What is Hirschsprung’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease

Hirschsprung’s disease is a health problem that impacts the colon and makes it challenging to pass feces. It arises when there is a lack of nerve cells in the colon muscles, which may exist from birth. The primary symptom of this condition is the inability of babies to have a bowel movement within two days of their birth. Some additional indications are a bloated abdomen and vomiting. In such circumstances, surgical treatment is crucial to either bypass or eliminate the damaged part of the colon.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a syndrome or a set of conditions also termed as irritable bowel syndrome such as Crohn’s disease (a condition that results in swelling and inflammation of the gut) and ulcerative colitis (a type of IBD that causes swelling and ulcers in the colon and rectum), that lead to chronic inflammation in the intestines and affect the digestive system. While it is a lifelong ailment, proper treatments can help manage Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Similarity

Both Hirschsprung’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease affect the digestive system.

Hirschsprung’s disease 

Hirschsprung’s disease is an uncommon inborn abnormality where the colon lacks nerve cells, resulting in a blockage of the large intestine. The condition is present from birth and can cause severe constipation or even a complete bowel obstruction. Typically, it is diagnosed in infants or children, and the most common treatment is surgical removal of the affected part of the colon. 

Inflammatory bowel disease

The gastrointestinal tract is affected by a chronic medical condition known as Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or Irritable bowel disease which is caused by an unusual immune response to gut microbiome that leads to inflammation and damage of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two primary kinds of IBD: Crohn’s disease (a condition that results in swelling and inflammation of the gut) and ulcerative colitis (a type of IBD that causes swelling and ulcers in the colon and rectum). Crohn’s disease affects any part of the gut system while ulcerative colitis only affects the colon and rectum. Symptoms of IBD include tummy pain, loose stools, and rectal bleeding, among other things. Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease depends on the how severe the problem and disease is.

Difference between Hirschsprung’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease

Definition

Hirschsprung’s disease 

Hirschsprung disease is a condition that occurs during birth and results from the absence of certain nerve cells in the large intestine, causing blockage and hindering the movement of stool. This disorder affects approximately 1 in every 5,000 newborns.

Inflammatory bowel disease

The intestinal inflammation that results in chronic pain, redness, chronic swelling is caused by a combination of gut system disorders collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease (a condition that results in swelling and inflammation of the gut) and ulcerative colitis (a type of IBD that causes swelling and ulcers in the colon and rectum) are two types of IBD that affect the digestive system.

Cause

Hirschsprung’s disease

The cause of Hirschsprung’s disease is not fully understood, but it may be linked to genetics as it can run in families and be connected to a genetic mutation. The disease is characterized by incomplete formation of nerve cells in the colon, which control the muscle contractions needed for food to pass through the bowels. When these contractions are absent, stool remains in the large intestine. 

Inflammatory bowel disease

Although the precise reason for Inflammatory Bowel Disease is unclear, it is believed to result from a mixture of hereditary (genetic) and environmental elements. Those with a family background of this disease are at a greater risk of developing the condition.

Symptoms

Hirschsprung’s disease 

The signs and symptoms of Hirschsprung’s disease can differ depending on the severity of the condition. Typically, the symptoms become apparent soon after birth, but in some cases, they may not be noticeable until later in life. The most noticeable sign is when a newborn does not have a bowel movement within 48 hours after birth. Other symptoms may include a bloated stomach, vomiting (which may be green or brown), constipation or gas leading to fussiness, diarrhea, or delayed passage of meconium (the first bowel movement of a newborn). In older children, symptoms may include a bloated stomach, chronic constipation, gas, failure to thrive, and fatigue.

Inflammatory bowel disease

The symptoms of Inflammatory bowel disease can differ based on the type and degree of severity. Typical symptoms involve cramps in the abdomen, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding, while more uncommon symptoms may comprise high temperature, weakness, fatigue.

Summary

The points of difference between Hirschsprung’s disease and Inflammatory bowel disease have been summarized as below:

FAQ

Is Hirschsprung an inflammatory bowel disease? 

HSCR is a birth defect that occurs due to underdeveloped enteric nervous system, leading to Hirschsprung’s disease. The patients with HSCR have a higher likelihood of developing inflammatory bowel disease.

What can be mistaken for inflammatory bowel disease?

Autoimmune disorders (in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body) with granulomatous characteristics, such as sarcoidosis (a rare disease that leads to inflammation in any part of the body), and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), share similar symptoms with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sarcoidosis can impact multiple organ systems, but the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is affected in less than one percent of cases, which can lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, and vague endoscopic results.

What are the two types of inflammatory bowel diseases called? 

Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is the defining feature of two conditions, Crohn’s disease (a condition that results in swelling and inflammation of the gut) and ulcerative colitis (a type of IBD that causes swelling and ulcers in the colon and rectum), which together are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

What disease is similar to Hirschsprung’s? 

In some cases, children may exhibit hypoganglionosis, which refers to the presence of a limited number of ganglia. This can result in symptoms that resemble those of Hirschsprung’s disease.

What is major inflammatory bowel disease? 

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for a medical condition in which there is redness and inflammation of the intestines (gut system) that result in symptoms such as stomach pain and diarrhea. The two main types of IBD are Crohn’s disease (a condition that results in swelling and inflammation of the gut) and ulcerative colitis (a type of IBD that causes swelling and ulcers in the colon and rectum). Swelling, abdominal cramping, redness, and inflammation are typical indicators of IBD. It is crucial to keep in mind that these symptoms are commonly present in IBD.

What is the main cause of Hirschsprung disease?

Hirschsprung disease is a condition that arises when nerve cells in the intestines fail to develop properly before birth, and its causes are still being studied by experts. Some factors may contribute to issues with the growth of these nerve cells, and there are specific genes that can increase the likelihood of a child being affected by Hirschsprung disease.

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