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What Causes Crohn's Disease and the Crohn's Diagnosis
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which areas of the intestinal tract become inflamed causing sloughing and, in some instances, ulcers. While many other IBDs cause inflammation of the intestinal lining, Crohn's affects all layers of the intestine, not just the surface.

Although usually affecting the portion of the small intestine known as the ileum the condition is not limited solely to the small intestine and can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Severity varies: Only a small area of intestine is affected in some people, while others suffer from widespread intestinal inflammation. A Crohn's disease diagnosis is most often made between the ages of 15 and 35, but people can develop Crohn's at any age.

What Causes Crohn's Disease?
The causes of Crohn's disease remain a mystery, but many researchers believe that the disease is triggered by a faulty immune system. Either the immune system responds too aggressively to bacteria in the intestine, or it may even perceive normal food and intestinal contents as a threat. This results in inflammation and the sudden emptying of the intestines.

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In This Site...
What Causes Crohn's Disease and the Crohn's DiagnosisWhat causes Crohn's disease is not known. Heredity, environment and immune response may all be players. Diagnosis is difficult.
Read Article >>

Crohn's Antibiotics: Managing Bacterial OvergrowthAntibiotics don't treat Crohn's disease directly. Metronidazole (Flagyl), ampicillin, and ciprofloxacin prevent bacterial overgrowth and treat secondary infections.
Read Article >>

Crohn's Disease Symptoms, Fistulas and Other ComplicationsSymptoms of Crohn's disease vary, but can include diarrhea and stomach pain. Complications can be severe and include fistulas.
Read Article >>
Further Reading...


Symptoms of Crohn's Disease
Initially, Crohn's disease symptoms can be difficult to distinguish. Abdominal pain is an early symptom of Crohn's Disease.

Anatomy of the Intestines
To understand Crohn's disease, you must first understand how the body works. The small and large intestine, as well as the anus, make up the anatomy of the intestines.

 
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