Do environmental factors play a role in Crohns disease, too?
Environmental factors may help trigger Crohn’s disease. These environmental factors may include any of the following: • Substances from something you’ve eaten • Microbes such as bacteria or viruses • Cigarette smoke • Other substances that are yet unknown Environmental factors may contribute to Crohn’s disease in one of these two ways: • They may trigger an immune system response. Once started, the response cannot stop. • They may directly damage the lining of the intestines. This may cause Crohn’s disease to begin or to speed up.
