Crohns Disease
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Introduction
Crohn’s
disease is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease of the intestinal
tract. The intestinal tract has four major parts: the esophagus, or food
tube; the stomach, where food is churned and broken down; the long
small bowel, where nutrients, calories, minerals and vitamins are
absorbed; and the colon, where water is absorbed, stool is stored and a
good many health benefits occur. The two primary sites for Crohn’s
disease are the last portion of the small bowel (the ileum) and the
colon (Crohn’s colitis). The condition appears to start when the colon’s
normal bacteria stick to the colon’s lining more readily. Normally, the
colon easily fights this off as its immune defenses are so robust and
strong. In Crohn’s Disease, however, this does not occur. Small nests of
inflammation occur, persist and smolder. The inflammation becomes worse
and spreads. The lining of the bowel can then become ulcerated and the
bowel wall thickened. Eventually, the bowel may become narrowed or
obstructed, at which time surgery would be needed.
