|
- The cause of inflammatory bowel disease remains unknown. However, current research indicates that the inflammation in IBD patients involves a complex interaction of factors, including heredity, the immune system and antigens in the environment.
- Environment: Since IBD occurs more often among people who live in cities and industrialized nations; it is possible that environmental factors, including a diet high in fat or refined foods, may play a role.
- Heredity: Individuals are more likely to develop IBD if there is a family history of the disease. Therefore, researchers believe that an individual's genetic makeup may be a contributing factor to development of the disease.
- Immune system: Some evidence suggests that a virus or bacterium may cause IBD. When the immune system attacks the invading substance, the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. Other researchers speculate that the inflammation may stem from the virus or bacterium directly.
- Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) may be involved the development of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This microorganism is known to cause intestinal diseases in cattle. In addition, researchers have found MAP in the blood and intestinal tissue of individuals diagnosed with Crohn's disease, but rarely in individuals with ulcerative colitis.
 |
Learn
