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Crohn's disease, like ulcerative colitis, is considered a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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In contrast to ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease preferentially affects the mucosa of the ileum (distal section of the small intestine), the colon (large intestine) and, less frequently, the esophagus and the mouth.
Crohn's disease usually begins in young adults with nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, and diarrhea (often with painful cramps, up to dozens of times a day) In addition, fever, nausea, and vomiting may also occur. Extraintestinal manifestations such as skin eczema or painful ulcers and aphthae in the oral cavity can also occur. Likewise, other organs may be affected (e.g., arthritis in joints, inflammation of the eyes, vascular disease, kidney, liver, and biliary tract damage).
As with ulcerative colitis, symptoms can flare up and subside repeatedly. Because chronic or intermittent inflammation is constantly ongoing, other complications may also develop, such as intestinal obstruction, intestinal bleeding, or peritoneal abscesses.
Different stages in the course of the disease are differentiated with the CDAI (Crohn's Disease Activity Index), where points are assigned according to certain criteria, whereby a CDAI of more than 150 points, for example, is assumed to indicate a relapse requiring treatment.
In general, it can be said that inflammation of the small intestine also entails a deteriorated and restricted absorption of vital nutrients.
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Causes Crohn's disease
Medical research has not yet been able to determine any clear causes. Problems of the immune system are suspected, in which overreactions lead to inflammation.
The observation of familial clustering also suggests that a genetic predisposition is likely.
Newer theories assume a complex barrier disease (disruption of the barrier function of inner and outer epithelial layers). The mucus layers contain antimicrobial peptides (also called defensins). In Crohn's disease, impaired defensin formation is suspected. Together with other factors, this leads to a change in microbial colonization and bacterial invasion, which triggers local inflammation.
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INUSpheresis® Use in autoimmune diseases
Chronic inflammation can be effectively reduced with INUSpheresis® as inflammatory mediators can be washed out. Thus, this is a useful complementary therapeutic measure for autoimmune diseases.
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