Dangerous Confusion: Indians Mistake Serious IBD for Common IBS

• Many Indians dangerously confuse Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
• IBS is a functional disorder with no physical damage, while IBD involves severe immune-driven inflammation, ulcers, and long-term gut damage.
• Delayed IBD diagnosis due to self-treatment or casual dismissal leads to severe complications like anemia, poor growth, and increased cancer risk.
• Red-flag signs for IBD include blood/mucus in stool, weight loss, night-time pain/diarrhoea, fever, fatigue, or mouth ulcers.
• Consult a gastroenterologist for persistent gut issues, especially with red flags, and insist on proper IBD evaluation.

Why It Matters: Don't dismiss chronic gut issues; distinguish IBS from serious IBD for timely treatment.