What Is The Difference Between IBS And IBD?

When addressing stomach pain, it's essential to consider that various conditions with similar symptoms, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, may be involved. Here's what to observe and discuss with your doctor.

When dealing with stomach pain, the internet can be overwhelming with a multitude of possible causes, often leading individuals down a confusing path of potential conditions. The two gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), not only share a word in their names but also exhibit a range of similar symptoms.

Gastroenterologists acknowledge the confusion, stating that "IBS and IBD sound very similar" and highlighting the common overlap in symptoms that often perplex patients.

Moreover, it's worth noting that these two conditions are not necessarily exclusive. A systematic review published in a reputable journal revealed that up to a significant percentage of people with IBD also experience IBS symptoms—a statistic still cited by experts today.

However, despite the similarities, IBS and IBD have distinct differences in terms of symptoms and treatments. Here's what you should be attentive to.

Quality Of Life Vs. Serious Risk

IBS can manifest as diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both and may include symptoms like abdominal pain.

It's important to understand that IBS is categorized as a syndrome, representing a collection of symptoms rather than a specific disease. Jesse Stondell, MD, the program director of the Department of Gastroenterology at the University of California in Davis Health Medical Center, explains that IBS primarily affects the quality of life and is not typically associated with life-threatening consequences or hospitalization.

IBS is more prevalent than IBD, impacting an estimated 25 to 45 million people in the United States, which accounts for approximately 10 to 15 per cent of the population, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is more prevalent in women than men, accounting for two-thirds of all cases. On the other hand, only around 3.1 million adults in the United States have received a diagnosis of either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, representing 1.3 per cent of the population.

Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) will typically have either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, both of which are chronic autoimmune disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease can impact any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the rectum. At the same time, ulcerative colitis causes explicit inflammation in the colon.

Similar to IBS, individuals with IBD may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea. However, IBD can also manifest with rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anaemia. People suffering from IBD may unintentionally lose weight and feel persistently tired, which could be their initial symptoms before experiencing any pain.

It's important to note that IBD, especially in severe cases, can be pretty serious and may even necessitate surgical intervention, which is not typically required for IBS.

Why Do IBS And IBD Get Confused For The Other?

Both Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Persistent diarrhoea lasting more than four weeks should prompt a discussion with your primary care physician and the possibility of further testing.

Stress serves as a trigger for patients dealing with either IBS or IBD, exacerbating their symptoms and making it more challenging to distinguish between the two conditions.

The resemblance in symptoms often confounds not only patients but also healthcare professionals, leading to occasional misdiagnoses of IBS when IBD is the actual condition or vice versa.

A study conducted in December 2018, published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, revealed that approximately 20 per cent of patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis also exhibited symptoms consistent with IBS.

Furthermore, some patients may describe symptoms that align more closely with IBS rather than IBD.

Young patients, in particular, can effectively mask the effects of their condition, either by delaying visits to the doctor or because healthcare providers presume IBS without conducting comprehensive screening.

It's worth noting that women are often misdiagnosed with IBS, possibly due to the higher prevalence of IBS in women compared to men. This leads doctors to default to an IBS diagnosis for women, assuming they have it rather than IBD.

A study published in January 2023 in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases reported that although the clinical presentation of IBD is similar in both genders, women experience a higher rate of misdiagnosis, resulting in delayed access to appropriate treatment.

How Do I Get Properly Diagnosed?

If you suspect that you might be dealing with either Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), taking the right steps to seek a proper diagnosis is crucial. Your first point of contact should be your primary care doctor, and it's essential to be open and detailed about your symptoms. Sometimes, patients struggle to articulate their issues effectively, especially gastrointestinal problems.

Young people, in particular, might find it challenging to discuss these issues openly. They may mention they're experiencing bowel problems without providing sufficient details. In such cases, doctors must work closely with patients to extract more information about their symptoms and experiences.

To ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offers these helpful tips:

• Share any previous medical records, including summaries of prior doctor visits, lab results, and any tests already conducted.
  
  
• You might want to bring a close friend or family member with you to the appointment. An extra set of ears can help you remember important information discussed during the visit. Alternatively, you can bring a notepad
  to jot down notes about your next steps.
  
  
• Before your appointment, make a list of questions and create a timeline of your symptoms. This preparation will ensure you don't forget to mention crucial details during your visit.

Your primary care doctor will conduct a thorough and detailed assessment of your medical history. This step is critical as it helps them better understand potential underlying causes, making it the diagnostic process's first and most crucial phase.

Once your doctor has a comprehensive history, they can recommend appropriate tests and, if necessary, refer you to specialists to narrow down the problem.

For IBS, the diagnostic process typically involves a combination of blood tests, stool tests, and a review of your health history. These elements help your doctor arrive at a diagnosis, following guidance from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

In the case of IBD, the diagnostic journey may include the tests mentioned above and additional procedures like a colonoscopy and possibly an endoscopy, which would involve consultation with a gastroenterologist.

Differences In Treatments For IBS And IBD

For individuals dealing with symptoms of diarrhoea and diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), lifestyle adjustments can be beneficial. These changes often involve modifying one's diet by eliminating specific sugars, increasing fibre intake, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Additionally, there are prescription medications available to help manage and alleviate IBS symptoms.

On the other hand, individuals diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) typically require medication to control inflammation and manage their symptoms. Treatment may involve oral anti-inflammatory pills to reduce inflammation or, in more complex cases, medicines that target and regulate the overactive immune system since IBD is an immune-related condition.

Regardless of whether it's IBS or IBD, the path to treatment can sometimes be lengthy, involving the potential for misdiagnosis or consultation with multiple specialists. It's essential to persevere through this process.

A crucial piece of advice is to be proactive about your health. If you suspect you have a particular condition or syndrome, don't hesitate to discuss it with a healthcare provider. It's essential not to suffer in silence when you're not feeling well.

You can consult Mobi Doctor for convenient and accessible healthcare advice and services.