Differentiating Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Colon Cancer Treatment
Half the battle in treating irritable bowel syndrome is understanding the condition. In many situations, managing the discomfort associated with IBS is about lifestyle and diet adjustments. In some cases, medication or psychological treatments are helpful, but an IBS-friendly diet is what seems to go a long way in bringing comfort to a great number of sufferers.
An IBS diet is based on what best suits an individual. What aggravates one persons stomach doesnt necessarily aggravate another persons gut. People with IBS tend to do better with soluble fiber, which is fiber the body can digest. Foods such as oats, barley, bananas, apples, carrots, and potatoes are examples of soluble fiber. Wholegrains, bran, nuts, and seeds are insoluble fiber.
The diet will have to be adjusted depending on whether you have constipation or diarrhea with IBS. It is helpful to reduce coffee and tea intake and limit your artificial sweetener use if you suffer from diarrhea. Reduce intake of starch, avoid leaving long gaps between meals, and drink at least eight cups of fluid a day.
Exercise has been known to relieve the physical and psychological symptoms of IBS, so maintaining physical activity is important. Some people who suffer from IBS also find that probiotics are helpful. They are known to improve digestive health.
The attending doctor may consider a number of different medications for everything from spasm control to constipation relief to depression when you suffer from IBS.
How To Differentiate Between Ibs And Colon Cancer
How To Differentiate Between Ibs And Colon Cancer. Ibs results from a blend of many factors that can change how your gi tract works. There is no sign of disease when the colon is looked at and, much like a headache or muscle strain.
Our colorectal cancer nomograms are online prediction tools that are designed to help physicians these tools are only appropriate for patients with tumors found in the colon between the pouch grade: Cancers that are higher grade or poorly differentiated. We present a case of a young woman with sigmoid endometriosis, in which the initial diagnostic workup suggested colon cancer. Discover how you can find relief from irritable bowel syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome affects the large intestine and can it may be difficult to differentiate between a food allergy or intolerance, and an actual ibs trigger. If colon cancer develops, many treatments are available to help control it, including surgery, radiation therapy and drug treatments, such as chemotherapy colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, which is a term that combines colon cancer and rectal cancer, which begins in the rectum.
What Are Surgical Treatments For Crohns Disease
As many as 7 in 10 people with Crohns disease eventually need surgery when medications no longer provide symptom relief. During a bowel resection, a surgeon:
- Removes the diseased bowel segment.
- Connects the two ends of the healthy bowel together .
After surgery, the remaining part of the bowel adapts and functions as it did before. Approximately 6 in 10 people who undergo surgery for Crohns disease will have a recurrence within 10 years. Another bowel resection may be a good option for you.
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Ibs Vs Colon Cancer: Differences Worth Knowing
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS and colon cancer are two different conditions but share common symptoms which make it very difficult for a normal person to differentiate between the two conditions. IBS is a common gut disorder than can affect an individual of any age group. Colon Cancer on the other hand is a much severe condition.
The diagnosis for IBS requires evaluation of the colon and clinical testing of colon. On the other hand, Colon cancer is diagnosed by conducting a test called as colonoscopy. It is important to note that IBS may occur along with colon cancer. Thus, it can be a big mistake to assume that you cannot have colon cancer if you are diagnosed with IBS.
How Is Ibd Diagnosed
Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis cause similar symptoms. No single test can diagnose either condition.
To make a diagnosis, your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms. Your workup may start with a complete blood count and stool test to look for signs of intestinal inflammation.
You may also get one or more of these diagnostic tests:
- Colonoscopy to examine the large and small intestines.
- EUS to check the digestive tract for swelling and ulcers.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy to examine the inside of the rectum and anus.
- Imaging scan, such as a CT scan or MRI, to check for signs of inflammation or an abscess.
- Upper endoscopy to examine the digestive tract from the mouth to the start of the small intestine.
- Capsule endoscopy using a small camera device that you swallow. The camera captures images as it travels through the digestive tract.
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Causes Of Bowel Cancer
Cancer occurs when the cells in a certain area of your body divide and multiply too rapidly. This produces a lump of tissue known as a tumour.
Most cases of bowel cancer first develop inside clumps of cells on the inner lining of the bowel. These clumps are known as polyps. However, if you develop polyps, it does not necessarily mean you will get bowel cancer.
Exactly what causes cancer to develop inside the bowel is still unknown. However, research has shown several factors may make you more likely to develop it. These factors are outlined below.
Symptoms Of Colon Cancer In Women
Although colorectal cancer is slightly more common in men, 1 in every 24 women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in her life. Heeding the early warning signs is especially important for women as it can be difficult to distinguish some symptoms from gynecological or menstrual issues.
