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What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that causes the colon to function improperly. It is prevalent in people of all ages and affects roughly 5 million Americans. Although IBS doesn’t damage the digestive tract or cause other health problems, its symptoms are uncomfortable, embarrassing and life-changing. And they may be a sign of some other, more serious disorder.
The symptoms of IBS include:
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Difficult, infrequent or altered bowel habits
- Diarrhea or frequent loose stools
- Gas & bloating
- Mucus in stool
- Pellet-shaped or ribbon-shaped stool
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that cause swelling and inflammation in the intestines and affect as many as 1 million Americans. Often confused with IBS, IBD refers to two chronic diseases:
- Ulcerative colitis affects the inner lining of the large intestine (colon), causing it to
become inflamed and develop ulcers. - Crohn ’s disease can affect any part of the GI tract and causes inflammation that
extends deeper into the intestinal wall than with ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms of IBD can include:
- Mild to severe diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal bleeding, sometimes leading to anemia
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss, dehydration & malnutrition
- Possible delayed development & stunted growth in children
Diagnosing IBS & IBD.
The causes of IBS and IBD are not known, and diagnosis of both disorders is challenging. A diagnosis of either IBS or IBD requires the ruling out of other potential causes of symptoms. Medical history, physical examination, blood tests and other exams, including upper and lower endoscopy, help gastroenterologists diagnose and differentiate these disorders. Research, clinical trials and new protocols are also available.
For an accurate diagnosis & effective treatment, trust skilled, experienced care.
At Gastroenterology Consultants, our board-certified gastroenterologists have the skill, capabilities and expertise to diagnose and differentiate IBS and IBD. Most importantly, we help relieve your symptoms and treat any underlying problems with the compassion, personal dedication and heartfelt concern you deserve. Get the relief you need. Call us today.
For top-quality, up-to-date care for gastrointestinal problems, trust the board-certified, experienced GI specialists trusted by thousands of patients and their doctors for nearly 30 years. Our IBS and IBD patients come to us from Webster, Pasadena, Pearland, Houston, Nassau Bay and nearby locations. Call Gastroenterology Consultants at (281) 481-9400 or fill out our online Request an Appointment form to schedule your consultation with us.
