Final answer:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the correct answer since it is associated with a set of gastrointestinal symptoms related to stress without inflammation being present in the intestines. IBS is different from Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which involves inflammation due to the immune system's actions, or from Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastroenteritis, both of which involve inflammation or infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with stress but without inflammation of the intestines is Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unlike Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which involves immune system attacks on the intestines causing inflammation, IBS is characterized by a collection of symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. IBS is a chronic condition that is treated by managing symptoms, which can be triggered by stress among other factors.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, types of diseases in which the immune system attacks the intestines. Inflammation is a key hallmark of IBD. On the other hand, gastroenteritis involves inflammation of both the stomach and intestinal lining, usually due to an infection, causing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) involves ulcers typically in the stomach or duodenum, which can be a result of a bacterial infection or excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).