Differences in Symptoms
Although both conditions may produce symptoms like abdominal pain and urgent bowel movements, there are several symptoms specific or unique to each condition that helps physicians to make a definitive diagnosis of each condition. Some symptoms that are mostly associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are;
Changes in stool appearance
-
-
-
- Abdominal bloating
- Presence of white mucus in the stool
- Sexual dysfunction
- The feeling of not completing a bowel movement
- Urinary urgency
- Urinary frequency
- Fibromyalgia
-
-
Symptoms most associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease include;
-
-
-
- Anemia
- Fever
- Eye pain or redness
- Skin changes
- Joint pain
- Unplanned or unintended weight loss
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Appetite loss
-
-
When compared to the symptoms of IBD, the symptoms of IBS appear less serious. IBS is known to be restricted to the colon alone, but in many cases, the inflammation caused by IBD spreads to other parts of the body including the joints, eyes and skin; manifesting as arthritis, iritis and dermatitis. IBD can lead to permanent physical disability or some form of disfigurement. This is not the case in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.