What is the Difference Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease?

Irritable bowel syndrome has similar symptoms to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. However, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease are bowel disorders with inflammation and IBS is not.

Ulcerative colitis is when the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops ulcers. The chronic symptoms of this disorder may include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances, achiness, joint pain, itchiness, flatulence and bloating.

Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder that commonly affects the small intestine. Inflammation of the bowel lining is severe and deep in the intestinal wall. Scar tissue can build up from sores and ulcers and cause blockages in the intestines. Symptoms may include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, anorexia, nausea, food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, vomiting, headaches, itchiness, flatulence, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Diagnosis of these digestive disorders can be complicated because of the similarity of symptoms.

Is prescription medication my only option for controlling bowel disorder symptoms?

The television is filled with prescription medication commercials vowing to "give" people their life back from painful disease symptoms. The problem with this picture though is that the use of synthetic chemicals is only an attempt to "relieve" illness symptoms, and they do not "fix" the underlying cause. Also, there are significant side effects when taking drug medications.

Initially, drugs may seem to be making you better, because the painful symptoms have diminished or have subsided altogether. However, what has really happened is your body's warning system has been shut off. The underlying cause of the symptoms is just being ignored.

When a problem is not truly dealt with and resolved, it will rear its ugly head at some point in the future. Your own experience may have taught you this, and it is why you are looking for a natural solution.

IBS and other bowel disorders can be addressed through natural holistic means. You won't only be addressing the symptoms, but you will be healing your body at the core.