Most commonly, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase mucosal permeability, resulting in intestinal inflammation. Although there is no evidence that specific foods cause or cure these diseases, certain nutrients may increase or decrease symptoms, possibly because of their effects on the intestinal immune system or intestinal bacteria. People with ulcerative colitis are more often non-smokers or people who have recently stopped smoking, a realization that led to the investigation of nicotine to treat this disease. Crohn's disease, however, worsens with smoking. Even though we don't know the etiology of these diseases, however, we have a much better understanding of the pathogenesis.
Balance is a recurring theme of biology.
The immune response is turned on and then it normally turns off. The immune response comprises a complex series of events, and the roster of players is enormous. Researchers believe that two types of T cells may dictate different immune responses in people with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Other white blood cells that join the fray are B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils and eosinophils. As cells are activated, they produce proteins that either can aggravate or suppress inflammation.