Explore the distinct symptoms and characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Take our quiz to determine if an antibody blood test for IBS is recommended for you.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Understanding the Condition

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic health condition that causes inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. This autoimmune disorder triggers the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack the cells of the bowels, leading to swelling, sores, and other complications. There are two main types of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Individuals with IBD may experience a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, joint pain, eye irritation, and skin rashes. These symptoms can vary in severity and duration, and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Diagnosing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Diagnosing IBD typically involves a combination of tests, such as stool tests, blood tests, and endoscopic procedures like a colonoscopy. These tests help doctors determine the location and extent of the inflammation, as well as the specific type of IBD (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A Different Condition

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a distinct condition that affects the intestines, causing persistent abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Unlike IBD, IBS does not cause lasting damage to the bowels and does not lead to cancer.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Individuals with IBS may experience a combination of symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of both. Other common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.

Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Traditionally, IBS was diagnosed by ruling out other conditions, especially IBD. However, a more direct approach involves a simple antibody blood test that can measure the levels of two antibodies, anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin, which are known to be elevated in individuals with IBS with diarrheal symptoms.

Take the IBS vs. IBD Symptoms Quiz

Are you unsure if your symptoms are indicative of IBS or IBD? Take our short quiz to determine if an antibody blood test for IBS is recommended for you. This test can provide a more direct and accurate diagnosis, helping you take the next steps in managing your condition.

IBS vs. IBD: Key Differences

While IBS and IBD share some overlapping symptoms, they are distinct conditions with different underlying causes and treatment approaches. Understanding the differences between these two conditions is crucial for proper diagnosis and effective management.

Exploring the Causes of IBS

One of the leading known causes of IBS is food poisoning. The bacteria that cause food poisoning, such as Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli, release a toxin called Cytolethal Distending Toxin B (CdtB) into the body. This triggers an autoimmune response, leading to gut nerve damage and disruption of the gut microbiome, ultimately resulting in IBS.

Managing IBS and IBD

While there is currently no cure for IBD, various immunosuppressant medications can help manage the symptoms. Similarly, while IBS cannot be cured, lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and stress management techniques can help alleviate the symptoms and improve quality of life.

Seeking Professional Guidance

If you are experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a gastroenterologist, to determine the underlying cause and receive the appropriate treatment. They can guide you through the diagnostic process and develop a personalized management plan to address your specific needs.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between IBS and IBD is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management of these conditions. By taking the IBS vs. IBD symptoms quiz and seeking professional medical advice, you can take the first step towards addressing your gastrointestinal health concerns and improving your overall well-being.

IBS vs. IBD | Take Our Symptoms Quiz for IBS

Symptoms Quiz

Is It Really IBS?

Take a short quiz to find out if an antibody blood test for IBS is recommended for you.

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While irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) share some symptoms, they are completely different illnesses. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a long-term health issue that causes swelling and sores in the gastrointestinal tract.

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IBD causes your immune system to think that food in the intestine is not supposed to be there. The body then attacks the cells of the bowels, causing inflammation and ulcerations. 

There are two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. 

Symptoms of IBD, like symptoms of IBS, include diarrhea and abdominal pain; however, in addition to these, IBD symptoms also include rectal bleeding, joint pain, eye irritation, and rashes.  

While there is currently no known cure for IBD, there are various immunosuppressants to help manage the symptoms of IBD.

​

Here is an excellent patient guide to IBD published by the American Gastroenterological Society in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

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How Do You Diagnose

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

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There are various ways your doctor might want to test for IBD. Diagnostic procedures might include stool tests, blood tests, and often more invasive endoscopic procedures like a colonoscopy. 

Your doctor will want to know where in your body the inflammation is occurring and will want to get a clear understanding of the state of your gastrointestinal tract. 

There are two types of IBD that can be diagnosed. Crohn’s disease is inflammation or ulceration located throughout the GI tract, and ulcerative colitis is inflammation found in the large bowel or rectum. 

Both types of IBD have their own symptoms that guide your doctor towards the most appropriate tests.

