The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts abnormally in people with Crohn’s disease, mistaking bacteria, foods, and other substances for being foreign (www.gicare.com). The immune system’s response is to attack the invaders. During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury. Scientists do not know if the abnormality in the functioning of the immune system in people with Crohn’s disease is cause, or a result, of the disease (www.gicare.com). Researches have shown that the inflammation seen in the GI tract of people with Crohn’s disease involves several factors such as genes the patient has inherited, immune system and environmental factors
Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the gastrointestinal system from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s disease appears to be caused by a dysfunctional inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammation is the body’s natural way to heal by sending immune cells to the site of the injury or invader. Researchers
Chronic inflammation that accompanies this disease can lead to the formation of ulcers. Ulcers are open sores that are characterized as deep with defined borders in Crohn’s patients. Again because the disease can affect the entire GI tract, the ulcers can form in the mouth all through to the anus. Fistulas can form from ulcers extending through the intestinal wall. Fistulas are abnormal connections between different parts of the intestine or another organ.
What functions will be compromised if the ulcer eats through the submucosa and then the muscularis? Absorption would not happen correctly some of the ingested and secreted may seep out of the lumen. This also could create a pathway of entry for pathogens if the ulcer ate through to the muscularis mucosa and also lose some control of defecation. (Jenkins & Tortora pg. 825,826) B.
Crohn’s also causes small sores or ulcers on the surface of the intestines that eventually penetrate into the intestinal walls. Reduced appetite is due to the abdominal pain and cramping and weight loss is contributed to the inability to digest and absorb
Crohn's and a related disease, ulcerative colitis, are the two main disease categories that belong to a larger group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Crohn's & Collitis Foundation of America, 2011). While the exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, the condition is linked to a problem with the body's immune system response. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue. Like ulcerative colitis, another common IBD, Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications. While there is no known cure for Crohn's disease, therapies can greatly reduce the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and even bring about long-term remission.
All About Crohn’s Disease Abstract Chrohn’s Disease is easily misdiagnosed and can be confused with other diseases related to the bowel. There’s no cure for Crohn’s disease therefore medication and or surgery treats the symptoms. Changes must be made to your diet. This paper will capture the key points related to Crohn’s Disease and the patient as a whole. All About Crohn’s Disease According to Brenda Ruthruff, author of Clinical Review of Crohn’s Disease, approximately 1.5 million people in the United States and more than 2 million people in Europe suffer from Crohn’s Disease (Ruthruff, 2007).
Failure to do so results in their immune system producing antibodies which attacks the lining of their bowel causing them to have abdominal pains, constipation/diarrhoea, bloating, difficulty in gaining weight in childhood or maintaining weight in adulthood and anaemia. Because it affects the way their body can absorb nutrients it can also lead to osteoporosis and increase their risk of bowel cancer. Some foods can be bought that are labelled ‘gluten free’ but tend to be more expensive. • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the term used to describe a condition when on inspection of the bowel everything seems normal, but the person suffers with symptoms like abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating and constipation/diarrhoea. The person may want to keep a food diary to help discover which foods make their condition worse and avoid them in the future.
Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. It causes long lasting inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum, also known as the large bowel. Ulcerative Colitis is considered an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the lining of the large bowel. The exact cause of Ulcerative Colitis is unknown. It was previously thought that diet and stress were a cause, but they now know that while these factors may aggravate UC, they are not the cause.
A feeling of low energy and fatigue is also common. Loss of normal menstrual cycle, night sweats and fever are general symptoms that may also be associated with IBD. Since Crohn’s disease severely limits the ability of the affected intestine to absorb the nutrients from food, a patient may have signs of malnutrition, depending on the amount of intestine that is affected and the duration of the disease (Wexler, 2013). While an auto-reactive antibody hasn’t yet been found in Crohn’s, it is generally accepted that autoimmunity is the underlying cause. Diet and stress may aggravate Crohn’s disease, but they do not cause the disease on their own.