Conditions Similar to IBD

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is a condition having more than three loose or liquid stools each day.
It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss.
The most common cause is an infection of the intestines due to either a virus, bacteria, or parasite; a condition known as ‘Gastroenteritis’.

	CAUSES	CAUSATIVE AGENTS
Short Term Causes	Gastroenteritis (bowel infection)	Viral – such as norovirus or rotavirus Bacterial – such as campylobacter, clostridium difficile (C. difficile), Escherichia coli (E. Coli), salmonella or shigella Parasites – such as the giardia intestinalis parasite that causes giardiasis
	Feelings of anxiety
	Drinking too much alcohol
	A food allergy
	Appendicitis (inflammation of appendix)
	Damage to the lining of the intestines as a result of radiotherapy
	Medicines	Antibiotics Antacid medicines that contain magnesium Some chemotherapy medicines Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Statins (cholesterol-lowering medicines) Laxatives (medicine used to help empty your bowels)
Long Term Causes	Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a condition affecting the normal functions of the bowel Coeliac disease – a digestive condition with problems digesting gluten Chronic pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas Diverticular disease – where small bulges or pockets develop in the lining of the intestine Bowel Cancer– this can cause both diarrhoea and blood in stools Post any stomach surgeries

IBS is not a disease, but rather a condition that affects the function and behaviour of the intestines. The most common theory is that IBS is a disorder of the interaction between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract.
Normally, the muscles lining the intestines intermittently contract and relax to move food along the digestive tract. In IBS, this pattern is disturbed, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms.
It is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits.
Onset of IBS is more likely to occur after an infection or a stressful life event, but varies little with age.

Irritable bowel syndrome is different from IBD

FEATURES	IBS	IBD
Classification	Functional Disorder	Pathological Disease
Possible Cause	Occurs after to trauma to gut due to food poisoning or viral/bacterial infections or functional impairment in GIT	Autoimmune in nature
Diagnosis	Done by ruling out other GIT conditions	Biopsy, Colonoscopy and Fecal calprotectin can be helpful for diagnosis
Treatment	Probiotics Fiber rich foods Laxatives Antispasmodics Anti-depressants	Antibiotics Low fiber foods Anti-inflammatory drugs Immunosuppressive agents Corticosteroids Surgery
Layers of Intestine	Not Involved	Involved
Risk of Cancer	No Risk	High Risk of Colon Cancer
Extra-Intestinal Complications	Never	Can Occur