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IBS & IBD
Reclaim your life with advanced, compassionate, results-focused care.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that causes the colon to function improperly. It is prevalent in people of all ages and affects roughly 5 million Americans. Although IBS doesn’t damage the digestive tract or cause other health problems, its symptoms are uncomfortable, embarrassing and life-changing. And they may be a sign of some other, more serious disorder.
The symptoms of IBS include:
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Difficult, infrequent or altered bowel habits
- Diarrhea or frequent loose stools • Gas & bloating
- Mucus in stool • Pellet-shaped or ribbon-shaped stool
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that cause swelling and inflammation in the intestines and affect as many as 1 million Americans. Often confused with IBS, IBD refers to two chronic diseases:
- Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the GI tract and causes inflammation that extends deeper into the intestinal wall than with ulcerative colitis.
- Ulcerative colitis affects the inner lining of the large intestine (colon), causing it to become inflamed and develop ulcers.
Symptoms of IBD can include:
- Mild to severe diarrhea • Abdominal pain • Fever • Fatigue
- Rectal bleeding, sometimes leading to anemia
- Weight loss, dehydration & malnutrition
- Possible delayed development & stunted growth in children
Diagnosing IBS & IBD.
The causes of IBS and IBD are not known, and diagnosis of both disorders is challenging. A diagnosis of either IBS or IBD requires the ruling out of other potential causes of symptoms. Medical history, physical examination, blood tests and other exams, including upper endoscopy (EGD) and lower endoscopy, help gastroenterologists diagnose and differentiate these disorders.
Trust skilled, experienced care.
At Granite Peaks Gastroenterology, our board-certified gastroenterologists have the skill, capabilities and expertise to diagnose and differentiate IBS and IBD. Most importantly, we help relieve your symptoms and treat any underlying problems with the compassion, personal dedication and heartfelt concern you deserve. Get the relief you need. Call us today.
To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, please call our office at (801) 619-9000 or use our online Request an Appointment form. For additional information on any condition, treatment or procedure, please visit our Health Education Library.
