Question: If it’s not IBS, what else could it be?
Answer: It is common to wonder "Is this IBS?" as there are several other digestive disorders that share some of the same symptoms as IBS - symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, bloating and gas. This underscores the importance of seeing your doctor for an accurate diagnosis should you begin to experience unusual digestive symptoms. Keep in mind that it is possible (although certainly unfair!) to suffer from more than one health condition at a time. The following disorders are some possibilities as to what might be causing your symptoms:
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a condition in which eating foods that contain gluten results in a problematic autoimmune response. These articles will provide you with basic facts about celiac disease:
- Celiac Disease: Basic Facts About Celiac Disease And The Celiac Diet
- Typical and Atypical Symptoms of Celiac Disease
- Is Your Irritable Bowel Syndrome Really Celiac Disease?
Colon Cancer
IBS patients frequently worry that they might have colon cancer and that they have been misdiagnosed. In order to put this worry to rest, you should talk to your doctor about your concerns and educate yourself about the symptoms of colon cancer by reading the following articles.
Food Allergy
A food allergy is when your body’s immune system responds to certain chemicals in particular foods by releasing allergic antibodies. The following articles can help you to determine if you should speak with your doctor about the possibility of a food allergy.
Food Intolerance
A food intolerance differs from a food allergy in that the problem occurs at the level of the digestive system as opposed to an immune system response. These articles provide an overview of some food intolerances that have been associated with IBS.
- Lactose Intolerance
- Lactose Intolerance Testing
- Fructose Intolerance and IBS
- IBS and Sugar Intolerance
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is a general term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Symptoms may be similar to IBS, but may also include bloody diarrhea, weight loss and fevers. Both conditions differ from IBS in that visible signs of inflammation are seen in the digestive tract during a colonoscopy.
Next FAQ: What is lactose intolerance?
Back to Previous FAQ: How can my doctor be sure I have IBS? Shouldn't they run more tests?
