Inflammation- Causes symptoms treatment

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is part of the body's immune response. Initially, it can be beneficial when, for example, your knee sustains a blow and tissues need care and protection. However, sometimes, inflammation can persist longer than necessary, causing more harm than benefit.

--Inflammation helps wounds heal--

Our immediate reaction to a swelling is to try and decrease it. However, it is important to remember that inflammation is an essential part of the body's attempt to heal itself.

The first stage of inflammation is often called irritation, which then becomes inflammation - the immediate healing process. Inflammation is followed by suppuration (discharging of pus). Then there is the granulation stage, the formation of new tissue in a wound during healing. Inflammation is part of a complex biological response to harmful stimuli. Without inflammation, infections and wounds would never heal.

--Inflammation is part of our innate immunity--

Our innate immunity is naturally present in our bodies when we are born. This is different from adaptive immunity, which we develop after an infection or vaccination, when the body "learns" to fight a specific pathogen.

Innate immunity is generally nonspecific, while adaptive immunity is specific to a particular pathogen:

The difference between chronic inflammation and acute inflammation

Acute inflammation - starts rapidly (rapid onset) and quickly becomes severe. Signs and symptoms are only present for a few days, but, in some cases, may persist for a few weeks.

Examples of diseases, conditions, and situations that can result in acute inflammation include:

- acute bronchitis
- infected ingrown toenail
- sore throat from a cold or flu
- a scratch or cut on the skin
- exercise (especially intense training)
- acute appendicitis
- acute dermatitis
- acute tonsillitis
- acute infective meningitis
- acute sinusitis
- a blow

--Treatments for inflammation--

As mentioned earlier in this article, inflammation is part of the healing process. Sometimes, reducing inflammation is helpful, though not always necessary.

People should not use NSAIDs long-term without asking a doctor because there is a risk of developing stomach ulcers, which can result in severe, life-threatening bleeding. NSAIDs may also worsen asthma symptoms and cause kidney damage. NSAID medications, except aspirin, can also increase the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol) can reduce pain associated with inflammatory conditions without reducing inflammation. They may be ideal for those wishing to treat just the pain while allowing the inflammation to run its course.

Corticosteroids - these are a class of steroid hormones naturally produced in the cortex (outer portion) of the adrenal gland. They are synthesized in laboratories and added to medications.

Corticosteroids, such as cortisol are anti-inflammatory; they prevent a number of mechanisms involved in inflammation.

There are two sets of corticosteroids:

Glucocorticoids - prescribed for inflammation of the joints (arthritis), temporal arteritis, dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus, hepatitis, asthma, allergic reactions, and sarcoidosis. Creams and ointments may be prescribed for inflammation of the skin, eyes, lungs, bowels, and nose.

Mineralocorticoids - used to treat cerebral salt wasting, and to replace missing aldosterone (a hormone) for patients with adrenal insufficiency.

Corticosteroid side effects are more likely if taken in oral form, compared with inhalers or injections. The higher the dosage and/or the longer they are taken, the greater the risk of side effects.