Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic inflammation of any part of the digestive tract (from mouth to anus). There are two main types of inflammatory bowel disease:
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS refers to a group of symptoms and changes in your bowel movement patterns. IBS is considered a chronic functional disorder of the GI tract because in people with IBS the GI tract acts abnormally, but there is no structural damage from a specific disease.
It is possible to have both inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome; however, it is not common. While both disorders affect the digestive tract and have some similar symptoms, they are completely different diseases and are not treated the same. IBD is an inflammatory disease that can result in damage to the digestive tract (for example in Crohn's disease and UC), while in IBS, the digestive tract does not work properly, but there is no damage to the structures.
Signs and symptoms unique to inflammatory bowel disease include:
Signs and symptoms unique to irritable bowel syndrome include:
Even though irritable bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease can affect the same parts of the GI tract, the symptoms are mostly different.
Both bowel conditions cause inflammation in the digestive tract, and have these symptoms in common:
Stress can affect both conditions. In inflammatory bowel disease, stress can cause flare-ups (your symptoms worsen) of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Stress may cause gastrointestinal symptoms of IBS to worsen, so you may be more aware of them. Stress also can trigger symptoms because of how they can affect your daily life.
Researchers and doctors do not know the exact causes of IBD or IBS. Stress and eating certain foods do not cause either bowel problem, but both can trigger symptoms of each disease or make them worse.
The possible causes of inflammatory bowel disease, for example, Crohn's disease and UC include:
The possible causes of irritable bowel syndrome include:
While the causes of both irritable bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease are unknown, both have risk factors that make some people more likely to develop these conditions.
Risk factors both IBS and IBD share include:
Other risk factors for IBD are:
Other risk factors for IBS are:
A diagnosis of IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, often is made with a combination of the tests listed here and a biopsy of colon tissue. While there are no specific medical tests to diagnose IBS because it is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, some may be ordered to help determine a diagnosis. Exams and tests used to diagnose both conditions may include:
There are two relatively new blood tests that may help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and irritable bowel syndrome mixed (IBS-M). These tests are for anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin antibodies that are thought to develop in some patients after an acute bout of gastroenteritis caused by several different, common types of bacteria. The tests may only be able to identify a subset of patients with IBS, those with post-infectious IBS. It may also be able to distinguish those who have IBS from patients with IBD. The tests have not undergone rigorous testing, and FDA has not approved them.
Treatment options for both conditions are aimed at managing the symptoms. A doctor who specializes in disorders of the digestive tract, called a gastroenterologist, can help both IBS and IBD patients manage their disease.
IBD treatment and management depends upon your symptoms and their severity, any other health problems that you have, and the part of your digestive tract affected by disease. Your doctor may treat your condition with changes in your diet, stress reduction and management, nutritional supplements, drugs, and in some cases, surgery.
Doctors help IBS patients manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes to avoid triggers, for example, diet, exercise, stress management, gut-directed hypnotherapy, and mindfulness training.
There is no special recommended diet to treat IBD, but some people may respond to dietary changes such as eating smaller and more frequent meals, taking nutritional supplements, and avoiding certain foods, for example, fatty and fried foods, meats, spicy foods, and fiber-rich foods. People with Crohn's disease may have difficulty tolerating dairy products because of lactose intolerance.
Patients with IBS may respond to dietary changes. Low fat, high carbohydrate, and low FODMAP foods may help ease symptoms. Fiber can be helpful in some people.
Probiotics may provide symptom relief for people with IBD and IBS.
People with IBD, specifically, find symptom relief by taking fish oil, probiotics, turmeric, aloe Vera, energy therapies, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and body work therapies, for example, massage, reflexology, craniosacral therapy, and chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation.
In people with IBS, psychological therapies like stress management, biofeedback, pain-management techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy; and exercise like Yoga, walking, Tai Chi, or swimming may relieve symptoms.
Talk to your doctor or other health care professional before using any home remedy, as they may have unwanted side effects or interactions with medications you use.
Currently, there is no cure for either irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment is aimed at preventing symptom flares and reducing the severity of symptoms.
The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown. Researchers believe it is the result of an autoimmune reaction. There is a hereditary (genetic) connection to IBD, and it can be passed down through your family. You cannot prevent IBD, but it may be possible to reduce the risk of developing it by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.
The prognosis for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) varies widely with the severity of the disease. The course of IBD includes periods with no symptoms (remission) with occasional flare-ups. Many patients are able to manage symptoms effectively with little impact on their daily lives. Some patients may need surgery such as a partial or total colectomy to help them manage the disease. IBD also increases a person's risk of developing colon cancer. Serious complications of IBD include ulcers, fistulas, bowel obstructions, and malnutrition.
You cannot prevent irritable bowel syndrome, but you can reduce the symptoms by paying close attention to your diet and the foods that trigger them, along with lifestyle changes, for example, not smoking and getting regular exercise.
The prognosis for IBS depends on the frequency and severity of your symptoms and well they are managed. Changes in diet, probiotics, medications, and other therapies can have an impact on how well do with IBS.
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