Ulcerative Colitis

• Diarrhea

• Fever & fatigue

• Abdominal pain and cramping

• Blood in your stool

• Reduced appetite

• Unintended weight loss

• Red, swollen eyes

Crohn’s Disease 

• Cramps/belly pain (often in the lower right side)

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Bleeding

• Skin rash

• Arthritis (painful, swollen joints)

• Fatigue

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

​

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a health issue found in your intestines. It causes persistent abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, and change in stool – some combination of chronic diarrhea and constipation. If you are suffering from these symptoms, you’re not alone. Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from IBS. 

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There are three types of IBS: diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C), and mixed-type (IBS-M, where diarrhea and constipation both persist). IBS does not cause lasting harm to the bowels and does not lead to cancer; however, it can severely impair you physically and emotionally. 

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Food poisoning is the leading known cause of IBS, accounting for at least 60% of all diarrheal IBS cases. The path from food poisoning to IBS has to do with a toxin called Cytolethal Distending Toxin B, or CdtB for short. The most common bacteria that cause food poisoning like Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli. release the toxin CdtB into your body. 

When a toxin like CdtB enters your body, your immune system fights back with an antibody – in this case, your body creates anti-CdtB. CdtB looks in some ways like vinculin, a naturally occurring protein in your body that is critical in healthy gut function. Because CdtB and vinculin can look alike, your body can think it needs to fight back against vinculin, at which point it starts producing another antibody, anti-vinculin. 

The production of anti-vinculin is an autoimmune response and leads to gut nerve damage and improper functioning of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) and Migrating Motor Complexes (MMC). When these do not function properly, your gut microbiome is disrupted. Your gut microbiome is composed of billions of bacteria in your gut that, when balanced, keep your gut healthy.

This disruption ultimately results in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Here is an excellent patient guide to IBS published by the American Gastroenterological Society​.

View Study

How Do You Diagnose Irritable

Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Traditionally, IBS was an exclusionary diagnosis, meaning other diseases – especially IBD – had to be ruled out in order to diagnose IBS. Alternatively, an antibody blood test can diagnose IBS more directly. 

Irritable bowel syndrome can be accurately ruled in with a simple, doctor-ordered antibody blood test.  The test measures the levels of two antibodies, anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin, known to be elevated in the blood of the majority of patients experiencing IBS with diarrheal symptoms. If either antibody is elevated, a confident IBS diagnosis can be made.  

A positive result on the test also indicates that the root cause of your IBS was an instance of food poisoning (gastroenteritis) that has led to a disruption in your gut microbiome. This can guide your healthcare provider to therapies that treat your microbiome, like FDA-approved antibiotics and low-fermentation diets. 

If your antibody blood test result is not positive, your doctor may want to conduct other tests to diagnose your symptoms.

The American College of Gastroenterology’s Clinical Guidelines for the Management of IBS suggest “a positive diagnostic strategy” (ruling in IBS) as compared to “a diagnostic strategy of exclusion” (ruling out other diseases) “…to improve time to initiate appropriate therapy….and to improve cost-effectiveness.”

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What Is ibs-smart?

ibs-smart is the only licensed, patented test that can measure validated biomarkers, anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin,  in your blood that indicate IBS with 96% – 100% positive predictive value. Further, the test is over 90% specific in differentiating IBS from other diarrheal diseases like IBD. While IBS and IBD can co-exist, IBD itself does not lead to the elevation of these antibody biomarkers.

By accurately diagnosing your IBS and identifying the cause (a microbiome disruption caused by an infection), ibs-smart™ can expedite your path to treatment and prevent years of potentially unnecessary procedures like colonoscopies.

You can order ibs-smart without an appointment online through our online prescriber service or download a patient-doctor discussion guide to take to your next doctor’s appointment.

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Order ibs-smart

Order ibs-smart Online.

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You can work with a doctor online to order ibs-smart, if it’s right for you.

The online prescriber service includes:

​

• A symptoms evaluation by a doctor

• Clear and actionable results emailed directly to you

• Post-test results consultation by phone with a doctor

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Prefer to work with your healthcare provider instead? Download the ibs-smart discussion guide and educational materials here.  

Post-Infectious IBS

A significant volume of research shows a clear link between food poisoning

and irritable bowel

syndrome (IBS).

