Question

I have irritable bowel disease, which has caused me to lose a good deal weight and be constantly tired. Can I get disability benefits from Social Security?

Answer

I think you may have meant to say "inflammatory bowel disease" (IBD). The two types of inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition, diverticulitis is a sometimes-related form of inflammation in the large intestine.

To qualify for disability benefits for these conditions, your bowel disease needs to have caused severe weight loss, chronic anemia, or a physical abnormality such as a bowel obstruction, abscess, fistula, or tender abdominal mass. For more information, read our articles on:

• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis, or
• diverticulitis.

Also, IBD is sometimes confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is usually more difficult to get disability benefits for than IBD.