and stress-reduction techniques.
The biggest challenge in distinguishing between IBS and IBD is that the stomach bloating and abdominal pain can be erratic, ranging from mild to severe. If the symptoms persist, become chronic, or you see any evidence of blood, contact your doctor immediately.
Fortunately, IBD is a much more rare condition. It is estimated that one in five people in the USA suffer from the symptoms of IBS, compared to one in 200 for IBD.
Warning
My blog is for information purposes only – as a fellow sufferer of many of these conditions, I have done a lot of research and wanted to share that material with as many people as possible. Do not self-diagnose your condition – many of these symptoms can be indicative of bigger health problems. I have found that taking a supplement like RezVera has been very helpful for me, but if you’re experiencing severe or chronic stomach bloating that is frequent or prolonged, consult a doctor for a full medical diagnosis.