Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, can also increase the risk of developing IBD. Symptoms can vary considerably from person to person, depending on the location and severity of the inflammation.
Symptoms also tend to come and go in cycles. People will experience flares where symptoms suddenly worsen, and periods of remission during which they have few, or no symptoms. To diagnose IBD, a doctor will typically start by taking a medical history and performing an initial physical exam. They will then order one or more of the following tests to aid their diagnosis:. There is no cure for IBD, so doctors will use treatments to relieve symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and maintain periods of remission.
The treatments that they choose will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Some people may need surgery to remove or bypass damaged parts of their gastrointestinal tract.
However, surgery for IBD is becoming less common. IBD is a lifelong condition for which there is currently no cure. Symptoms tend to come and go in cycles of flares and remission. IBS is a long-term condition that affects the intestines. It causes a group of digestive symptoms that typically occur together. It is more common in women than in men and is more likely to develop in people under the age of It is unclear what specifically causes IBS, but doctors believe that digestive problems and increased gut sensitivity may play a role.
It is possible that the condition may run in families. Some females with IBS may experience more symptoms during their period. IBS usually involves sudden changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include:. IBD is inflammation or destruction of the bowel wall, which can lead to sores and narrowing of the intestines. For years, IBS patients have complained to doctors about being gassy, bloated, and constipated.
Many were dismissed or told they were stressed out or needed psychological interventions, not medical treatment. Pimentel believes is the primary cause of the disease. Pimentel, who pioneered the use of the drug rifaximin to treat IBS. Those treatments could include antibiotics, diet changes, and sometimes medication to ease constipation or diarrhea. Many IBS patients have suffered without treatment because they've been told the condition is in their heads, but it's now easy to diagnose IBS with a simple blood test developed by Dr.
IBD causes inflammation of the intestines. IBD is a term for a broad spectrum of diseases, but Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, bloody stool, blocked bowels, fever, loss of body fluids and appetite, extreme weight loss, and anemia. Instead, an IBS diagnosis is usually made on the basis of:.
These criteria say a diagnosis be made only after a person has had symptoms at least 1 day per week over the last 3 months and having symptoms that began at least 6 months ago. Since IBS symptoms primarily involve your bowel movements , a diagnosis takes this into account as well. Often, an IBS diagnosis is made only after many other diseases and conditions are ruled out.
Since testing for other conditions can be a lengthy process, your IBS diagnosis may sometimes take weeks or even months. These will probably include blood and stool tests as well as imaging of your upper and lower GI tract. Your doctor may also refer you for endoscopic evaluations such as an esophagogastroscopy and colonoscopy to evaluate the severity and extent of inflammation. These involve inserting a small tube with a camera into either the esophagus or the rectum.
During these exams, your doctor will likely collect tissue to biopsy to help differentiate between different types of IBD.
Genetics and family history are thought to play a part in both. The cause of IBS is not known for certain, but the following conditions are thought to increase your risk:. The exact cause of IBD is not known. Researchers now think that IBD arises through a combination of:. Normally, the immune system successfully limits the effects of harmful bacteria, viruses, and environmental toxins.
Researchers also think genetics play a part in causing IBD. Stress is known to make all GI disorders feel worse. But they do know that IBS is almost always exacerbated by stress. Stress reduction techniques may help decrease your IBS symptoms. Consider trying:. Research shows that stress may affect both the onset of IBD and the course of the disease. In particular, it may serve to aggravate the disease and contribute to the occurrence of flare-ups.
Stress may also intensify the mood disorders that sometimes arise in people living with the disease. Emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety are common among people with IBD, and stress can intensify their effects.
Read on to learn about possible complications of these two conditions. Chronic diarrhea , which is sometimes a symptom of IBS, can lead to hemorrhoids. You are also at risk for becoming dehydrated if you do not replenish fluids lost in diarrhea.
Over the long term, IBS can also lead to nutritional deficiencies. Your doctor or a nutritionist can help you learn how to maintain a nutrient-dense diet. If left untreated, IBS can lead to a lower quality of life in which you miss days of work and are reluctant to engage in activities for fear that pain may arise at an inconvenient time. With frequent worrying about your symptoms, you might also develop mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Symptoms of IBD may escalate to conditions that require medical attention. For ulcerative colitis, complications might include a perforated bowel in which the chronic inflammation creates a hole in your bowel. But there are some cases where you should be concerned about that mucus. Hemorrhoids are itchy and uncomfortable, and they can cause bleeding and swelling. We have treatment options for you.
An occasional bout of heartburn is normal, but if you regularly suffer from persistent, uncomfortable hiccups and burping, it could be a sign of acid reflux disease. Small improvements in what you eat can make a big difference in your health and well-being.
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