IBS and IBD are conditions that are often confused with one another. Part of the reason is having similar abbreviations, and the other is that they have symptoms in common. Nevertheless, our Orlando GI experts at the Digestive and Liver Center of Florida are here to educate you on the differences between these two digestive conditions. Read on!
What are IBS and IBD?
First things first, what do IBS and IBD stand for? IBS is short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and it’s an intestinal disorder that causes pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and oddly enough constipation as well. As for IBD, it stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and it’s an enduring inflammation of all or part of the digestive tract. This is actually an umbrella term for more specific diseases (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis).
Symptoms
There are a couple of symptoms both digestive conditions have in common. This is due to the fact that they’re both long-term conditions that affect your gut.
- Belly pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Having the urge to poop immediately
While there are symptoms they have similar, there are other symptoms they don’t have in common. For instance, IBS’s symptoms include having nausea, and more gas than usual. Its cramps will be felt more in the lower half of the belly. As for IBD, symptoms unique to the digestive condition include bloody or black stools, weight loss or loss of appetite, fevers, and inflammation in your skin, joints, or eyes. When it comes to where you feel the pain, it’ll more likely be in the lower right side of your belly or left side—depending on which form you have of IBD (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis).
Causes
Unfortunately, it’s not quite clear as to what causes IBS. Researchers have found a connection between the immune system and how muscles move food through your gut. A lot of people also have triggers that make their symptoms worse. Specific foods, anxiety, infections, and hormonal changes can all be triggers for IBS symptoms.
IBD has more evident causes than IBS does. Physical signs have helped our Orlando GI experts right away with learning what causes IBD. When the digestive tract has long-lasting inflammation, it can cause bleeding and ulcer (sores). With this in mind, this irritation causes pain, triggering the immune system, thus leading to symptoms like fevers and exhaustion.
Complications
According to our Orlando GI doctors at the Digestive and Liver Center, the complications of IBS are less dangerous than those of IBD. The main issue is how the symptoms affect your quality of life. Regrettably, it can also cause anxiety or depression.
IBD on the other hand is a digestive condition with more serious complications if not treated properly. A couple of problems that can occur include dehydration, poor nutrition, anemia, blood clots, ulcers, blocked bowels, complications with your colon, a higher risk of colon cancer and more.
Get In Contact with Our Orlando GI Experts
If you have either of the above-mentioned digestive conditions, it is strongly recommended to make changes in your lifestyle so that you’re able to manage it. Visit the Digestive and Liver Center of Florida at any of our Orlando locations to speak with a doctor on how you can lead your life, diet, etc. Call (407)384-7388.