Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are two very different conditions. They commonly get confused because they have similar names and sometimes involve similar symptoms.
Because IBD and IBS are treated differently, it’s important to visit your primary care provider (PCP) or a specialist to get an accurate diagnosis. IBD is generally treated with medications including corticosteroids or biologics to control inflammation. IBS is treated with dietary changes, fiber supplements, and other medications to relieve constipation or diarrhea.
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease is a set of autoimmune conditions that includes both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both conditions can cause redness, chronic inflammation, bleeding and ulcers inside the colon. They may also increase your long-term risk for colon cancer.
The cause of IBD is unknown, but it involves an abnormal response by your immune system in which it attacks the intestines. You can be genetically prone to IBD, and it can also be triggered by your environment.
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome, on the other hand, causes symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, but it doesn’t cause any inflammation. While IBS may be uncomfortable, it doesn’t cause long-term damage to the digestive tract. It also doesn’t have the same cancer risks as IBD.
IBS is considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning that it’s related to how the brain and gut work together.
One theory about the cause of IBS is that the brain miscommunicates to the gut to feel pain and other symptoms, even though the gastrointestinal tract may not show signs of damage. IBS may be triggered by stress, though symptoms usually improve after a bowel movement.
What are some “red flag” symptoms of irritable bowel disease?
There are some “red flag” symptoms that may indicate IBD instead of IBS. You should always call your doctor if you experience:
Weight loss
Bloody stool
BMs waking you from sleep
New or worsening symptoms
- PrednisoneGeneric Deltasone and Rayos and Sterapred
- MedrolMethylprednisolone
- KenalogTriamcinolone
“It's really important to talk to your physician if you're having new symptoms, because even if they don't seem worrisome to you, they may be an indication that something is actually wrong,” says Dr. Zöe Gottlieb, Gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
The bottom line
It can be hard to identify gastrointestinal conditions because many of them cause similar symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Inflammatory bowel disease includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and can cause chronic inflammation and bleeding. Irritable bowel syndrome can cause bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, but it doesn’t increase your cancer risk.
Why trust our experts?
Dr. Gottlieb is a board-certified gastroenterologist and assistant professor at Mount Sinai Hospital.
References
Centers for Disease Control. (n.d.). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. (2014). The facts about inflammatory bowel disease.
Fakhoury, M., et al. (2014). Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and treatments. Journal of Inflammation Research.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Ulcerative colitis.
Raskov, H., et al. (2016). Irritable bowel syndrome, the microbiota and the gut-brain axis. Gut Microbes.
