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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a non-inflammatory bowel
disorder with symptoms such as chronic diarrhea and abdominal cramping and
pain. According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders, IBS affects up to 45 million people in the United States, and
two-thirds of them are women. Recent studies have shown that IBS may
be prone to misdiagnosis, delaying proper treatment.
1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
The symptoms of IBS can also indicate Inflammatory Bowel
Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which are more
serious conditions than IBS. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammation that can
affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Ulcerative colitis is a
chronic inflammation of the colon, also called the large intestine.
Because both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are
inflammation of the GI tract, they can share these symptoms in common with each
other, in addition to the symptoms they share with IBS:
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Rectal bleeding
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Bloody stool
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Weight loss
These symptoms are known as “alarm” or “red flag” symptoms,
but they may not occur in the early stages of IBD. If you experience any of these
symptoms, talk with your doctor immediately.
Ask your doctor about available screening tests than can
help differentiate IBS from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Faecal
calprotectin testing is one example. It involves collecting a stool sample and
is non-invasive.
Like IBS, treatment for IBD may include specific medications
and lifestyle changes. IBD may also be treated with surgery.
2. Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a chronic inflammation of the small
intestine that occurs in people whose bodies can’t process gluten properly due
to genetic factors. (Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, and rye.)
A blood test called the Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies (tTG-lgA)
has shown to be effective in identifying Celiac disease in 95% of people who
have it.
Currently, the only effective treatment for Celiac disease
is adopting a gluten-free diet. While giving up your favorite bread or cereal
may not be pleasant at first, many gluten-free substitutes are available. Left
untreated, Celiac disease can lead to more serious problems such as:
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Anemia
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Type 1 diabetes
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Infertility
3. Colon Cancer
Colon cancer can cause the same symptoms as IBS and IBD. As
with IBD, colon cancer can cause rectal bleeding and bloody stool. If this
happens, tell your doctor right away. Symptoms of colon cancer usually don’t
appear until the cancer is advanced. That’s why it’s so important to have
regular screenings that detect cancer earlier. Ask you doctor how often you
should have screenings, especially if you are over 50 or have a family history
of colon cancer.
Any time you have gastrointestinal symptoms, talk with your
doctor openly and ask about available tests. The wrong diagnosis and treatment
plan can give an underyling condition time to get worse.The right diagnosis and
treatment plan can help relieve challenging symptoms so you can move forward in
your personal, professional, and social life.
