![]() The prognosis for IBD is considered to be poor due to the effect of the disease on the quality of life and the increased risk for conditions like lung disease and colon cancer. However, many who take daily medications and are in “remission” still continue to experience bothersome symptoms. IBD is viewed as a life-long disease with symptomatic episodes (flares) that alternate with periods of remission. IBD treatments are immunosuppressive and/or anti-inflammatory and come with a high possibility for side effects like frequent infections or unwanted weight gain. While the evaluation for IBD is more straightforward than IBS as it relies on concrete markers and not just symptoms, it’s more invasive and typically requires extensive bloodwork, stool samples, and a colonoscopy. Fistulas (an abnormal passage between body tissues).IBS hassymptoms that are commonly believed to be restricted to the gut (more on this later), whileIBD has well-recognized symptoms of : In autoimmunitythe body’s immune system attacks the wrong tissues, andallows inflammation to spread and cause body-wide symptoms. Many consider IBD to have a strong autoimmune component that’s, in part, due to your genetics. Severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal fissures, and abscesses are other common GI symptoms that may accompany an IBD diagnosis. Rectal bleeding, which is not present in IBS, can also be present and can worsen anemia. The inflammation in the intestinal tract can be so severe that it impedes nutrient absorption, potentially leading to anemia and numerous other symptoms. It’s perhaps the degree of inflammation that primarily distinguishes it from its similar counterpart of IBS and can hinder your overall health. These two types of IBD often exist separately, but some people are diagnosed with both.Īs its name implies, IBD is characterized by a significant level of inflammation in the small intestine and/or large intestine. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to describe two disorders: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. And a great way to truly understand how these conditions differ (and how they are alike) is by discussing the unique challenges they face. IBD and IBS have many differences when it comes to their presentations, diagnosis, standard treatments, and even disease outcomes. In this article, I will cover how we can reconcile the differences between IBD and IBS and how that can provide long-term relief - not just suppress the symptoms. Inflammatory foods, toxins, bacteria, and environmental stressors can all play a part in the development and progression of IBS and IBD.Ī treatment approach that focuses on lowering inflammation and eliminating modifiable triggers through diet, gut-balancing supplements, and a healthy lifestyle extends beyond conventional care and is highly effective for both of these conditions. Both of these disorders are driven by chronic inflammation, and their triggers have significant overlap. When it comes to treating IBD vs IBS naturally, their similar underlying causes make their treatments fairly alike. Unlike IBD, many believe IBS to have no physiological cause, and the treatment of IBD is thought to be restricted to immune-suppressing drugs and anti-inflammatories.ĭespite these disparities, many functional and natural medicine circles have realized that these two conditions aren’t so different after all. There’s even a notable difference in the beliefs surrounding IBD and IBS, including those of physicians, that can make it difficult to receive proper care. Though both are chronic digestive disorders, their diagnosis, symptoms, prognosis, and standard treatments are thought to be drastically different. Standard treatments focus on stress management for IBS and immunosuppressants for IBD, though an anti-inflammatory diet, probiotics, and a healthy lifestyle can benefit both.įrom a conventional perspective, the similarities between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) disappear at their nearly-identical acronyms.Though to varying degrees, inflammation is the hallmark of both IBS and IBD, which can be worsened by stress, gut dysbiosis, food allergies, and/or a leaky gut.IBD is often misdiagnosed as IBS, and an IBS diagnosis can lengthen the time it takes to get worked up for IBD.IBS has no conventional laboratory markers, is diagnosed on symptoms alone, and has a better prognosis than IBD.IBD is often considered to be an autoimmune disorder of the gut that can lead to GI bleeding, rashes, joint pain, and a heightened risk for lung disease and colon cancer.When comparing IBD vs IBS, they are both chronic digestive disorders that have some similar symptoms, including abdominal pain and altered bowel movements.
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