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Crohn's disease (regional enteritis) is an inflammatory disease that can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth and anus. The inflammation can penetrate the bowel wall, leading to the development of fistulas, fissures, and abscesses. The defining characteristics of Crohn's are granulomatous lesions (granulomas) affecting the mucosal and submucosal layers of the intestinal tract. These lesions, spaced between normal mucosal tissue, are referred to as "skip lesions." The intestinal lining is cobblestone in appearance, and eventually becomes hardened and inflexible. In later stages of the disease, the intestinal lumen may become obstructed.
Crohn's disease is one of two inflammatory bowel conditions that affect the intestinal lining. The other is ulcerative colitis. Both illnesses are thought to have a genetic component, although autoimmune response, food allergy, stress, poor nutrition, and infection have been implicated as contributive factors. Although Crohn's disease is sometimes misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis, it has several distinguishing features. Crohn's most commonly affects the small or large intestine, while ulcerative colitis manifests in the lower intestine and the rectum. Ulcerative colitis is more common than Crohn's disease, but the incidence of Crohn's appears to be on the rise.(1)Although these conditions acutely affect the gastrointestinal tract, they are associated with the development of many systemic diseases.(2)
Food allergies and Crohn's disease appear to be closely associated. Inflammation and irritation of the intestinal epithelial cells can eventually lead to an increased sensitivity to many foods. When the cells are damaged, they leave gaps between them through which large proteins can penetrate, a phenomenon known as "leaky gut." These molecules, identified as antigens by the immune system, stimulate an inflammatory reaction in the gut mucosa. Many people afflicted with the disease have identified and eliminated foods that aggravate symptoms. Such foods include chocolate, dairy products, yeast, cereal grains, fats, and artificial sweeteners. In one multicenter trial, subjects on an exclusion diet remained in remission almost twice as long as those receiving corticosteroid treatments.(3)
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