The Theory of Helicobacter Pylori Causing Crohn's Disease |
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There are many theories of the causes of Crohn's Disease. Crohn's Disease is a chronic, debilitating form of irritable bowel syndrome, causing serious inflammation of the digestive tract. Because Crohn's Disease manifests with such a wide array of symptoms, the suggested—and debated—causes are equally diverse.
There is one theory of Helicobacter Pylori causing Crohn's Disease. Helicobacter Pylori is a common bacterium that infects the stomach and duodenum (the join between the stomach and small intestine). Since Helicobacter Pylori is present in most cases of ulcers, and ulcers are associated with Crohn's Disease, the theory of Helicobacter Pylori causing Crohn's Disease hinges upon that association.
There is also an assumed connection because ulcerative colitis is a term sometimes used interchangeably with Crohn's Disease. Ulcerative colitis involves chronic ulcers, and Helicobacter Pylori is present in over 80% of ulcer patients, so the theory of Helicobacter Pylori causing Crohn's Disease is thusly supported. However, there is no scientific evidence that Helicobacter Pylori directly causes Crohn's Disease.
The theory of Helicobacter Pylori causing Crohn's Disease may seem logical when one considers that Helicobacter Pylori infections often last for years and can cause the typical symptoms of infection (immune system response, fever, etc.) in addition to the painful ulcers. Because Crohn's Disease also involves ulcers, fever, and immune system response, some draw a causal connection between the two.
In actuality Crohn's Disease causes are unproved and unidentified. There is evidence to support the theory of genetic causes, but it is not definitive, nor does it explain every case. Some research has been conducted into the effect of toxins and specific infections in the development of Crohn's Disease, but no proof has been found. This in effect rules out the argument of Helicobacter Pylori causing Crohn's Disease.
Other theories of causes of Crohn's Disease range from smoking to oral contraceptives. One potential cause that sometimes leads to treatment is the involvement of the immune system in the Crohn's related inflammation. The concept that the immune system mistakenly identifies tissue in the digestive tract as foreign bodies and initiates a defensive attack response can lead doctors to prescribe a regimen of immunomodulating drugs. These drugs regulate and restrict the immune system to control the disease and alleviate symptoms.
This would not be a treatment readily used if a doctor is a proponent of the Helicobacter Pylori causing Crohn's Disease theory. The doctor would in fact prescribe antibiotics to strengthen and aid the immune system. Some physicians who have identified the presence of Helicobacter Pylori bacteria in Crohn's Disease patients have asserted that the disease can be put into remission by the aggressive use of antibiotics. This form of treatment and assertion are unsupported by specific research. It is more likely that the lessening of the Helicobacter Pylori infection alleviates some of the Crohn's Disease symptoms such as fever and painful inflammation.
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