Understanding Inflammation: Causes and Management

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection, involving the immune system. Chronic inflammation can lead to various health issues.

Inflammation FAQ

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What is inflammatory response?

inflammation, 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.

Is inflammation a good thing?

A. When people talk about inflammation, they're actually talking about your immune system's response to a perceived injury or infection. When you're injured, this inflammation is actually a good thing. The area you injured will become red and swell as an army of beneficial white blood cells flow in to fight infection and help you heal.

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation is sudden and temporary, while chronic inflammation can go on for months or years. This is your immune system’s response to a sudden injury or illness. Inflammatory cells travel to the site of injury (like a cut on your finger) or infection and start the healing process.

What causes inflammation in the body?

Inflammatory cells travel to the site of injury (like a cut on your finger) or infection and start the healing process. Infections in different parts of your body can cause sudden, and usually short-lived, inflammation. For example, bacterial infections like strep throat and viral infections like the flu can cause throat inflammation.

What is inflammation & how does it affect the body?

Inflammation is part of the process by which the immune system defends the body from harmful agents, such as bacteria and viruses. Acute inflammation is triggered by injury, infection, or exposure to substances, and presents itself as pain, redness, swelling, loss of function, and heat.

What is the most important feature of inflammation?

The most important feature of inflammation is the accumulation of white blood cells at the site of injury. Most of these cells are phagocytes, certain “cell-eating” leukocytes that ingest bacteria and other foreign particles and also clean up cellular debris caused by the injury.

Why is inflammation important?

Inflammation is a normal part of your body’s response to injuries and invaders (like germs). It promotes healing and helps you feel better. But inflammation that happens when there’s no injury or invader can harm healthy parts of your body and cause a range of chronic diseases.