Crohn's Disease Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crohns Disease - Research Paper ExampleConversely, Crohns disease may appear at any go bad of the digestive tractfrom the mouth down to the anus, but most commonly at the lower part of the small intestine (ileum), involving perhaps all layers of the intestine, with familiar healthy bowel between sections of diseased bowel. (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 1) Although the exact root of Crohns disease is still a mystery, the condition is associated with a problem in the reaction of the bodys immune system called an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system is unable to distinguish between normal and foreign bodies. (Longstreth) agree to Dr. Schoenfeld and Dr. Wu, the cells and proteins composing the immune system, commonly defend the body against foreign invaders, such as harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. by being launched, causing inflammationan important defense mechanism of the system, deep down the tissues where activation occurs, and triggered on ly in the presence of harmful invaders furthermore, continued and abnormal activation of the immune system in the absence of the said foreign bodies results to continuing inflammation and ulceration. Whether this abnormality in the immune system response is a cause or a consequence of Crohns disease is yet to be persistent by scientists, but research shows that a number of factorsgenetic inheritance, the immune system itself, and the environment, have to with the aforementioned inflammation in the digestive tract. (NDDIC 2) NDDIC (2) has affirmed that it was name out that people with Crohns disease have high levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a protein produced by the immune system. Additionally, a gene called NOD2 has been recently determine as an important determining factor of the bodys response to some bacteria, and mutations of which increases a persons susceptibility to the disease other genes intrinsic in the understanding of the pathogenesis of Crohns diseasesuch as autophagy related 16-like 1 gene (ATG 16L1) and IRGM, both having a role to play in macrophage breaks, are continually being studied. (Schoenfeld & Wu) Incidentally, there have been studies showing higher levels of E. coli bacteria in the intestines of those suffering from Crohns diseaseprobably resulting from a genetically determined defect with intestinal mucosal macrophages in eliminating E. coli, as well as speculations that infection by certain bacteriasuch as strains of mycobacterium, causes the disease, but still no substantial evidence supporting it, added Dr. Schoenfeld and Dr. Wu. Crohns disease may occur at any age, but more often at ages between 15 and 35 other risk factors include (1) family history of the disease, (2) Jewish ancestry, and (3) smoking. (Longstreth) Nevertheless, the exact relationship between the factors, possible causes and the disease, have not been proven and remains unknown, to date. According to Dr. Paul Klenerman, the symptoms of Crohns disease vary depending on its severity and locationmany only have mild symptoms like periods of mild fever, at times, accompany with blood in the stool and abdominal pain loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, general malaise, and boils, may also appear.