Which is a potential cause of diarrhea in Crohn's disease?

In Crohn's disease, diarrhea can often stem from various pathophysiological processes, including the malabsorption of nutrients and alterations in intestinal motility. One significant cause of diarrhea, particularly in patients who have undergone ileal resection, is the excess of bile salts.

The ileum plays a critical role in the reabsorption of bile acids; this is essential for effective digestion and absorption of fats. When a portion of the ileum is resected or damaged due to Crohn's disease, the remaining ileum may not be able to reabsorb bile acids effectively. This leads to an excess of bile salts in the intestinal lumen, which can result in increased water secretion and modified bowel contractions, ultimately leading to diarrhea.

Other factors, such as intestinal hypermotility, may also contribute to diarrhea but are less specifically linked to the mechanism seen in Crohn's disease related to bile salts. Furthermore, conditions such as gluten allergies or viral infections are less directly associated with the specific pathophysiology of Crohn's disease and do not account for the effects of ileal resections on bile salt absorption. Thus, excess bile salts due to ileal resection directly ties into the mechanisms that cause diarrhea in the context of