IBD-IBS
Inflammatory Bowel Disease & Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The digestive tract is a large complex system starting from the mouth through the stomach and intestines to the anus. Many factors influence the efficiency of food absorption and the rate at which food and waste move through the digestive system. Regrettably, the rise in industrialization appears to coincide with an increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
As of 2015, about 1.3% of US adults, which is approximately 3 million people, reported being diagnosed with IBD, either as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. The prevalence of IBD has shown variation across different sociodemographic characteristics including
Age
Race/ethnicity
Education level
poverty status
Furthermore, IBD has increased from 2001 to 2018 among Medicare beneficiaries of all racial and ethnic groups, with the highest rate of increase observed among non-Hispanic Black adults, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In the case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), it affects between 25 to 45 million people in the United States of all ages, including children. Of those affected, about two-thirds are female and one-third are male. A wide range of severity has been reported, with some experiencing mild symptoms, while others have moderate to severe symptoms.
These statistics highlight the significant impact of both IBD and IBS on the U.S. population, affecting millions and demonstrating varying trends across different demographic groups. This trend suggests a potential link between the incidence of these conditions and lifestyle.
What is the difference between the two and how are they each treated?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by symptoms such as:
Bloating
Cramping
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
constipation
Without any visible damage to the gut tissues or cells. The movement of food and waste through the intestines is controlled by the brain and the intestinal muscles. Normally, these muscles contract and relax rhythmically, facilitating the passage of food. The transit time for food to move through the digestive tract typically ranges from 12 to 36 hours. However, muscle spasms in the gut can lead to abdominal pain and cramping. Overly rapid or forceful contractions may result in diarrhea, while slower or weaker contractions can lead to constipation. The exact cause of IBS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of factors such as stress, bacterial infections, food intolerances, or nerve damage in the gut. Treatment for IBS often involves dietary modifications and medications, tailored to the specific symptoms of the individual.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Is a term used to describe chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, which indeed causes damage to the gut’s tissue and cells. IBD primarily encompasses two conditions:
Crohn's Disease:
Can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, and often involves damage to multiple layers of tissue.
Ulcerative Colitis
Is confined to the colon or large intestine and affects only the superficial layer of the gut lining.
While both conditions share some symptoms with IBS, such as abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, they are distinguished by additional symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, and the presence of blood in stools, which result from the ongoing inflammation and ulceration. Patients with IBD are at a higher risk for complications such as colon cancer, malnutrition, and bowel obstruction. Although the exact cause of IBD is not fully understood, it is classified as an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Treatment for IBD typically includes dietary management, anti-inflammatory medications, immune system suppressants, and in some cases, surgery.
Research is currently being done to see if the microbiome (population of bacteria in the gut) plays a role in both IBS and IBD. The microbiome is made of trillions of bacteria living together with the body’s immune system and cells lining the gut. There are good bacteria that produce vitamins and products for our cells to use and there are bad bacteria that cause damage and illness. Which kind of bacteria gets to live in your gut depends on what you eat. Processed and sugary foods feed the bad bacteria while fiber and complex carbohydrates feed the good bacteria. Other ways of keeping your microbiome in check is supplementation of probiotics (live bacteria in food or pills).