What is Crohns.

[EmAitch88]

what is Crohns.

i have been thinking and am not sure where Crohns comes from exactly..is it the intestines? the immune system..? what is 'wrong' with the body. i just don't know..haha. i originally thought it was the immune system; overdoing it on the intestines and such. but could it be the intestines? what are your thoughts. can someone explain what they know in English and not medical mumbo jumbo haha.

also, how have you guys lifted your spirits when you've felt down? lately, all i think about is 'why me?' and worry about how this disease will affect me in the future..

 

[Dras]

Crohn's is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system is basically attacking your intestines causing inflammation. Or something like that.... I think... lol

 

[EmAitch88]

haha. thanks! that's what i thought..but i'm sure some people have other theories on it..

 

[Cookie]

haha. thanks! that's what i thought..but i'm sure some people have other theories on it..

I'm not sure I quite buy the whole "autoimmune disease" thing. I think that may be part of it, but I think it's a little more complicated than that. I think the underlying cause has something to do with the balance of bacteria (and/or other things) in the digestive tract. Just my two cents...

 

[Mejay07]

Hello,
Crohn's can affect you anywhere in the digestive tract, ranging from the mouth to the anus. It can include the stomach, rectum, and any other parts of the digestive tract.

I think this is pretty easy explanation:
http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/crohnsdisease/cd_whatis.html

it also explains the difference between Crohn's and UC.

I hope this helps.

 

[Squadinho]

Its not an easy disease to explain really as scientists / doctors haven't come to a complete conclusion as to what causes Crohn's.

I would at the moment go with an auto-immune disease because immuno-suppressants have worked for me in getting it into remission. However, I think there could also be other issues such as a bacteria imbalance like Cookie mentioned.

 

[outlier]

Crohn's is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system is basically attacking your intestines causing inflammation.

Inflammation is your bodies response to any attach. When inflammation gets bad enough, a sore appears like canker sore or cold sore. That is what is happening some where in your digestive system.

When your immune system goes wacky, it can effect the whole body causing systematic symptoms or in crohn's case they are called extraintestinal symptoms (such as eye or joint issues).

 

[Nica]

I have to go with auto-immune disease. The way I describe it to people who don't have it is Basically my immune system goes on auto-pilot and feels that my colon is a huge threat that must be destroyed..

 

[BLM]

I feel you frustration and the Why me battle!! Ive been really down lately and thats all I can seem to say is....Why Me?? What in the world did I do to deserve this ontop of this already difficult life.....some days gets the best of me actually...hard not to cry and feel sorry for myself. I always try to remind myself that it could be much worse....but easier said than done!!

 

[Dras]

Inflammation is your bodies response to any attach. When inflammation gets bad enough, a sore appears like canker sore or cold sore. That is what is happening some where in your digestive system.

When your immune system goes wacky, it can effect the whole body causing systematic symptoms or in crohn's case they are called extraintestinal symptoms (such as eye or joint issues).

My first colonoscopy's pictures showed sores in my intestines that looked exactly like cold sores! Ha! Now it makes perfect sense. Thanx!

 

[Jessica]

This is what I've come up with.

There are several (I believe at least 6 hae been found so far) genetic mutations that create too much of a protein without reason. This protein is what activates your immune system to inflame specific areas of the body (mouth, stomach, intestines, etc).