A 38-year-old member asked:
how can you distinguish between symptoms of ibs and crohn's disease?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Feola answered
Internal Medicine 31 years experience
R/O IBS: IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. CROHNS DZ/IBD is inflammation usually DX by BX IBS SX can be managed .You need a full exam and blood work. Especially screen for H pylori . Also stool screen x 3 for occult blood /parasite/ &colonoscopy./EGD While you are getting these items checked out you should stick to a gluten free diet . Ie gutbliss.com and Wholeapproach.com
3047 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 37-year-old member asked:
How can I tell the difference between lupus, ibs, and crohn's?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joshua Katz answered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 28 years experience
IBD, IBS: These are three totally different conditions.
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder.
Ibd (inflammatory bowel disease, refers to ulcerative colitis, crohns disease, and indeterminate colitis)
ibs refers to syndromes of abdominal pain, and irregular bowel habits that occurs in the absence of other diseease not found on routine evaluation.
6140 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Why does test show I have Crohn's and the doctor says I have ibs?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Arthur Heller answered
Gastroenterology 43 years experience
What test?: Crohn's is diagnosed by history, with abnormal physical, confirmed by xray, other radiology, endoscopy/colonoscopy/capsule endoscopy, biopsy.
Blood tests for ibd mostly help to distinguish between "indeterminate" colitis (is it Crohn's or ulcerative colitis); diagnosis is not generally based on those results alone.
Ibs is different from Crohn's and uc (ibd); both can be separate or coexist in pt.
6094 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
LA
A 21-year-old member asked:
What r the signs of IBS or chrons?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Nicole Bressler answered
Emergency Medicine 9 years experience
Adominal Discomfort: Ibs can affect people differently. Some experience lower abdominal cramping, pain and/or bloating with constipation, diarrhea or both. It is often triggered by stress or different foods. Crohns is an inflammatory disease of GI tract that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and rectal bleeding. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
6082 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Geneva, Illinois
A 28-year-old female asked:
How do doctors distinguish between IBS and crohns?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Arthur Heller answered
Gastroenterology 43 years experience
Hist, physical, test: Crohn's-inflammatory bowel often with pain, diarrhea (including at night), fever, weight loss, other sx. Ibs- generally no fever, wt loss. Physical exam clues. Abnormal tests: basic cbc, biochem, colonoscopy, small bowel studies (xray, etc., capsule endo). Family history may be a clue also. Can co-exist; somecrohn's patients also have ibs symptoms.
5604 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
3 comments
Dr. Sanath Kumar commented
Colon and Rectal Surgery 51 years experience
Another way of checking by a blood test called IBD-7 prometheus profile. Not perfect but gives some clues.
Sep 13, 2012
Dr. Arthur Heller commented
Gastroenterology 43 years experience
Provided original answer
Blood test is not good enough to make a diagnosis, but may help distinguish if colitis is Crohn's or ulcerative.
Sep 13, 2012
Dr. Sanath Kumar commented
Colon and Rectal Surgery 51 years experience
Ma have a familial disposition, but not inherited
Sep 13, 2012
Waterloo, NY
A 31-year-old female asked:
Are chrons dissease and IBS similar in symptoms? How are they different?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctor answered
A US doctor answered Learn more
Different etiologies: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel disorders, which affects different parts of the intestinal tracts, depending on the condition. However, irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion, based on the rome ii criteria. Diagnosis of irritable bowel disorder requires exclusion of organic, infectious and inflammatory bowel disorders.
4902 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Mar 25, 2015
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.