What is the difference between inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can have similar symptoms but are not the same thing. IBD causes inflammation and damage to the intestines, whereas IBS does not. Because of this, IBS is generally considered to be a less serious condition. The inflammation in IBD can cause permanent damage to the intestines that may be marked by intestinal bleeding.

IBD has been associated with an increased risk for colon cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases, but IBS carries no such risk. Individuals with IBD are more likely to be hospitalized, undergo surgery or be treated with strong medications. Some of the medicines used to treat IBD include steroids or immunosuppressives.

IBS is described as a functional disorder, meaning that the function of the bowels is disturbed. Also, it is a syndrome, which means that it is defined by a collection of symptoms. It is because of this that IBS is not defined as a disease, as IBD is. These symptoms can include chronic abdominal pain or discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, or some combination of constipation and diarrhea. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pelvic pain and temporomandibular joint disorder may also occur in individuals with IBS. The symptoms of IBS can be severe and have a significant impact on the quality of life of the affected individual. Some patients have very mild symptoms while others experience disabling symptoms that prevent them from working, traveling or engaging in social activities. Treatment for IBS can involve both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal interventions.

References:

http://www.ccfa.org/resources/ibs-and-ibd-two-very.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ibd/

http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/inflammatory-bowel-disease.html

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/basics/definition/con-20034908

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/#what

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20024578

http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/irritable-bowel-syndrome.html