Is IBS a disease like Crohn’s or inflammatory bowel disease?

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It is not a disease like Crohn’s or inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms vary widely from person to person, but may include some of the following:

• Abdominal pain, sometimes located in the left lower quadrant
• Swelling
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Alternating diarrhea/constipation
• Change in consistency or appearance of stools
• Mucus in the stool
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation after defecating.
• Appearance at sunset of uncontrollable urges to defecate.
• Excess gas
• Pain when sitting
• Excessive gurgling/rumbling/grunting in the stomach and abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• burp
• Loss of appetite
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Acidity
• Back pain
• Lethargy
• Anxiety and/or depression
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations
• Irritable bladder or incontinence
• Gynecological problems

As you can see, it’s a long list. Many of the symptoms can be caused by other diseases or conditions. Please don’t self-diagnose. See your doctor, or several if necessary, until you have a specific diagnosis.

If you experience any of the following, go to the hospital or see a doctor immediately. They are NOT symptoms of IBS:

• High temperature
• Blood in the stool or fresh bleeding with bowel movements
• Constant and unrelenting pain

Most experts agree that IBS does not cause permanent damage or lead to more serious conditions, such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

What causes IBS?

After speaking with several doctors, nurses, and a dietician, I received no answer to this question. There is nothing definitive on the internet either. However, criteria have been established that help doctors diagnose irritable bowel syndrome. Called the Rome III Criteria, you can learn more at RomeCriteria.org.

The average patient sees three doctors for three years before finally receiving a proper diagnosis.

The criteria for irritable bowel syndrome are described below.

• Recurring abdominal pain or discomfort at least three days per month in the last six months, associated with two or more of the following:

– Improves with defecation
– Onset associated with a change in stool frequency
– Onset associated with a change in the shape (appearance) of stool

It’s important to get a specific diagnosis before assuming you have IBS. Other diseases can cause similar symptoms and should be ruled out before making any assumptions. There is no diagnostic test available (yet) that can show that you have irritable bowel syndrome. However, extensive tests can rule out other more serious conditions, such as celiac disease, bowel cancer, and Crohn’s disease.

Other conditions that can affect people with IBS

According to recent research, people with IBS may also suffer from one or more of the conditions on the following list:

• Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Periodic Limb Movement (PLMS)
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCSS)
• Tension headaches
• Irritable bladder
• Primary dysmenorrhea
• Migraines
• Vulvodynia

There may also be an overlap of conditions such as:

• Globe
• Functional chest pain
• Functional heartburn
• Functional dysphagia
• Functional dyspepsia
• Aerophagia
• functional vomiting
• Rumination syndrome
• Functional abdominal distension
• Functional constipation
• functional diarrhea
• Functional abdominal pain
• Dysfunction of the gallbladder
• Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
• Functional fecal incontinence
• Functional anorectal pain
• Functional defecation disorders

Functional disorders do not produce abnormal test results, and nothing unusual is seen on endoscopy or radiography. These disorders are usually diagnosed by deciding what they are NOT and then classifying them by symptoms.

Disclaimer

The material provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of proper medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician and other appropriate health care providers before taking any medication, natural remedy, or supplement; or before changing your diet. Discuss all plans, symptoms, and medical conditions with your doctor.

Any use of the ideas contained in this document is at your own discretion, risk and responsibility. The author assumes no responsibility for the information presented. There are no representations or warranties, either express or implied.

You should not start or stop medical treatment based on information in this article or any other.