Ulcerative Colitis vs. IBS: What’s the Difference?
Gastrointestinal symptoms aren’t always easy to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) both affect the gut and may seem similar. These two different conditions can cause similar symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and mucus in stool.
“I have terrible cramps, bloating, and diarrhea,” wrote a MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam member, adding that their gastroenterologist suspected IBS and ordered a colonoscopy.
Although ulcerative colitis and IBS share symptoms, they are very different. If you’re living with ulcerative colitis or IBS, it’s important to know how these two conditions differ. That way, you can be sure you’re seeking appropriate care and staying as healthy as possible.
Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Have Different Causes
Understanding the causes of ulcerative colitis and IBS is key to understanding what makes these conditions so different. Although both conditions affect digestion, they start and develop in different ways.
Ulcerative Colitis Is an Inflammatory Condition
Researchers don’t fully understand the exact cause of ulcerative colitis, whi
Is There a Connection Between IBS and Colitis?
Colitis is defined as inflammation in the large intestine. It can be caused by many things, including:
Colitis can result in symptoms that are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This raises the question: Is there an overlap or connection between IBS and colitis?
IBS vs. More Serious Causes of Intestinal Symptoms
Even though IBS can significantly impair your quality of life, it is usually not considered a serious illness, and it doesn't lead to life-threatening complications.
However, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms that could point to a more serious condition, including:
Severe pain
Significant fatigue
Lack of appetite
New, long-lasting constipation or diarrhea (greater than six to 12 weeks)
Shortness of breath
Blood in stool
Black stool
Change in quality of stool (thin, "worm-like" stools)
Weight loss
Fever
Mouth ulcers
Ulcerative
Irritable Bowel Syndrome vs. Ulcerative Colitis vs. Crohn’s Disease: What’s the Difference?
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are three distinct medical conditions that affect the gastrointestinal system. Though they're all chronic conditions that have similar symptoms, they are very different diseases. IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder, while ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are types of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).
Comparing symptoms
Because certain symptoms of IBS, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are very similar, it's crucial that you have a thorough doctor's examination and appropriate tests so your doctor can determine an accurate diagnosis.
Irritable bowel syndrome
This is a common, chronic intestinal disorder that can cause pain and discomfort in the large intestine. Symptoms of IBS will vary but typically include diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, loss of appetite, mucus in your stool and constipation, which may alternate with diarrhea. Unlike ulcerative colitis and Crohn's, IBS does not cause inflammation or damage to the intestinal tissue.
Ulcerative colitis
This is a chronic IBD th
Behandlingen vid IBD varierar utifrån sjukdomstyp, d v s ulcerös kolit eller Crohns sjukdom, inflammationens utbredning, sjukdomens svårighetsgrad och vid Crohns sjukdom även sjukdomens karaktär - stenoserande och fistulerande sjukdom kräver särskilda terapeutiska överväganden. Vidare bör patientförutsättning, ålder, samsjuklighet och annan läkemedelsbehandling tas i beaktning vid val av läkemedelsbehandling. Behandlingsriktlinjerna nedan avser därför ett urval av typfall.
I syfte att öka kunskapen om sjukdomarna och förbättra vården av patienter med IBD i Sverige bör alla patienter med IBD och all behandling av sjukdomarna registreras i det nationella kvalitetsregistret ”the Swedish national quality register for IBD” (SWIBREG).