ANSWERS: 1
  • Crohn's disease affects men and women and can run in families. About 20 percent of patients with Crohn's disease have a blood relative that has some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). Crohn's primarily affects people between the ages of 20 and 30.

    Inflammation

    Crohn's causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive tract. The disease can spread into the deeper layers of the bowel and can be painful and debilitating, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Symptoms

    Diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, blood in feces, ulcers, loss of appetite and weight loss are all symptoms of Crohn's disease.

    Cause

    No known cause of Crohn's disease has been determined. In the past, diet and stress were blamed, but now researchers believe that factors such as a malfunctioning immune system may contribute to the development of Crohn's disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Virus or Bacterium

    A virus or bacterium may be a factor involved in Crohn's disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. A Crohn's patient's immune system tries to fight the invading bacterium or virus, and the digestive tract becomes inflamed.

    Heredity

    Genetic mutations may be involved in Crohn's disease. You have a gene that is called the NOD2, which makes a protein that enables your immune system to work properly, according to Genetics Home Reference. If you have Crohn's, this gene may mutate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Source:

    Mayo Clinic: Crohn's disease causes

    Mayo Clinic: Crohn's disease definition

    Genetics Home Reference: NOD2

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