Crohns disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic
inflammatory disease of the intestines, but is closely related to another
chronic inflammatory condition that involves only the colon called ulcerative colitis.
It primarily causes ulcerations of the small and large
intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the
anus.
The most popular theory of what causes Crohns
disease is that the bodys immune system reacts abnormally, mistaking bacteria,
foods and other substances as being foreign.
The immune systems response is to attack these invaders.
During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the
intestines, producing chronic inflammation.