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Crohn's Disease

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Department of Biological Sciences
Honors Biology
Room #110

Disease of the Digestive System
Crohn’s Disease

Dr. Juliet Durant

Cameron Palmer
March 3rd, 2011

Lab Instructors
Ashley Simpson

Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, but it most commonly the ileum of the small intestine. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ and can cause pain; in addition to making the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn’s disease (also referred to as ileitis or enteritis) is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all ages but is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Caucasian decent have an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn’s disease.
Several theories exist about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven. The human immune system is made from cells and different proteins that protect people from infection. 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. The immune system’s response is to attack these “invaders.” During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury.
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies.
Treatment may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these options. The goals of treatment are to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies, and relieve symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. At this time, treatment can help control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence, but there is no cure. Treatment for Crohn’s disease depends on the location and severity of disease, complications, and the person’s response to previous medical treatments when treated for recurring symptoms. Some people have long periods of remission, sometimes years, when they are free of symptoms. However, the disease usually recurs at various times over a person’s lifetime. This changing pattern of the disease means one cannot always tell when a treatment has helped. Predicting when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return is not possible.
Bibliography
“Crohn's Disease: MedlinePlus.” National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/crohnsdisease.html>.
Cadwaller, Jack N. Crohn's Disease: Etiology, Pathogenesis and Interventions. New York: Nova Science, 2008. Pgs. 135-140.
“Crohn’s Disease.” Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 18.3 (1975): Pgs. 209-213.

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