Get to know your body well so that you can report any changes in your health to your physician, particularly if any of these symptoms last longer than one month:
- Change in bowel habits
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Abdominal pain, cramping, bloating or discomfort
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained anemia or iron deficiency
While these symptoms can be caused by something other than cancer, such as a poor diet, a viral infection, hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome, you need an accurate diagnosis from your gynecologist or primary care physician.
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When To Seek Medical Advice
Read about the symptoms of bowel cancer, and when you should see your GP to discuss whether any tests are necessary.
Your doctor will probably carry out a simple examination of your tummy and bottom to make sure you have no lumps.
They may also arrange for a simple blood test to check for iron deficiency anaemia this can indicate whether there is any bleeding from your bowel that you haven’t been aware of.
In some cases, your doctor may decide it is best for you to have a simple test in hospital to make sure there is no serious cause for your symptoms.
Make sure you return to your doctor if your symptoms persist or keep coming back after stopping treatment, regardless of their severity or your age.
Read more about how bowel cancer is treated and living with bowel cancer
The Colon Cancer Pain Vs Ibs Pain
You may be wondering if the pain of the IBS is different from the pain of colon cancer?
To answer this question, I dug into research papers and I found a shocking fact
your abdominal pain is not the thing to worry about.
Studies found that abdominal pain is a single symptom is the least common sign of cancer colon less than 4% .
People always get worried about their abdominal pain. But abdominal pain is not a thing to worry about when coming to colon cancer Unless your pain is not typical for IBS.
Unlike IBS, abdominal pain from colon cancer attends to be:
- dull constant pain,
- usually not related to meals
While the IBS pain is:
- fluctuant colicky pain.
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Can Ibs Lead To Colon Cancer
IBS, with all its discomforts and inconveniences, doesnt cause damage to your digestive tract or lead to other health problems.
A 2010 trial found that when undergoing colonoscopy, people with IBS were no more likely to have structural abnormalities of the colon than healthy people.
They also found that people with IBS are at no greater risk of precancerous polyps or colon cancer.
Seek the advice of a doctor if you have any concerns about abdominal discomfort or changes in bowel habits. Symptoms of IBS can also indicate a variety of other conditions, including colon cancer.
Other signs that you should see a doctor right away include:
- persistent abdominal pain
- vomiting
- weight loss
Having IBS doesnt increase your risk of colon cancer, but that doesnt mean you should ignore symptoms. To be on the safe side, tell your doctor about new symptoms such as rectal bleeding, narrowed stool, or weight loss.
Talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening. For most people, colonoscopy screening should begin at age 50.
If you have a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Vs Colon Cancer: Causes Symptoms Risk Factors And Complications
Written byDr. Victor MarchionePublished onJuly 6, 2016
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common gut disorder that shares the same symptoms as colon cancer, making it difficult for people to figure out on their own if they have a bowel condition or, perhaps, something more serious.
You should never self-diagnose. If you experience uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms, get a full medical evaluation instead of making it a guessing game. In some cases, it could be irritable bowel syndrome but then again, it might as well be colon cancer.
IBS diagnosis requires stool testing and colon structure evaluation. A test called a colonoscopy can often detect colon cancer. It is important to point out that if you are diagnosed with IBS, it doesnt mean that you cant get colon cancer. In other words, you should not assume that you are immune to it.
When it comes to irritable bowel syndrome vs. colon cancer, IBS is one of the most common disorders seen by doctors, impacting literally millions of Americans, while this year , there will be 95,000 new colon cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S.
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How Colon Cancer Develops
Colon cancer begins with small polyps in the intestine. When they are small, there are few if any symptoms at all. These polyps, however, can gradually mutate into cancerous cells.
There is a five year 92% survival rate if colon cancer is caught in its early stages. The rate drops if caught later. To be safe, begin having screenings at age 45 unless you have other risk factors that may warrant diagnostic testing at a younger age.
Why Is My Poop Long And Skinny
Narrowing of the stool may be due to a mass in the colon or rectum that limits the size of the stool that can pass through it. Conditions that cause diarrhea can also cause pencil thin stools. Persistent pencil thin stool, which may be solid or loose, is one of the symptoms of colorectal polyps or cancer.
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What Are The Types Of Ibd
Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis are the main types of IBD. Types include:
- Crohns disease causes pain and swelling in the digestive tract. It can affect any part from the mouth to the anus. It most commonly affects the small intestine and upper part of the large intestine.
