Crohn's Disease - Cause
The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. This disease may result from an abnormal response by the body's immune system to normal intestinal bacteria.1 Disease-causing bacteria and viruses also may play a role.
Crohn's disease can run in families, so some people may be more likely than others to develop the condition when exposed to something that triggers an immune reaction. Environmental factors may also play a role in causing this disease.
The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a group of disorders in which the intestines become inflamed. What causes them to become red and swollen is not known. The most likely cause is an immune reaction the body has against its own intestinal tissue. Two major types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon or large intestine. Crohn's disease, on the other hand, can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth...
Read the Inflammatory Bowel Disease article > >
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

