Is There A Difference Between IBS And Colitis Symptoms?
With the growing incidence of intestinal problems across the age spectrum there is a need to try and understand and distinguish between what is ulcerative colitis, or inflammatory bowel disease and the other similar condition, inflammatory bowel syndrome. And when the former is diagnosed, there is a great void in understanding and appreciating the challenge colitis symptoms bring to the sufferer.
So what are the distinct symptoms of each of these troubling medical conditions? They are actually very similar in terms of experiencing diarrhoea and sometimes constipation, passing of blood in the stool, stomach cramps, abdominal pain, gas, vomiting, weight loss through lack of appetite, and a feeling of feverishness. Theses are the principle ones though it is important to recognise that they can vary in the amount and degree of severity depending on the actual strength of the attack. As can be deduced, due to the overlap of symptoms experienced, there can be difficulties in making a definitive early diagnosis of which of the two conditions is being suffered.
Yet there is one great difference between the two conditions. When colitis is diagnosed, this is classed as a disease. The reason for this is that the large colon is in fact diseased. Various areas of the large intestine become inflamed and turn to open sores. Over time the extent of this inflammation can spread to higher up areas of the large bowel. This can result in the scenario where the symptoms experienced are unable to be controlled sufficiently well through medication leaving the sole course of action being the removal of the large intestine.
When a colitis attack occurs, it is usually over a longer length of time, more severe symptoms are experienced and has a far greater impact on the health of the sufferer than any inflammatory bowel syndrome can. IBS can perhaps be best described as a nervous stomach or bowel syndrome having similar type symptoms to that of colitis yet the large colon is itself still healthy. It has the propensity to appear then quickly disappear again and can be more susceptible to the effects of diet than colitis can.
So how is a diagnosis achieved? During the very early days of symptoms, if they are of a mild form and the person is still able to function through their daily routine without too much impact, or the symptoms quickly disappear, then it is likely to be IBS. Colitis on the other hand will most likely continue to make its present felt for what can seem like a long time with the effects of an attack lasting for months. Also, some people suffer virtually ever present colitis symptoms. The only way to ensure a correct diagnosis is for the person to undergo a colonoscopy to view the condition of the large colon and the extent of any inflammation plus also to have blood tests taken.
Whilst a diagnosis of IBS is not exactly cheerful news, it is a lot better than being informed that the reasons for a change in health is become the person is suffering from colitis symptoms. This being the case, it is vital to research and learn from others who have experienced colitis on the best coping strategies and how to reduce the impact it can have on daily life.
