Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Crohn 's disease is one of two conditions referred to by the term "Inflammatory Bowel Disease" (IBD). The other condition that is referred to as an IBD is called Ulcerative Colitis. Both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis are conditions that cause recurring or persistent inflammation in one or more sections of the intestine. The literal definition of "inflammation" is "being set on fire". It is a protective reaction that happens when tissue is injured or destroyed. There are two types of inflammations. The first is acute inflammation, which is defined by heat, redness, pain and swelling. The

especially in the colon. This drug can be used for as long as needed, and it

An inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by intermittent and recurrent abdominal pain associated with ulceration in bowel function. Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders that cause inflammation or ulceration in the small and large intestines. Most often, inflammatory bowel disease is classified as ulceration colitis or Crohn’s disease but may be referred to as colitis, enteritis, ileitis, or proctitis (Crohn's disease-website).

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue. Like ulcerative colitis, another common IBD, Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications. Although it may involve any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine (ileum) and/or the large

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is characterized by inflammation of the digestive, or gastrointestinal tract. It can affect any part of the GI tract, including the mouth and anus. However, Crohn’s most often affects the end of the small intestine (Crohn’s & Colitis, 2016). Crohn’s disease does not have a cure and there is no exact cause for the occurring disease. “Since the exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, it has been linked to a combination of environmental factors, immune function and bacterial factors, as well as a patient’s genetic susceptibility to developing the disease” (History Cooperative, 2014).

The symptoms of Crohn’s Disease can range from mild to very severe depending on the area of the gastrointestinal tract involved. When a patient’s disease is active, as opposed to being in remission, the most common signs and symptoms of GI inflammation related to Crohn’s Disease are: persistent diarrhea; rectal bleeding; abdominal cramps and pain, which can vary in intensity and may lead to vomiting; an urgent need to move the bowels; the sensation of incomplete evacuation; constipation, which can lead to bowel obstruction; blood in the stool; and mouth sores. Other general symptoms of IBD that can also be associated with Ulcerative Colitis as well as many other diseases, are: fever; loss of appetite; weight loss; night sweats; signs of malnutrition from the digestive tract not being able to properly absorb needed nutrients; anemia; and feeling tired. In addition, while not very common in children under the age of 10, the lack of

inflammation is most common in the ileitis, it can develop anywhere in the entire digestive tract, spanning from mouth to anus. Figure 3 shows what the GI tract looks like with Crohn's disease compared to a healthy GI tract. The inside of the GI tract of a person with Crohn's Disease has a very cobblestone-like appearance and a fatty-type wrapping. It also shows fissures and muscular hypertrophy which sometimes occur as a part of or as a result of Crohn's Disease. Figure 4 illustrates the narrowing of the GI tract due to inflammation and swelling as well as an abscess. An abscess is an area containing a significant amount of pus. Abscesses are one of the complications that is possible for those with Crohn's

There have been confirmed cases of rheumatoid, peripheral, and axial arthritis as well as ankylosing spondylitis. Bone loss is also an extremely common complication of CD. Long term use of corticosteroids is thought to be the cause. A number of eye conditions can also be associated with Crohn’s disease. It is speculated that a number of these eye complications can be associated with the medications used in treatment. Due to the chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract, colorectal cancer is also a serious concern of those with CD. Patients affected with CD who have been experiencing symptoms for 8 years or longer are at a higher risk. While those whom are at a younger age typically do not develop cancer at a young age, they are at a higher risk to develop cancer later on in life.

The most symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea mixed with pus, blood and mucus. Individuals may become very sick and weak, they can suffer form anemia, weight loss, loss of appetite, rectal bleeding, loss of body fluids and nutrients, skin lesion, joint pain, and growth failure specially in children according to the extent of the disease. Just how risk factors have a different affects on everyone symptoms are also different. A quarter of the patients only have the disease only have mild symptoms while others suffer from fevers, bloody diarrhea, nausea and severe abdominal cramps. Complications may also occur outside the colon such as arthritis, inflammation of the

It is not always active, meaning there may be periods of remission without signs or symptoms, periods when the disease flares up periodically, and periods when it is active and felt all the time. The signs and symptoms usually develop gradually but can also come on suddenly. Crohn’s disease affects everyone differently and may change over time (AbbVie, 2016; Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017). Its main signs and symptoms—diarrhea, fever and fatigue—are probably due to inflammation or infection. Additional symptoms include blood in the stool, mouth sores, and abdominal pain and cramping, which can lead to nausea and vomiting; reduced appetite and weight loss due to the inability to digest and absorb food properly; and perianal disease (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017). Individuals with severe Crohn’s disease may also experience inflammation of the liver or bile ducts as well as of the skin, eyes, and joints. Additionally, there may be delayed growth or sexual development in children (Mayo Clinic Staff,

In order to explain the significance of oral aphthous ulcers in Crohn’s disease, we need to first look at the pathophysiology of the disease itself.   Crohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory bowel disease which can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. The cause of the disease is not well understood. However, it is believed that the inflammatory response is mainly due to a combination of genetics, an over-reactive immune response, and environmental factors. These factors lead to an inappropriate inflammatory response against enteric bacteria (Bartels et al., 2013).  In Crohn’s disease, there is an abnormal and exaggerated response to bacteria within the gut.  As we have learned in previous lectures, an inflammatory response is a defense

Clinical manifestations for the two inflammatory bowel disease classifications are very similar however there are disparities which can help differentiate which disease process is occurring. In ulcerative colitis, the primary manifestations are bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain which can vary from mild lower abdominal cramping to severe, constant pain. In Crohn’s disease, the primary manifestations include diarrhea and crampy abdominal pain. Also, weight loss is very common in Crohn’s disease because inflammation of the small intestine causes nutrient malabsorption and deficiencies (Lewis et al.,

This essay will focus on Crohn’s disease and pathological changes that may occur in the small intestine as a result of the inflammatory process and discuss the scientific reasons for the possible treatments relating these to pathological processes.

The term Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a general name given to a few disorders that all fall under the category of inflamed intestines (they become red and swollen.) This is usually due to a reaction the body causes against its own intestinal tissue. The two most common types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract; however, it more commonly affects the small intestine or colon.

Inflammation is generally an acute process that occurs in response to infection and tissue damage. This protective mechanism involves members of the innate immune system such as macrophages and neutrophils recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) as well as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and initiating mediators that increase vasodilation, edema and pain. Long-term inflammation can also occur and leads to a chronic state with conditions favorable for tissue damage and genomic lesions (1,2). Over time this genetic damage can lead to cancer. An example of chronic inflammation leading to cancer development can be seen in patients with ulcerative colitis.