There are numerous theories to the cause of Crohn’s disease which have not been proven. The most popular reasoning is that the body’s immune system tends to react abnormally in those with Crohn’s disease. They tend to mistake bacteria, food and other substances to be foreign particles which lead to the immune system attacking these invaders. This is when the white blood cells accumulate in the intestinal lining to cause chronic inflammation, ulcerations and bowel injury.

It is not known if the abnormal functioning of the immune system is a result or cause of the disease. However it has been found that inheritance of genes, the immune system and the environment all influence the inflammation of the GI tract. It is also taught that the inflammation of the GI tract is the body’s reaction to the antigens in the environment.

When suffering from Crohn’s disease there is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that may affect any part between the mouth and anus. It usually affects the terminal part of the digestive tract, the start of the large intestine and surrounding the anus. This swelling causes discomfort and damage to the digestive tract.

This disease is sometimes referred to as regional enteritis or ileitis and is quite similar to a condition called ulcerative colitis. These diseases are called inflammatory bowel diseases and display similar symptoms of unpredictable flares and remissions.

Crohn’s disease usually occurs in young people between the ages of 15 and 35, and is more common in North America and Europe. Even the whites, cigarette smokers and those with a Jewish ethnic background are more prone to the disease. However a person cannot be declared to be suffering from Crohn’s disease just by the presence of these diseases. It is necessary to have a physical examination that includes blood and tool tests and an examination of the patient’s medical history. The imaging tests used for diagnosing Crohn’s disease are barium x-rays and numerous forms of endoscopy where a flexible camera holding a camera is inserted into the digestive tract.

There is not much knowledge for the cause of Crohn’s disease; however it has been proven that nutrition or emotional stress can indeed aggravate the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. This is why a person has to maintain a healthy diet that has sufficient calories, nutrients and proteins when suffering from Crohn’s disease. Children with Crohn’s disease need supplemental nutrients like enteral and parenteral nutrition.

Statistics show that the incidence and prevalence of cases of Crohn’s disease has increased steadily since the past 50 years in United States. In fact, the United States has the highest rates in the world while Asia and South America have the lowest rates. Crohn’s disease is more prevalent in men than women and is more prevalent in urban than rural areas.

As Crohn’s disease is a debilitating disease, the right medical treatment and measures have to be adapted so that the discomfort from flares can be handled. It is possible to live a normal life when suffering from Crohn’s disease with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.