The importance of differentiating between Crohn’s/Colitis and IBS

One of the most difficult and discouraging aspects of suffering from a chronic condition that has no verifiable cause or cure is that it can be very difficult, if not impossible, for a doctor to diagnose. Often, diseases are misdiagnosed or completely overlooked because there is nothing quantitative to measure to ensure that the correct condition is treated. One chronic illness that is often automatically linked with crohn’s disease or colitis is irritable bowel syndrome. Many people assume that because they have irritable bowel syndrome, they automatically have crohn’s disease; however, a new study by a team of United States researchers has proved otherwise.

Irritable bowel syndrome is marked by very similar symptoms as those experienced by crohn’s sufferers, including intestinal and stomach pain, cramping, and difficult bowel movements. They are, however, very, very different disorders. Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School evaluated colonoscopy results of a large number of irritable bowel patients. They found that most of these were unwarranted colonoscopies, as the patients did not have crohn’s, colitis, or colon cancer. The researchers also reported that doctors need to be aware of differentiating symptoms, such as weight loss, anemia, bleeding, or other serious problems. Furthermore, they encouraged doctors to explore the family history of patients, which may be the strongest indicator of a serious disease. The researchers concluded that irritable bowel syndrome was not an indicator and not necessarily a link for the more serious and chronic condition of crohn’s disease.

It is important that these distinctions are made and that a doctor makes the correct diagnosis for many reasons. First, the treatment options are quite different for these conditions and each need to be employed immediately. Additionally, crohn’s and colitis are both recognized disabilities by the Social Security Administration, thereby allowing claimants to file for benefits if they have the disease. There is not, however, a provision for irritable bowel syndrome. A doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan will need to be submitted when filing a claim, therefore an accurate report of crohn’s or colitis is paramount. Finally, crohn’s and colitis are often linked with other diseases or health conditions in the body. Understanding whether you have irritable bowel syndrome or crohn’s is important in recognizing what other problems may exist. If you suffer from any irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, make sure to discuss with your doctor your family history and other troubling problems. It may be that you only have IBS; however, it could be something far more serious. Either way, it is imperative to get the proper diagnosis and treatment.