What's the difference between IBS and IBD? IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a functional condition - there's no structural damage to the gut lining, and it doesn't show up on colonoscopy or imaging. IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves actual inflammation and tissue damage that is visible on investigation. The two can share some overlapping symptoms, but they're distinct conditions with different mechanisms and treatment approaches. Does the low-FODMAP diet actually work for IBS? It works for symptom management in a lot of people - often meaningfully so. Reducing fermentable carbohydrates lowers the fuel available for bacterial…