INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE VS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

The two main intestinal diseases are Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome that are often confused with each other. They share common symptoms and similar names. A Gastroenterologist can help you reveal the actual problem and distinguish between the two.

The IBS is a non-inflammatory condition of the intestine which 15% of the population suffer. A person diagnosed with IBS is not likely to suffer from IBD. A person with IBD will have an inflammation of the intestine that whose symptoms are similar to IBS. Both are chronic conditions even otherwise.

Features:

IBS is a functional disorder like headaches and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes. The symptoms are although related to and considered as mucous colitis or spastic colitis they are actually not as colitis is that which affects the colon. They in fact don’t have a specific cause. Even the diagnosis cannot detect the prevalence of the IBS. The results mostly show normal.IBD could be Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis or indeterminate colitis.

Symptoms of IBS:

• Diarrhoea
• Cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation

Symptoms of IBD:

• Eye discomfort
• Extreme discomfort
• Joint pain
• Rectal bleeding

They share a common cause Urgent Bowel Movements

• Pain accompanied by Diarrhoea, Constipation
• IBS patients are constipated in the colonic transit times which means that the time taken to travel from the colon to the rectum is abnormal causing pain
• Diarrhoea is predominant symptom in IBS which doesn’t always mean it is defined by consistency. It can cause loose stools.
• Patients with IBS experience pain in Lower left or lower right abdomen often. Evacuation is also mostly incomplete.

Stress Management:

• IBS cannot be easily diagnosed unlike IBD for its inflammatory condition of the intestines because of which the former goes unnoticed. Stress is observed as the main cause that leads to IBS. Meditation, exercises, yoga and professional help will reduce IBS.
• IBD is also caused by stressful situations was once a strong belief that prevailed in the yester years. But the studies reveal that stress has got nothing to do with IBD.
• People find it embarrassing to discuss symptoms like vomiting, headache, belly aches or with regards to frequent bowel movements.

Treatments:

For IBS the below medications are recommended.

• Hyosyamine(Levsin)
• Dicyclomine Dicyclo-mine HCL (Bentyl)
• A healthy diet restricted to only light food devoid of fried and fatty foods and beverages can help reduce the IBS while in IBD the prime concern is to reduce the inflammation. Once that is under control the rest can be treated with medicines. If inflammation is neglected then it can be threatening.

Outlook:

A Gastroenterologist is the best judge to differentiate between the two illnesses. When the treatment is not given to them at the right time they can get chronic. A healthy lifestyle can alone prevent the diseases.

KIMS is one of the gastroenterology hospitals in Hyderabad which has an experienced group of professionals who out of their study of innumerable cases can easily infer the disease, the type and the gastroenterology treatment procedures the patient requires.