Crohn’s disease- causes
Resource type:
Frequently Asked Questions —
Date posted:
March 11th, 2012
Number of views:
1398
What causes Crohn's disease?
The precise cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. It may be a combination of factors including:
- genetics - genes that you inherit from your parents may increase your risk of developing Crohn’s disease
- the immune system - it seems that the immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and illness) is responsible for the inflammation in the digestive system
- previous infection - a previous infection may trigger an abnormal response from the immune system
- environmental factors - Crohn’s disease is most common in westernised countries, such as the UK, and least common in poorer parts of the world
- smoking - smokers with Crohn’s disease usually have more severe symptoms than non-smokers
