Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It primarily causes ulcerations in the small and large intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere between the mouth and the anus. It is also called Morbus Crohn's, Granulomatous enteritis, Regional enteritis, or Terminal ileitis. The disease is found in equal frequency in men and women, and usually affects young patients in their teens or early twenties. Once the disease begins, it tends to be a chronic, recurrent condition with periods of remission. The disease tends to be more common in relatives of patients with Crohn's disease.

Currently, Crohn's disease is believed to be related to abnormalities in the response of the body's immune system to the bowel contents. The body's immune system is composed of cells and proteins that normally protect the body from infections or other foreign invaders. In normal individuals, no immune response will be directed against food, bacteria, and other substances in the intestines. In patients with Crohn's disease, the immune system seems to react actively to a variety of substances and/or bacteria in the intestines, causing inflammation, bowel injury, and ulcerations. This abnormally active immune system is believed to be genetically inherited. First degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease (brothers, sisters, sons and daughters) are more likely to develop the disease.