Inflammation..How?

[Lily24]

Hi all,

I would like to know some info. Sorry if I'm asking Some stupid questions, but i'm a bit confused. Crohns is basically caused by inflammation rite. Does anyone know how does the inflammation forms in our body? Is there any way to reduce it? Why does it form more inflammation for us rather than a normal person? Any specific cause? Very confused. Please help me.

Regards,
Lily

 

[AIjen]

Well, I'm pretty new here (not even officially diagnosed yet), but I can try to explain it a bit.

Crohn's is an autoimmune disorder (technically, a disease, but disorder sounds a little better to me). What happens is that something triggers a person's immune system to fight off something "bad" causing our white blood cells to go in and fight that "bad" something, which causes a bit of inflammation in that area. In a "normal" person, the immune system "forgets" or can't shut off, so it continued to fight healthy tissue.

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and that is caused by my immune system attacking my thyroid causing inflammation there and pretty much destroying it. I now take medication to keep my thyroid hormone normal. I also have psoriasis, which is apparently inflammation of the skin causing flakiness. My other autoimmune disorder is called Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease. This one is simalar to Lupus, but not as severe. There is usually no organ involvement either, but I do have organ involvement. I had inflammation causing fluid to form around my heart, lungs, and in my abdomen. Apparently, my malfunctioning immune system is attacking my connective tissue, which is found in joints and organs.

So basically, if you have Crohn's Disease, your immune system has gotten thrown out of whack and is attacking your intestines. Most autoimmune disorders are hereditary too, but as my husband likes to say, it has to start somewhere. I'm the only one in my "known" family (I'm adopted and don't know my father's history) has any of these issues.

OK now for all you "experts" out there -- how'd I do? Ha ha!

 

[D Bergy]

My version of this explanation is that the immune system is fighting an invader or something that looks similar to an invader. Inflammation is a normal response to healing or the bodies attempt to kill pathogens.

Our immune systems cannot kill whatever particular pathogen is in us. So the inflammation is with us much longer and potentially always.

I am of the opinion that our immune system is not attacking our tissues because it has gone bonkers. It is going after a pathogen of some kind but is not able to eliminate it entirely. I do not believe the overactive immune system theory. Our immune system may be too weak in one respect or is just not able to function normally for whatever reason.

I have reason to believe the MAP bacteria and some strain or strains of E-Coli are the main culprits in Crohn's disease. With other expressions of autoimmune disease there is likely other pathogens involved.

I take daily doses of Turmeric and Ginger and Krill Oil to reduce any inflammation. I also went after the source by attempting to kill the bacteria listed. Then I tried to correct the immune system by using Low Dose Naltrexone.

It is working well for me. I have no symptoms at this time. Even the Psoriasis on my shin is ever so slowly dissappearing. This appeared about one year after my stricture closed up on me. I am assuming it is related indirectly to Crohn's.

Dan

 

[pb4]

Well, I'm pretty new here (not even officially diagnosed yet), but I can try to explain it a bit.

Crohn's is an autoimmune disorder (technically, a disease, but disorder sounds a little better to me). What happens is that something triggers a person's immune system to fight off something "bad" causing our white blood cells to go in and fight that "bad" something, which causes a bit of inflammation in that area. In a "normal" person, the immune system "forgets" or can't shut off, so it continued to fight healthy tissue.


So basically, if you have Crohn's Disease, your immune system has gotten thrown out of whack and is attacking your intestines. Most autoimmune disorders are hereditary too, but as my husband likes to say, it has to start somewhere. I'm the only one in my "known" family (I'm adopted and don't know my father's history) has any of these issues.

OK now for all you "experts" out there -- how'd I do? Ha ha!

You got it!!!! that's why getting an intestinal transplant will only end up causing the new intestines to also become inflamed/diseased, because it's the disease of the malfunctioning immune system that cause the reaction in the intestines, not the intestines causing the issue.