What is Crohn's Disease?
The cause of Crohn's disease isn't known and researchers believe that there are many factors that contribute to it. It is possible that there is a predisposition that put an individual at greater risk of developing Crohn's disease. Research have found that for the most part people with Crohn's often have a close family member who also has inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis) whether it be a sibling, a child or a parent. The onset of Crohn's disease can occur at any age but most often it occurs in young adults (Bernstein et al , 2006) and approximately 10% of newly diagnosed cases are in children under 10 (Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, n.d.). Crohn's disease is more prevalent amongst women than it is amongst men (Bernstien et al, 2006). It is estimated that 200,000 Canadian has some form of inflammatory bowel disease, reports in 2005 show that Canada currently has the highest rate of Crohn's disease in the world (Crohn's and colitis foundation of Canada, 2009 & Bernstein at al , 2006). Currently there is no cure for Crohn's disease so treatment is based on symptom management. |
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. It can affect any portion from mouth to anus and is characterized by full thickness inflammation of the bowel wall. Often it affects the end of the small intestine (terminal ileum), especially where it joins with the large intestine (colon), which can also be affected.