This can make it hard to know which condition you might have.
There are some important differences, however.
You will probably also have bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
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This article will help you tell the difference between IBS, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and celiac disease.
IBS and celiac affect different parts of the digestive system, which can cause vastly different symptoms.
IBS mainly involves your large intestine, also known as your colon.
Celiac disease, by contrast, involves the small intestine.
The small intestine is where 90% of the digestion and absorption of nutrients and minerals from food occurs.
With celiac, symptoms occur when damage to the small intestine interferes with the absorption of nutrients.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is less well understood.
These short-chain carbohydrates can ferment in the gut, causing gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and pain.
IBS is distinguished by the fact that it affects the colon (also known as the large intestine).
By contrast, celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity involve the small intestine.
It’s known as a “functional disorder.”
Celiac, however, is an autoimmune disorder.
Over time, this can cause damage to the intestinal tract.
Symptoms
People with IBS may have urgent diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both.
They may also have other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas and bloating.
People with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity may experience similar symptoms.
These may include:
IBS, celiac disease, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity share many of the same symptoms.
In addition, celiac disease is inflammatory, and IBS is not.
Diagnostic Challenges
IBS is diagnosed by exclusion.
Only then can they decide if yoursymptomsmeet the criteria for IBS.
If this happens, you may be incorrectlydiagnosedwith IBS.
This is a very common problem.
Research has found that around 5% of IBS patients actually have celiac disease.
This means a gluten-free diet should help to improve or eliminate their symptoms.
Similarly, non-celiac gluten sensitivity is diagnosed after excluding celiac disease and wheat allergy.
People are often misdiagnosed with celiac before completing the entire diagnostic process.
Some of those misdiagnosed with celiac have IBS.
Celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and IBS are diagnosed in different ways.
These people may see their IBS symptoms improve or disappear when they eat gluten-free.
A 2011 study involved 34 IBS patients whose IBS symptoms were controlled on a gluten-free diet.
Researchers assigned 19 of them to eat gluten-containing bread and muffins every day for six weeks.
The other 15 ate non-gluten-containing bread and muffins.
According to the study authors, this suggests that their symptoms were triggered at least in part by gluten.
The term “non-celiac wheat sensitivity” may be a more accurate description.
Researchers then placed their subjects on a gluten-free diet for six weeks.
Many continued to follow a gluten-free diet for 18 months and experienced ongoing relief from their IBS symptoms.
They may occur either as separate entities or as extensions of celiac disease with similar triggers and causes.
The low-FODMAP diet focuses on eliminating foods with certain complex carbohydrates.
Gluten contains a pop in of FODMAP called fructan.
Wheat is usually banned on the low-FODMAP diet.
Some experts, however, say it can be eaten in small quantities.
Summary
IBS and celiac disease can have very similar symptoms.
Both cause symptoms like gastrointestinal upset, bloating, and gas.
Healthcare providers sometimes misdiagnose celiac disease as IBS.
Because there are no tests for IBS, it can be hard to tell the difference.
People with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity improve when gluten is eliminated from the diet.
Sometimes, however, people with IBS can also see improvement when they stop eating gluten.
If you tested negative for celiac, you might still want to consider trying a gluten-free diet.
Currently, there are no accepted medical tests to diagnose gluten sensitivity.
You also can try a low-FODMAP diet to see if that helps your symptoms.
Many low-FODMAP recipes also are gluten-free, so it’s easy to follow both diets at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
you’re able to develop celiac at any age.
Your gut bacteria may also play a role.
The most common sign of celiac is chronic diarrhea.
However, you may also have constipation, or alternate between diarrhea and constipation.
In addition, other digestive issues like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain are typical.
There is not a test that can definitively diagnose IBS.
Many people with IBS notice an increase in symptoms when they eat gluten.
Its unclear whether gluten itself causes this or if it occurs due to sensitivity to other nutrients.
It’s also possible that someone with celiac disease may be misdiagnosed with IBS.
Bloating in people without celiac disease may take a few days to a week to subside.
Those with celiac may experience symptoms for up to six months after stopping gluten.
Celiac bowel movements tend to be pale, greasy, and have a bad odor.
In addition, you may experience both diarrhea and constipation.
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