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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may sound alike, but they are different conditions. Learn how they differ in symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Understanding the Difference

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are different digestive conditions that can share some symptoms, making them easy to confuse. However, they have different causes, require different treatments, and need an accurate diagnosis to ensure the right care.

What is IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the gut-brain interaction that affects the digestive tract.

While IBS can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation, it does not cause inflammation or permanent damage to the digestive tract. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may affect daily activities, work, travel, and quality of life.

Who gets IBS?

According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, IBS affects 5-10% of people worldwide. It is more common in women than men and often begins during the late teen years or early adulthood. Although IBS can develop at any age, symptoms may become more noticeable during times of stress.

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

IBD is a group of chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. The two types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In IBD, the body’s immune system plays a role in causing ongoing inflammation that can damage the digestive tract over time.

Symptoms

IBD symptoms can include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and an urgent need to have a bowel movement. Symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. Some people may also experience symptoms outside of the digestive tract, such as joint pain, skin changes, or eye inflammation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing IBD typically involves a combination of medical history, physical exams, blood tests, stool tests, imaging, and procedures such as endoscopy or colonoscopy. During these procedures, healthcare providers may take small tissue samples, or biopsies, to look for signs of inflammation and confirm a diagnosis.

Causes

The exact cause of IBD is unknown. Researchers believe it results from a combination of genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors that lead to ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract.

Treatment

While there is currently no cure for IBD, treatments can help reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and help people achieve and maintain remission. Treatment options may include prescribed medications, nutrition support, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery. Working closely with a healthcare team can help individuals find a treatment plan that works best for them.

Learn more about IBD

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Diagnosis

There is no single test used to diagnose IBS. Healthcare professionals typically diagnose based on a person’s symptoms, medication history, and by ruling out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Other criteria for diagnosing IBS includes having abdominal discomfort or pain for at least 12 weeks, even if non-consecutive, over the past 12 months, accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms:

relief upon defecation
onset associated with a change in your stool frequency
onset associated with a change in the form of your stool

Unlike IBD, there is no inflammation or visible damage to the digestive tract during diagnostic testing.

Causes

The exact cause of IBS is not fully understood. It is considered a disorder of gut-brain interaction, meaning communication between the brain and digestive system does not function as it should. Certain foods, stress, hormonal changes, and some medications may trigger symptoms. People with IBS often have irregular colon motility patterns, meaning the necessary muscle contractions are not functioning the way they should. The term “irritable” is used because the nerve endings in the lining of the bowel are unusually sensitive, and the nerves that control the muscles of the gut are unusually active.

Symptoms of IBS

IBS symptoms and their intensity can vary from person to person. Symptoms often occur after eating a large meal or when you are under stress, and they are often temporarily relieved by having a bowel movement.

Chronic and persistent abdominal pain
Constipation alternating with diarrhea
Mucus in the stool
Gassiness
Abdominal bloating, or the sensation of feeling full
Abdominal distention, or swelling
The urge to move your bowels without being able to have a bowel movement
Nausea

Anemia, bleeding, weight loss, and fever are symptoms of IBD, not IBS. If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek immediate medical treatment.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Your doctor may recommend dietary changes, stress management, medications, physical activity, or behavioral therapies based on your individual symptoms. A doctor can help identify strategies that address an individual’s specific symptoms and triggers.