Inflammation

Inflammation is your body's response to irritation, infection, or injury. It's characterized by redness, heat, pain, swelling, and loss of function. This important protective response helps your body heal from harm and fight infection.

When tissues in your body are injured, your immune system releases chemicals that make nearby blood vessels leak fluid into the tissues, causing swelling. This helps isolate the injury and brings in a rush of blood full of healing cells and proteins. The swollen, warm area turns red as blood vessels widen. Nerves in the area register all this activity as pain.

Inflammation has 3 main signs:

  • Redness and heat from increased blood flow
  • Swelling from fluid leakage
  • Pain from immune and nerve cell activity

This acute inflammation normally lasts a few days as your body heals. If it goes on too long and becomes chronic inflammation, it can cause new diseases over time.

What causes inflammation? Lots of things like:

  • Injuries
  • Pathogens like bacteria and viruses
  • Irritants like toxic chemicals
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Long term diseases like arthritis

Inflammation is usually a good thing - it's your body protecting and healing you. But too much can lead to:

  • More pain and swelling
  • Permanent joint damage
  • Increased risk for diseases like cancer

You can use OTC meds to reduce minor inflammation symptoms. For recurring or severe cases, see your doctor about:

  • Stronger prescription anti-inflammatories
  • Treating the underlying condition
  • Lifestyle changes to avoid triggers

So in summary, inflammation is a key immune response that protects and heals the body after harm, but can cause problems if it goes on for too long. Managing inflammation involves removing triggers, using medicine sparingly, and improving lifestyle factors like diet and exercise.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

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