Commonly Mistaken Conditions

Key points

  • Some conditions are commonly mistaken for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • Two such conditions are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease.
  • However, these are not the same disease as IBD.
An illustration of a young woman laying down, suffering with abdominal pain.

Conditions commonly mistaken for IBD

Some conditions are commonly mistaken for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because they share some of the same symptoms. However, they are entirely different conditions, with different causes and treatments.

These include:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Celiac disease.
A young man sits on a sofa, holding his stomach from digestive pain.
Some conditions have similar symptoms to IBD.

IBD is not the same as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes uncomfortable or painful problems in your stomach. It is possible to have both IBS and IBD at the same time.

Similarities between IBS and IBD:

  • Both are life-long (chronic) conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
  • Both can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life.
  • They share some symptoms, including stomach pain and changes in bowel movement.

Differences between IBS and IBD:

  • IBS does not cause inflammation (the most critical distinction).
  • IBS does not cause symptoms in other parts of the body (beyond the GI tract).
  • IBD is a kind of autoimmune disease, whereas IBS is not.
  • IBD causes physical damage to the digestive tract, whereas IBS does not.

IBD is not the same as celiac disease

Celiac disease is similar to IBD in some ways, and it is possible to have both at the same time.

Similarities between celiac disease and IBD:

  • Both are life-long (chronic) conditions related to the immune system.
  • Both can cause long-lasting problems.
  • Both can keep your body from getting all the nutrients it needs.

Differences between celiac disease and IBD:

  • Celiac disease is triggered by foods that contain gluten. Whereas IBD is thought to be triggered by complex interactions between genetics and the environment.
  • Celiac disease causes damage to the lining of the small intestine. However, different types of IBD can damage the entire digestive system and is not always confined to the intestinal lining.
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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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  • Cleaveland Clinic, Understanding the differences between IBD and IBS. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ibd-vs-ibs. Accessed June 24, 2024.