A friend of mine who suffers from Crohn's tells me that the whole of the
mucous tissue from lips to anus can be affected by the disorder. The colon
and small intestine seem to be the usual targets.
Incidentally  he was diagnosed within weeks of stopping smoking. I recall
reading an article in the New Scientist about nicotine being used to treat
certain intestinal disorders. Interesting or what?

[log in to unmask]
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> From: John C. Pavao <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Crohns as an autoimmune disease
> Date: 14 April 1998 15:04
>
> I'm not a technical expert in this area (all my experience comes from the
> world of pain), but I think I know what he's talking about.  Crohn's is
> linked to celiac disease.  Celiac disease is when the body reacts so
badly
> to grain (wheat gluten) that it attacks itself.  I have not personally
been
> diagnosed with either.  But I am very intolerant of wheat gluten and its
> effect on me is gastric distress.
>
> Anyway, there's some discussion of Crohn's and/or "irritable bowel
> syndrome" being realted to, or symptoms of celiac disease.
>
> ----------
> When I think of Crohns, I think of an intestine/bowel that has been
injured
> by antibiotics or some other agent. But how is it an auto immune disorder?