- Ulcerative colitis causes swelling and sores in the large intestine .
- Microscopic colitis causes intestinal inflammation thats only detectable with a microscope.
Whats The Difference Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease And Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBD is a disease IBS is a syndrome, or group of symptoms. The causes and treatments are different.
IBS is a type of functional gastrointestinal disease. It affects how the bowels function, causing them to contract more often than usual. IBS is also known as spastic colon or nervous stomach.
IBS doesnt inflame or damage the intestines like IBD, so imaging scans cant detect it and it doesnt increase the risk of colon cancer. People with IBS rarely need hospitalization or surgery.
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Ibs Or Ibd: How To Tell The Difference
People often confuse irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease . Both are common illnesses that affect the gut, have similar symptoms and affect a person’s quality-of-life. But IBS and IBD are very different, despite their almost identical acronyms. The disease process, the damage it can wreak on your body, and the long-term outcomes can vary greatly. In fact, one can be life-threatening if it isn’t treated early.
Understanding the differences between IBD and IBS is important for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. If you think you might have one or both of these conditions, here’s what you need to know.
Is There A Connection Between Ibs And Colon Cancer
IBS can cause discomfort and pain in the abdomen. However, because it does not cause inflammation or other damage to the GI tract, it does not increase a persons risk of developing colon cancer.
In a 2010 trial study of over 900 people, researchers noted similar results. They found that people with suspected IBS had the same risk of developing cancer as those living with healthy bowels.
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Is It Ibs Or Cancer
Some types of cancer can cause a few of the same symptoms as IBS. Diagnostic testing can rule these out. Unlike IBS, colon cancer can cause rectal bleeding, bloody stools, and marked weight loss.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include appetite loss and lack of energy. Women with ovarian cancer may notice their clothes feeling tight due to increased abdominal girth.
Such symptoms dont normally show up until the advanced stages, which makes early detection even more critical.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
Multiple factors, including some that are out of their control, may put people at greater risk of colorectal cancer. People are at greater risk if they:
- Have a family history of colorectal cancer
- Have a personal history of colon polyps or colon cancer
- Have an inherited condition, including Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis
- Eat a high-fat diet and a lot of processed meat or red meat
- Do relatively little exercise
- Are age 50 or older
- Are overweight
- Drink moderate to heavy amounts of alcohol
- Have diabetes
- Have been exposed to radiation in the abdominal area, such as from previous cancer treatments
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How Can I Prevent Inflammatory Bowel Disease
While there isnt anything you can do to prevent IBD, certain dietary and lifestyle changes may control the symptoms. You can:
- Eat smaller meals every two to four hours.
- Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, movement like tai chi, listening to music or going for a walk.
- Get plenty of sleep and stay physically active.
- Keep a food diary to identify foods that trigger IBD flares. You may find you have a food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance. If so, your body has a harder time digesting certain foods, which causes stomach upset.
- Reduce foods that irritate the intestines, such as those that are fibrous, spicy, greasy or made with milk. During flares, choose soft, bland foods that are less inflammatory.
- Cut back on caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
Difference Between Ibs And Colorectal Cancer
Many common gastrointestinal disorders such as hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome , infection and bowel disease inflammation such as Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis may seem to be quite close to Colorectal Cancer. We usually experience many of the same symptoms.
Some disorders, such as IBS, diverticulitis, and IBD can cause belly pain, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, or a combination.
In addition, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis may cause you to lose weight without attempting to make your stool look black or bloody. If you have hemorrhoids, you could also see blood in the toilet or in the tissue, although it usually looks bright red.
Although any of these signs can be caused by colorectal cancer, there are also some major differences. Do not treat by your own, visit the best gastroenterologist in OKC to get the right treatment.
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Additional Risk Factors For Colon Cancer
If you find yourself on this list below, you are at a higher risk for colon cancer, and you might want to begin screening earlier and more frequently than what is recommended for the general population.
As you age, you are put at an increased risk to develop colon cancer, although in the last decade more young adults are being diagnosed with this particular condition. If you are African-American, have chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon like ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease, your risk also increases. Other risk factors to consider include:
- Having a family history of colon cancer
- A personal history of colon polyps or colon cancer
- Eating a high fat and low fiber diet
- Engaging in a sedentary lifestyle
- Being overweight
- Smokers and those who drink alcohol excessively
- Radiation therapy in the abdominal area for previous cancers
- Diabetes
There is no doubt that routine colorectal cancer screenings are all-important. Contact Digestive Health Services to schedule a screening, especially if you are experiencing any symptoms of IBS or colon cancer.
As always, if you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 6 today!
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