Most of us laymen do get mixed up between inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The common fact between these two is that they are chronic conditions where it results in abdominal pain, urgent bowel movement along with stomach cramps. Although these two chronic conditions pose similar symptoms, they are complete variable diseases. Irritable bowel syndrome is the disorder linked with the GIT tract, while inflammatory bowel disease is the destruction of the stomach lining due to inflammation, where it leads to narrowing of the small and large intestines and causes soreness. Let’s dive in to find out the exact details of these two diseases.
Irritable bowel syndrome affects the lower part of the GIT area, which involves the small and large intestine along with the colon. Such patients experience constipation, chronic diarrhea, or in some cases, both of these. The patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome complain about bloating and gaseous feel along with constipation. Most of the patients who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome are advised with antibiotic courses to complete the treatment, but in other patients, they need re-treatment again and again because most of the symptoms keep on reviving back. Other treatment modalities in such patients include dietary modifications and medicines to help treat diarrhea and constipation.
Inflammatory bowel disease results in the inflammation of the small and large intestines. It is a broad-spectrum term where it involves the two conditions known as Ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease. Most patients suffering from this disease have a genetic cause. The severity of the disease depends on the genetic abnormalities within the patient. The common symptom of inflammatory bowel disease includes diarrhea. Other than that, the patient suffers from bloody stools, abdominal cramps, fever, and low body fluids, blocked bowels, weight loss, anemia, and loss of appetite. The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease is complex, and the exact diagnosis might take around a few months. The diagnosis starts with the family history, medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests along with endoscopic procedures. Blood tests help the doctors to differentiate between various forms of IBD and to identify the treatment option. In certain cases, MRI and CT scans are also used or confirming the diagnosis and to see how much intestine is affected.
An inflammatory bowel disease is a form of the chronic condition due to which it is essential to manage the disease carefully and alleviate the symptoms as soon as possible. These patients need antidiarrheal, antibiotics, and certain lifestyle changes, which helps in relieving the condition.
There are millions of people who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. It is, therefore, essential to discuss the symptoms with the gastroenterologist, which helps in relieving the symptoms.
Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!