IBS vs. Celiac
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease are two conditions that can affect the digestive system. When it comes to IBS vs. celiac, they share some similarities, but there are some crucial differences too.
This article explains all you need to know about IBS and celiac disease and how to differentiate one from the other.
What is IBS?
IBS is a functional digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. It causes changes to the gut’s muscular contractions and leads to a variety of digestive symptoms. However, it does not cause inflammation or damage the lining of the intestine.
IBS is estimated to affect around 11% of the population.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an immune disorder that affects the small intestine. It occurs when the immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in various cereals. Some of the most common gluten-containing grains are wheat, barley and rye, although there are several others.
Like IBS, celiac disease can cause digestive symptoms, although this is not always the case. It can also cause other symptoms throughout the body. Over time, it can damage the intestines and prevent nutrients from being absorbed efficiently, leading to long-term complications.
Celiac disease affects around 1% of the population.
IBS and Celiac Symptoms: Similarities and Differences
Both conditions can cause similar symptoms, including:
- Abdominal pain and cramping.
- Bloating after eating certain foods.
- Gas.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Changes in stool consistency.
However, celiac disease does not always cause these symptoms. Furthermore, it can cause other issues in different parts of the body. For example:
- Weight loss.
- Acid reflux.
- Itchy skin, rashes, or blisters.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
- Joint pain.
- Headaches.
- Mouth sores.
- Dental problems.
If the intestines become damaged and cannot absorb nutrients properly, complications like anemia and osteoporosis (weak bones) can occur. It can also cause poor growth and development in children.
Is There a Relationship Between IBS and Celiac Disease?
There appears to be some overlap between IBS and celiac disease. According to a 2020 review, people with IBS have a 2.75% to 4.48% greater risk of having celiac disease than people without IBS. The authors also estimate that 22% to 38% of people with celiac disease experience IBS symptoms.
Additionally, both conditions may benefit from eating a gluten-free diet. Some people with IBS are sensitive to gluten but do not have celiac disease. Furthermore, many gluten-containing foods are also high in FODMAPs, a type of carbohydrate that can trigger IBS symptoms in many individuals.
Therefore, it can sometimes be challenging to tell the difference between IBS and celiac disease. In fact, an estimated 5% to 15% of celiac patients were originally given a diagnosis of IBS. However, it is essential to know the difference between the two in order to avoid serious long-term health problems.
IBS vs. Celiac: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Another thing that IBS and celiac disease have in common is that we are still unsure precisely what causes them. However, we do understand the different ways in which they affect the body and, therefore, how to treat them. Let’s look at each one in more detail.
IBS Causes
The underlying cause of IBS is unclear. However, most scientists agree that it causes alterations in the way the brain and the gut communicate. This leads to irregular intestinal contractions, causing diarrhea, constipation and pain.
The symptoms of IBS can come and go. They may be triggered by certain foods, stress, or hormonal changes.
IBS Symptoms
The most common symptoms of IBS are:
- Abdominal pain and cramping.
- Bloating.
- Gas.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Mucus in the stools.
Some people tend to experience diarrhea more frequently (IBS-D) while others tend toward constipation (IBS-C). Others experience a mixture of the two at different times (IBS-M).
IBS Treatments
The most effective way to manage IBS is by identifying trigger foods and drinks and eliminating them from one’s diet. Some common examples include:
- Caffeine.
- Carbonated beverages.
- Spicy foods.
- Greasy foods.
- High-fiber foods.
- High-FODMAP foods.
Doctors can also prescribe medication to manage specific symptoms. For example, anti-spasmodic drugs can help to relieve bloating and pain, while anti-diarrhea medication and laxatives can help diarrhea and constipation.
Celiac Causes
It is unclear what triggers celiac disease in some people but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It sometimes occurs following a stressful experience, pregnancy, or an infection.
After its initial onset, the immune system reacts every time the individual consumes gluten. This causes inflammation in the small intestine and eventually damages its lining. Over time, this can lead to nutrient deficiencies and symptoms throughout the body.
Celiac Symptoms
Celiac disease symptoms can be classified as digestive and non-digestive. Digestive symptoms typically occur after eating gluten and include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping.
- Bloating.
- Gas.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
Non-digestive symptoms may occur after eating gluten or affect an individual long-term. They include:
- Weight loss.
- Acid reflux.
- Itchy skin, rashes, or blisters.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
- Joint pain.
- Headaches.
- Mouth sores.
- Dental problems.
- Anemia.
- Increased risk of osteoporosis.
- Abnormal growth and development in children.
Not all people with celiac disease will experience all of these symptoms, meaning it can be difficult to diagnose.
Celiac Treatment
It is possible to manage most celiac disease symptoms by avoiding gluten completely. However, this is not always easy since it is often a hidden ingredient in products like spice mixes, salad dressings, supplements and more.
Doctors may also prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation in the intestine if necessary.
How to Find the Right Diagnosis
There are several tests that can confirm IBS vs. celiac. They include:
- Blood tests for celiac antibodies.
- Full blood counts to test for anemia.
- Endoscopies to identify intestinal damage.
- Intestinal biopsies.
- Bone mineral density tests to identify weakening of the bones.
There is no specific test for IBS. Doctors usually make a diagnosis after ruling out other conditions, such as celiac or inflammatory bowel disease. Anyone who has received an IBS diagnosis without excluding these conditions should ask their physician to run further tests.