IBS vs IBD: What is the difference?

IBS vs IBD: What is the difference?

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition and is estimated to affect around 10 – 20% of the Singapore population.

For most people, IBS is a benign but troublesome condition affecting the large intestine. It is unclear what causes IBS, and only a few suffer severe symptoms. These symptoms may include abdominal pain or cramps, bloating, changes to bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhoea or a mix of both, incomplete or unsatisfactory bowel movements or changes in stool consistency.

What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term for ทางเข้า UFABET สำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ สมัครวันนี้ รับโบนัสฟรี disorders involving chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, namely ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

These inflammatory conditions mean that the intestinal wall becomes swollen and develops ulcers. Over time, this can lead to serious damage to the digestive system. Symptoms of IBD typically include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloody stools, fatigue, and weight loss. Although less common than IBS, IBD has become increasingly prevalent in Asia over the last decade – there are an estimated 2,000 patients in Singapore today.

Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

There are 2 main types of inflammatory bowel disease: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis, as its name suggests, occurs only in the colon, also called the large intestine. While the inflammation can range from mild to severe, it always starts in the rectum but can affect the entire colon.

It is marked by continuous inflammation and, if in severe cases, ulceration of the colon, typically at the innermost lining. The more affected the colon is, the worse the symptoms will be.

Crohn’s disease

Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth all the way to the anus. Instead of continuous inflammation, inflamed areas appear in between healthy parts of the intestine. Crohn’s disease can occur in all layers of the bowel walls, presenting as either shallow crater-like areas or deep lesions, leading to complications such as scarring and stricture of the intestines as well as abnormal connections between loops of intestines, called fistulae.

Ulcerative colitis vs Crohn’s disease: What’s the difference?

It is important to note that while IBS and IBD share some overlapping symptoms (such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea), they are actually completely different conditions. IBS is a benign syndrome, meaning that while it comes with a constellation of bothersome symptoms, it does not lead to serious health issues or complications, although quality of life may be significantly affected.

IBD, on the other hand, is an inflammatory disease, meaning that it is potentially much more debilitating and can lead to serious complications such as severe bleeding, obstruction or rupture of the intestines. In some cases, it is related to the development of cancers such as of the colon or bile ducts.

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can strike at any age, though they are most commonly seen in teenagers and young adults aged 15 – 35.