Inflammation is your body's natural response to infection, irritation or injury. It's characterized by redness, heat, pain, swelling and loss of function. Inflammation helps protect and heal damaged tissue.
When bacteria, toxins or irritants invade, your immune system triggers inflammation as a defense mechanism. Blood vessels dilate, allowing more blood to flow to the injured area, causing reddening and heat. As fluid and white blood cells rush in, swelling results. This helps isolate and destroy the infection and irritant.
Inflammation stimulates nerve endings, prompting pain signals that make you rest the affected area to promote healing. Loss of function also results so you avoid using and worsening the inflamed tissue. Once the threat is neutralized, substances are released to turn off the inflammatory response.
Though uncomfortable, acute inflammation is a healthy bodily process that indicates normal immune functioning. However, chronic inflammation over months or years is linked with conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
What causes inflammation? Common causes include:
How is inflammation treated?
For minor cases, RICE therapy brings relief:
Over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen and acetaminophen also help by blocking inflammatory pathways.
For chronic inflammation or severe cases, we offer customized treatment plans involving prescription anti-inflammatories, stress reduction techniques and dietary changes at Balanced Hormones Center. Getting inflammation under control is key to regaining health and wellbeing long-term.
I hope this gives you a helpful overview on inflammation! Let me know if you have any other questions.