Inflammation is the body's protective response to irritation, injury, or infection. When tissues are damaged by things like pathogens, physical trauma, chemicals, heat, or other triggers, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response. This causes blood vessels to dilate and leak fluid into tissues, allowing more immune cells to access the site of damage or infection.
Key signs of acute inflammation include:
These symptoms occur because the body is marshaling its defenses - ramping up blood flow and bringing in infection-fighting white blood cells. Inflammation is usually temporary and helps promote healing. But sometimes inflammation fails to switch off after healing begins, leading to chronic inflammation that can cause tissue damage over time.
What causes inflammation?
Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation
Acute inflammation starts rapidly, and symptoms usually resolve within days or weeks as the body heals. But inflammation can become chronic if an irritant persists or the inflammatory response fails to "switch off" properly. Chronic inflammation drives many serious diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
Bottom Line: Inflammation is a protective response that defends the body against harm. It's beneficial when transient, but chronic inflammation drives disease progression. Controlling inappropriate inflammation is key for preserving health. Modulating inflammatory pathways shows promise for treating major diseases down the road.
For more information, visit Rejuvenate HRT Clinic.