Is IBS an Autoimmune Disease? Understanding Symptoms and Diagnosis in 2025

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is classified as a functional bowel disorder rather than an autoimmune disease. Despite this distinction, some autoimmune diseases share similar symptoms with IBS, and it is possible to be diagnosed with both conditions simultaneously.

This article explores the relationship between autoimmune diseases and IBS, highlighting why accurate diagnosis is crucial.

What Defines an Autoimmune Disease?

Your immune system protects you by identifying and attacking foreign invaders such as:

• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Toxins
• Viruses

When detecting these threats, your immune system produces antibodies to fight them, which helps prevent illness or reduce symptom severity. In autoimmune diseases, however, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation and damage.

The symptoms vary depending on the affected body parts, with autoimmune diseases often characterized by flare-ups followed by remission periods. Over 100 autoimmune diseases exist, many affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Understanding Functional Bowel Disorders

Functional bowel disorders occur when the GI tract does not function properly despite no visible abnormalities. These include:

• IBS
• Functional constipation (less than three bowel movements per week or incomplete evacuation)
• Functional diarrhea (frequent loose stools without abdominal pain)
• Functional bloating (abdominal swelling without another cause)

Factors influencing GI function can include:

• Calcium or aluminum-containing antacids
• Medications such as antidepressants, narcotics, and iron supplements
• Routine changes like travel
• Low-fiber or dairy-rich diets
• Frequent antacid use
• Suppressing bowel movements
• Physical inactivity
• Pregnancy
• Stress

Exploring the Link Between IBS and Autoimmune Diseases

Emerging studies suggest a potential connection where autoimmune diseases might increase the risk of developing IBS. However, further research is necessary to confirm this relationship.

Autoimmune Diseases That Mimic IBS Symptoms

Systemic autoimmune diseases often cause inflammation leading to IBS-like symptoms. These symptoms can result from the disease itself, treatments, or coexist as separate disorders.

Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents with symptoms such as anorexia, fatigue, fever, malaise, and weight loss. GI symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects joints but also causes GI issues like diarrhea, esophageal problems, flatulence, gastritis, hiatal hernia, and weight loss.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

This arthritis form targets the spine, causing fatigue, appetite loss, weight loss, poor posture, and stiffness. It may also inflame the bowels, sometimes coexisting with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Sjögren Syndrome

Affecting salivary and tear glands, Sjögren syndrome leads to dry eyes, dry mouth, and swallowing difficulties. It can impact the entire GI tract, causing indigestion, esophageal atrophy, and nausea.

Behcet’s Disease

Behcet’s disease affects blood vessels and can produce GI lesions, abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), nausea, and digestive tract ulcers.

Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)

Scleroderma causes excessive collagen production, resulting in impaired taste, restricted movement, skin thickening, lip thinning, and mouth tightness that complicates eating. GI symptoms may include bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Diagnosing IBS in 2024

To distinguish IBS from autoimmune diseases, doctors review your medical and family history, including medications, recent infections, stress levels, diagnosed conditions, and dietary triggers.

A physical exam is followed by blood and stool tests to exclude infections or other diseases. Depending on findings, further tests like colonoscopy or imaging may be necessary.

Ruling Out Autoimmune Diseases

IBS diagnosis is symptom-based, as no definitive test exists. Criteria include:

• Symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, or altered bowel habits lasting over 3 months
• Intermittent symptoms for at least 6 months
• Impact on quality of life
• No alternative explanation for symptoms

Causes of IBS

The exact cause of IBS remains unclear, likely involving multiple factors that vary by individual. Potential contributors include:

• Stressful events or chronic stress
• Mental health disorders like anxiety or depression
• GI bacterial or viral infections
• Gut bacterial imbalance or overgrowth
• Intestinal inflammation
• Food sensitivities or intolerances
• Irregular intestinal muscle contractions

Key Takeaways

IBS is a functional bowel disorder, not an autoimmune disease, but ongoing research explores their possible connection. Several autoimmune diseases and their treatments share IBS-like symptoms, and coexistence is possible.

Accurate diagnosis requires ruling out autoimmune disorders due to symptom overlap, ensuring appropriate treatment and management.

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