Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. It is one of two diseases in the “IBD” or irritable bowel disease category, the other being ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease is named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn who, along with Dr. Leon Ginzburg and Dr. Gordon D. Oppenheimer, described the disease in 1932. Crohn's disease usually affects the ileum and early colon, but it can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease can affect the entire intestinal wall, but it can also "jump over" areas of the diseased intestine, leaving some parts of the area unaffected. In a healthy gastrointestinal tract, there are many harmless bacteria that aid digestion. The immune system will attack and kill any foreign invaders. In Crohn's disease patients, normal bacteria are mistaken for invaders and the immune system reacts. The cells will move out of the blood and into the intestines, in turn producing inflammation, the normal response. The inflammation does not subside, leading to chronic inflammation, ulcerations, and thickening of the intestinal wall. These lead to the patient's symptoms. Crohn's disease affects up to 700,000 Americans. The disease can occur at any age, although it develops most frequently between the ages of 15 and 35. The disease tends to be genetic. Crohn's disease is more common in people from Eastern Europe, especially Jews of European descent (Ashkenazi Jews). Recently, an increasing number of African Americans have reported cases of Crohn's disease. People in developed countries are more likely to have Crohn's disease. People who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent, child, or sibling with Crohn's disease, are at greater risk... middle of paper...... and should not not do. Np, and Web. April 23, 2014. Hopkins, John. “Barium X-rays (upper and lower GI).” Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore, Maryland. Np, and Web. April 23, 2014. “Imaging in Crohn’s Disease.” Imaging in Crohn's disease. Np, October 24, 2013. Web. April 23, 2014. Marks, Jay W., MD. “Capsule Endoscopy: Get information about preparation and procedure.” MedicineNet. Np, February 13, 2014. Web. April 23, 2014. “MRI: Learn the Facts and Risks of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” » Publication of the web log. MedicineNet. Np, and Web. April 23, 2014. "Remicade: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects - Drugs.com." Web log publication. Remicade: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects - Drugs.com. Np, and Web. April 23, 2014. Sklar, Jill. “The role of medications in the treatment of IBD.” Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: an essential guide for those newly diagnosed. 2nd ed. New York: Marlowe, 2007. N. pag. Print.