Two conditions that often get confused with one another are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBS and IBD have overlapping symptoms sometimes and even have similar acronyms. However, they are not the same condition.
Understanding the difference with IBS vs. IBD is important. It can help you find a clear path to being diagnosed and getting the right treatment.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Is a Functional Disorder
IBS is considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder. This means that in most cases, the structure of the digestive tract looks normal but the function is not quite right. The gut just isn’t working the way it should even though there is no visible damage on imaging.
IBS is best categorized as a symptom-based syndrome. This means that it’s a group of symptoms that happen together rather than a single, identifiable disease.
Common symptoms of IBS include:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Bloating and gas
- Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both
- Mucus in the stool
- Relief after bowel movements
- Sensitivity to certain foods or stress triggers
IBS is a condition that affects your day to day life but does not cause any permanent structural damage to your intestines.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Is an Autoimmune Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune condition. It causes destruction and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. IBD does involve visible damage to the lining of the intestines that can be seen on imaging, unlike IBS.
IBD is less common than IBS. It usually involves a more complex diagnosis process and more closely-monitored, ongoing medical management. The two main forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Common IBD symptoms include:
- Persistent diarrhea, often severe
- Blood in the stool
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue and low energy
- Abdominal pain that may be more severe or localized
- Fever during flare-ups
- Reduced appetite
IBD is a chronic disease that requires ongoing medical management to prevent complications of active inflammation and tissue destruction.
Diagnosing IBS vs. IBD
A diagnosis for IBS is usually based on symptoms and by ruling out other conditions, including IBD, infections, and other structural disease. There is not a single test for IBS, though, which is why a full evaluation is very important.
Diagnosing IBD involves a combination of blood tests and stool samples, as well as imaging and biopsies to best determine the condition of your GI tract.
If you are experiencing persistent digestive symptoms, it’s important to follow up with a qualified provider to get an accurate diagnosis.
Contact PEAK For IBS Care & Gut Health Evaluation
Since IBS is a functional disorder, we focus on identifying the root causes behind it to treat it at PEAK Integrative Medicine. We want to help you restore function rather than just treat the surface symptoms. If you’re tired of being told you have IBS with no real answers, a Strategic Health Session is a good place to start. Book yours to find out if PEAK is the right fit for you.