Are gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain and fullness in the abdomen, abdominal cramping, blood in the stools, weight loss, anemia, acid reflux, etc. symptoms specific only to irritable bowel syndrome, or are there any medical conditions that present with similar symptoms? Watch the video to know more about the gastrointestinal and other medical conditions that mimic irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the stomach and intestines. Clinically, IBS presents with typical symptoms such as abdominal cramps, pain, bloating and gas, and diarrhea or constipation. The exact cause of IBS is unknown and the diagnosis is made  by a thorough clinical examination and exclusion of other disorders with similar symptoms. The other disorders that may present with similar symptoms include:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease - disorders that chronic involve chronic inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.
  • Rectal or colon cancer - cancer that starts in the rectum or colon.
  • Celiac disease - body’s immune reaction to gluten,  a specific protein found mainly in wheat, rye, and barley. It is also called gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
  • Lactose intolerance - an inability to fully digest lactose (a type of sugar mainly found in the dairy products).
  • Non ulcer dyspepsia - recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion with no obvious causes.
  • Outpouching of large intestine - Characteristic bulging and pouching of the intestine (diverticulitis and diverticulosis).
  • Endometriosis - ectopic growth or deposition of uterine tissues.

In the video Dr. Vinod Kumar Mishra, an eminent gastroenterologist explains in detail how the above mentioned disorders may be confused with IBS. Dr. Mishra explains in detail the typical symptoms of each of these diseases and how to differentiate them from IBS.

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