Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) caused by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. While it may affect any part of the digestive system, it typically manifests at the end of the small intestine, ileum, where it joins the large intestine, colon. It can also affect the eyes, skin, and joints as it is an inflammatory disease.

Crohn’s disease should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Irritable bowel syndrome is not characterized by intestinal inflammation.

It is estimated that about 700,000 people in the country are affected by Crohn’s disease. It affects both men and women equally. It can affect people of any age, but it usually manifests for the first time between the ages of 15-35 years. About a fifth of the patients with Crohn’s disease have a blood relative who has suffered from the same condition.

While its exact causes are unknown, Crohn’s disease is chronic, and the symptoms range from mild to severe. It is not contagious and is not caused by the food a patient eats. But, diet and stress may aggravate it.

Let’s look at some of the causes of Crohn’s disease.

• Immunity: When the immune system is already compromised, it leads to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which can, in turn, lead to Crohn’s disease.
  The immune system is a complex system of cells that defend the body against disease, toxins, and foreign objects. These cells protect the body from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. Some microbes are good for us and our digestive tract, and our immune system leaves them alone. But the immune system deals with those that are harmful to the body by releasing chemicals, cells, and fluids. When they attack the germs and disease-causing microbes, it can lead to inflammation. Once the immune reaction is over, the inflammation subsides.
  For people with Crohn’s disease, this inflammation does not subside easily, as their immune system is overactive. The immune response may be triggered for good microbes as well, or the immune response does not stop after tackling the offending substances and toxins. This leads to chronic inflammation, which builds up over time in the digestive tract. As a result, ulcers and other injuries to the gastrointestinal tract may occur. Eventually, this may lead to the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
• Genes: A patient may get this condition if they inherit genes that make them more susceptible to Crohn’s disease.
  This condition is more common in some ethnic groups, like Jews, and is also common in Caucasians.
• Environment: Bacteria or virus in the air, as well as other substances, can trigger an immune response. Once this response starts, it may be hard to stop in people who have Chron’s disease. Some foreign bodies can also cause inflammation or may stimulate the body’s defense mechanisms.

Crohn’s disease is believed to be caused by a combination of an overactive immune system, genes, and environmental factors, but research is underway to understand the causes of this condition better.