Read More

Diarrhea & IBS

Chronic diarrhea can indicate disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Read More

SIBO & IBS

While what causes SIBO is an excess of bacteria, there are many conditions that can lead to SIBO like irritable bowel syndrome.

Read More

Do You Have Symptoms of IBD? Take the Test Now

Free quiz. Just 1 minute. Curated by doctors.

*Please note that this quiz is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. If you have concerns about your health, please consult with your healthcare provider.

1

Do you have abdominal pain?

• Yes, frequently

• Occasionally

• Rarely

• No, never

2

Do you experience diarrhea?

• Yes, frequently

• Occasionally

• Rarely

• No, never

3

Have you noticed blood in your stool?

• Yes, frequently

• Occasionally

• Rarely

• No, never

4

Do you have a fever?

• Yes, frequently

• Occasionally

• Rarely

• No, never

5

Do you feel fatigued or weak?

• Yes, frequently

• Occasionally

• Rarely

• No, never

Your result:

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What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition that involves inflammation of the digestive tract.

What are some common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.

Is inflammatory bowel disease the same as irritable bowel syndrome?

No, while both conditions can cause similar symptoms, inflammatory bowel disease involves actual inflammation in the digestive tract while irritable bowel syndrome does not.

Can dogs get inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes, dogs can get inflammatory bowel disease.

What are some symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs?

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and decreased appetite.

What are some potential treatments for inflammatory bowel disease?

Treatments can include medications to reduce inflammation, dietary changes, and sometimes surgery.

Is there a cure for inflammatory bowel disease?

There is no cure for inflammatory bowel disease, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Can inflammatory bowel disease cause complications?

Yes, complications can include bowel obstruction, malnutrition, and increased risk of colon cancer.

What causes inflammatory bowel disease?

The exact cause is not known, but it is believed to involve genetics, an overactive immune system, and environmental factors.

Is stress a cause of inflammatory bowel disease?

While stress can exacerbate symptoms, it is not considered a direct cause of inflammatory bowel disease.

Can diet play a role in inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes, certain foods may exacerbate symptoms or trigger flare-ups, while others may help manage symptoms.

Can cats get inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes, cats can also get inflammatory bowel disease.

What are some symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in cats?

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and decreased appetite.

How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually involves a combination of medical history, physical exam, blood tests, stool tests, and imaging tests like endoscopy or colonoscopy.

What is endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a procedure where a small camera is inserted into the digestive tract to examine the lining and detect inflammation or other abnormalities.

What is colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a procedure where a long, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the colon to examine the lining and detect inflammation or other abnormalities.

Can inflammatory bowel disease be fatal?

While it is typically not fatal, complications of inflammatory bowel disease can be serious and can increase the risk of colon cancer.

How can inflammation be reduced in inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammation can be reduced through the use of medications like steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics.

What are biologics?

Biologics are medications that target specific immune system proteins involved in the inflammation process.

Can surgery be a treatment option for inflammatory bowel disease?

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove damaged or diseased portions of the digestive tract.

What is a strictureplasty?

A strictureplasty is a surgical procedure where a narrowed portion of the intestine is widened to improve digestion and reduce symptoms.

Can lifestyle changes help manage inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes, lifestyle changes like stress reduction, regular exercise, and a healthy diet can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Can inflammatory bowel disease be cured with home remedies?

There is no cure for inflammatory bowel disease, and home remedies are not proven to be effective treatments.

Does smoking increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes, smoking is a risk factor for developing inflammatory bowel disease and can make symptoms worse.

Is inflammatory bowel disease contagious?

No, inflammatory bowel disease cannot be spread from person to person or from animal to animal.

What is a fecal calprotectin test?

A fecal calprotectin test is a stool test that can help determine if there is inflammation present in the digestive tract.

What is the prognosis for inflammatory bowel disease?

The prognosis can vary depending on the severity of the disease and any complications that may arise, but most people with inflammatory bowel disease are able to manage their symptoms and lead normal lives.

Can stress management techniques help reduce symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes, stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help reduce inflammation and improve quality of life in people with inflammatory bowel disease.