Digestive discomfort is one of those universally unpleasant experiences that can range from a minor inconvenience to a daily battle. For many, understanding the root cause of these issues is a complex puzzle, especially when conditions like Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are in play. These gastrointestinal disorders not only share some symptomatic overlap but also require different approaches to treatment and management.

Let's explore how these gut health concerns are different from each other, and what you need to know if you suspect you're dealing with Crohn's, Celiac disease, or IBS.

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Three Culprits: Celiac, Crohn’s, & IBS

The trio of Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and IBS are often mentioned in the same breath due to their association with gluten sensitivity, inflammation of the digestive tract, and comparable symptoms like chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. However, their specifics differ significantly and understanding these nuances is the first step in managing your health effectively.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When people with Celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system responds in a big way that ultimately leads to damage in the small intestine's lining. Over time, this can prevent the absorption of nutrients.

Common symptoms include digestive issues, fatigue, and weight loss, but Celiac disease can also lead to other systemic symptoms like skin rashes, anemia, and depression. Symptoms of Celiac disease aren't limited to just the digestive tract, but they are generally alleviated if patients stop eating gluten and adopt a gluten-free diet.

Related: Going Gluten-Free to Manage ADHD Symptoms

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn's disease is one of two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the other being ulcerative colitis. Crohn's can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine.

Studies show that people who are genetically susceptible to Crohn's disease likely have an overactivity of the gut immune response against otherwise beneficial flora that reside in the gastrointestinal tract (1). Crohn's and Celiac disease are both considered autoimmune disorders.

Symptoms of Crohn's disease can include severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and ulcers, along with potential complications such as bowel obstructions and fistulas.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS, on the other hand, is a functional gastrointestinal disorder where the gut's functionality and structure appear normal, despite the gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by the individual.

Symptoms of IBS can include chronic or intermittent diarrhea and/or constipation, along with abdominal pain and bloating. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but it's thought to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors that influence the gut-brain axis (2).

Read: You Must Address Anxiety to Heal IBS, Studies Say

Comparing the Symptoms

Distinguishing between the three conditions can be complex, as they share similar symptoms.

Common Threads

All three disorders can present with gastrointestinal distress, such as abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits, and discomfort or pain related to bowel movements.

The Cornerstone of Celiac Disease

Unique to Celiac disease are symptoms such as dermatitis herpetiformis (a chronic itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, and issues affecting the nervous system. It is also characterized by a rise in immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in the blood (3). 

Shop: At-Home Food Sensitivity Test

Crohn's Distinction

Studies looking at antibodies present in patients with Crohn's disease found that the most sensitive and specific test showed positive anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (4). The identification of these markers can help differentiate Crohn’s disease from other digestive problems like ulcerative colitis. 

Crohn's can lead to severe inflammation, deepening ulcers, and connective tissue infiltrating the bowel wall, potentially causing complications such as strictures, fistulas, abscesses, and malnutrition.

IBS Symptoms May Come & Go

IBS is characterized by chronic, relapsing symptoms which can include diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bouts of both, often accompanied by other functional symptoms such as bloating and discomfort. IBS is usually diagnosed once other potential conditions like Celiac or Crohn’s disease have been ruled out (5).

Related: 5 Signs SIBO is Behind Your IBS Symptoms