Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's response to irritation, injury, or infection. It's a defense mechanism that can help protect and heal damaged tissue. When you get injured or sick, your immune system releases chemicals that make blood vessels leaky so that cells and proteins can get to the injured area faster. This causes swelling, redness, heat, and pain – all signs of inflammation.
There are two main types of inflammation:
- Acute inflammation happens quickly and intensely in response to tissue damage or infection, but goes away once the threat is gone. This kind of inflammation is a normal, healthy response. For example, if you get a splinter in your finger, that area may swell, turn red, feel hot, and be painful until your body can remove the foreign object.
- Chronic inflammation persists over longer periods of time, lasting for weeks, months, or even years. It can eventually cause permanent tissue damage and may increase the risk for certain diseases. Chronic inflammation can be caused by autoimmune disorders, persistent infections, or exposure to irritants. For instance, inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by long-term colon inflammation.
Inflammation serves important protective functions, like stimulating immune defenses and promoting wound healing. Blood flow increases to the area, bringing in proteins, cells, and clotting factors to repair damaged tissue. However, too much inflammation for too long is problematic.
Some key mediators involved in the inflammatory process include histamines, bradykinin, cytokines, and prostaglandins. Understanding these inflammatory markers can help identify causes and guide treatment approaches.
Moderating inflammation is crucial for good health. Several lifestyle measures can help, including:
- Eating more anti-inflammatory foods
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress
Certain medications also specifically target inflammation.
So in summary, inflammation is the body's protective response to harmful stimuli that removes damaged tissue components and initiates healing. Acute inflammation is transient; chronic inflammation persists. Though some inflammation is necessary for health, excessive or prolonged inflammation contributes to disease. Lifestyle changes and medical treatment can help manage problematic inflammatory conditions.