Inflammation

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and What You Can Do About It.

Inflammation is an important protective measure for the body, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be destructive as well. Knowing a little bit about inflammation can help you decide if it’s time to call your medical provider.

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, inflammation is a response triggered by damage to living tissues. The inflammatory response is a defense mechanism that evolved in higher organisms to protect them from infection and injury. Its purpose is to localize and eliminate the injurious agent and to remove damaged tissue components so that the body can begin to heal. The response consists of changes in blood flow, an increase in permeability of blood vessels, and the migration of fluid, proteins, and white blood cells from the circulation to the site of tissue damage.

The four classic signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain, but all 4 need not be present.
The good: Inflammation is part of the body’s defense mechanism against invaders, and also aids in the healing process. Inflammation helps defend the body by launching an attack to rid the body of the invader which could be anything from a splinter to a virus.
The bad: Generally, an inflammatory response should be short-lived. Unfortunately, sometimes chronic inflammation develops which may increase the risk of various diseases. These can include, but are not limited to, some types of arthritis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even obesity.
The ugly: Then there are times when the immune system initiates an inflammatory response when there is nothing to fight. In those situations, there is nothing protective going on, but rather the immune system responding as though something is awry when it’s not, and causing damage to the body’s own healthy tissues. This reaction can lead to autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, asthma, and even some types of cancer.

What you can do about it: There are several possible treatment options for inflammation. For immediate relief from an acute injury, rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help. For more chronic inflammation various self-care techniques such as rest, exercise, and an anti-inflammatory diet can be helpful. Over-the-counter NSAID medications can also be utilized. Other options such as prescription medications or surgical intervention require consultation with a medical professional. No matter the treatment, the goals of pain relief, decreasing stress, maintaining function, and managing the underlying disease process are the same.

For more information on managing an inflammatory condition medically or through diet, please reach out to TEAM at (651) 642-0182 or (800) 634-7710.