Inflammation is your body's response to injury or infection. It is a complex process that involves white blood cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators. The purpose of inflammation is to protect against foreign organisms like bacteria and viruses, remove dead and damaged tissue, and initiate tissue repair.
There are five main signs of inflammation:
- Pain - Proinflammatory chemicals stimulate nerves and make you hurt
- Heat - Increased blood flow warms the area
- Redness - Blood vessels dilate and more blood rushes to the area
- Swelling - Fluid and white blood cells fill injured tissues
- Loss of function - It hurts to move the body part
Acute inflammation starts rapidly and becomes severe rather quickly over hours or days. Its main signs are redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. Example causes are wounds, infections, and burns.
Acute inflammation is a normal, healthy response that protects and heals the body.
Chronic inflammation is long-term and can last for months or years. It may result from failure to eliminate whatever caused the initial
acute inflammation or an autoimmune disorder. Examples of diseases caused by
chronic inflammation include asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and some heart diseases.
Chronic inflammation can eventually cause permanent damage.
Too little
inflammation would allow infections and injuries to progress unchecked. Too much
inflammation or inflammation that persists for too long (chronic) leads to damaged tissues and disease. Getting the right amount of inflammatory response for the right amount of time is crucial for health.