Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What is "inflammatory bowel disease"?

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a condition where there is actual inflammation taking place in the lining of the small or large intestine.

How does irritable bowel syndrome differ from inflammatory bowel disease?

Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS and IBD) are two very different disease categories. Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS generally relates to symptoms of abdominal discomfort, changes in bowel habits, and sensitivity and irritability of the small and large intestine without any inflammation in the lining of the intestine. IBD or inflammatory bowel disease causes significant inflammation in the lining of the intestine and, pathologically, has a much different appearance to it than irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.

What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

In inflammatory bowel disease, one can experience abdominal pain, diarrhoea, changes in their bowel habits, urgency to have bowel movements, and sometimes, bleeding in the bowels.