Is IBS an Autoimmune Disease? Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Is IBS an autoimmune disease? This may not be a notion you’ve thought about. But, for anyone who regularly suffers from distressing stomach discomfort, here are key things to know.
Digestive discomfort is one of the main reasons people visit their doctor. And most are relatively harmless problems that can be resolved with over-the-counter remedies. However, according to the CDC, as of 2015, about 1.5% of the American population has been diagnosed with some sort of irritable bowel disease with autoimmune origins.
Additionally, millions more suffer from IBS which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. So is IBS an autoimmune disorder? The answer is not entirely clear cut as science in gastroenterology is still evolving with the growing prevalence of these diseases. But there is a clear difference between the two conditions, which are explained more below.
IBS vs. IBD and Autoimmune Disease
For the purposes of this article, we will distinguish between IBS and IBD.
What is IBS?
IBS, as mentioned, is a syndrome, rather than a disease. This is an important distinction because in medical terms, while a disease is a disease, a syndrome is simply a set of symptoms that all add up to some sort of disorder in the body. But the important thing to note is that this does not necessarily mean a disease is present.
Consequently, IBS is often called a "disease of exclusion" by gut doctors, referring to the fact that it is diagnosed only after other conditions have been eliminated. So, the same two people could be “diagnosed” with IBS, but have symptoms that occur in different quantities and combinations.
What is IBD?
Alternatively, IBD is defined by healthcare professionals as “Irritable Bowel Disease” to define diagnosed autoimmune disorders that affect the digestive system. These include conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
People with IBD are often diagnosed in their early 20s to 30s or in their 50s and 60s. Those with IBD often experience symptoms like diarrhea, blood in the stool, bloating, gas, cramping and occasional constipation. Given that these symptoms can happen occasionally to the perfectly healthy person, it’s easy to see how people get IBD, IBS and just regular old indigestion confused.
Why is IBD an Autoimmune Disorder?
In case you're not familiar with autoimmune disorders, they are incurable dysregulations of the immune system. In IBD, these dysregulations incorrectly prompt it to attack the bowel and cause inflammation. In short, the immune system gets confused and sees its own body’s cells and tissues as a threat as if it was an infection.
How is IBS Diagnosed?
So, how is IBS diagnosed? How can you know which one you are suffering from? Well, you may not like the answer. Unlike IBD, IBS cannot be definitively diagnosed with a test. Your doctor can order a stool sample to test for things like infections or if you are having malabsorption issues to narrow down how to treat your type of IBS.
More invasive procedures like a colonoscopy or endoscopy can also be requested if someone with IBS symptoms suspects IBD.
Cause of IBS vs. IBD
So, what causes IBS in the first place? Is IBS hereditary?
The cause of IBS is less clear, but many cases are: caused by viral infections. If you have IBS, however, the triggers are more important than the cause.
IBS symptoms are typically caused by foods that your gut does not agree with like lactose, gluten or other proteins. Recently, a group of foods that have been identified as a major trigger of IBS are FODMAPS (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols). These are a group of carbohydrates that don’t tend to digest well in most people, but cause significant symptoms in others.
Three common triggers of the onset of IBD are:
A genetic predisposition
Something harmful in the environment
An illness
Research Around Managing IBS
Some studies have shown that a diet low in FODMAPs improves symptoms when compared to a traditional American diet. But given the large number of foods that fall under the FODMAP category, a FODMAP diet can be tricky to adopt.
Weight Loss and IBS
Many of my private clients who are trying to lose weight experience GI issues…so they’re in the right place. I am a Monash FODMAP Trained Dietitian and help people suffering from IBS as well as those looking to improve their quality of life with a low FODMAP diet.
IBS Resources
If you are suffering from IBS, IBD or believe you’re suffering from these disorders, Monash University, the CDC and American College of Gastroenterology can provide you with more information and fact sheets.
The IBS Network can even connect you to support groups to help those who are newly diagnosed with the disease and need support. Or just to those who want to connect with others who share the same condition.
Contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of autoimmune digestive disorders. A timely diagnosis will allow you to begin treatment right away and begin feeling better. Since undiagnosed disorders can cause serious damage to the organs, an early diagnosis is vital to saving your health.
