Peyer's Patch & Crohn's Disease
Peyer's patch is lymphoid tissue. This lymphoid tissue is named after Johann Conrad Peyer, a former anatomist. Lymphoid tissue is found in the small intestine. Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. The name of the disease is believed to have come from Burrill Bernard Crohn, a former gastroenterologist.-
Function
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According to Dr. Howard F. Loomis, D.C, Peyer's patches "contain white blood cells that function to defend the body against inadequately digested food particles crossing the gut wall and entering the blood." Crohn's disease attacks the gastrointestinal tract (GI) by swelling areas of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. The swelling can cause pain.
Treatment
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Crohn's disease is treated with drugs and surgery. Treatment is based on the advancement or severity of the disease. Peyer's patches also work to fight diseases like Crohn's disease.
Significance
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Crohn's disease affects approximately 1.4 million Americans and 140,000 children under the age of 18, according to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.
Famous Ties
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John F. Kennedy, David Garrard and former president George W. Bush's son Marvin Bush were all affected by Crohn's disease.
Warning
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At this time, there is no cure for Crohn's disease. So please do not let anyone tell you there is a cure.
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