Inflammation is your body's response to injury or infection. It's a normal, healthy process that helps protect and heal damaged tissue. When inflammation goes on for too long or happens too often, however, it can cause chronic health issues.
The main signs of acute inflammation include:
Chronic inflammation happens when an acute response just won't quit. This long-term activation of the immune system can cause damage over time. Diseases associated with chronic inflammation include heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
What causes inflammation?
Inflammation starts when the immune system detects cell injury or the presence of germs or irritants with sensors on immune cells. The sensors release chemical messengers into the bloodstream, and the messages travel to other cells and trigger an inflammatory response.
Key players in this response include white blood cells, tissues and organs, and hormone-like messengers such as cytokines.
White blood cells, especially macrophages, ingest germs and damaged cells, releasing more chemical messengers in the process. Cytokines bring more immune cells to the site while signaling the liver to make C-reactive protein (CRP) and other acute phase proteins. These proteins help ramp up the response.
Blood vessels near the site swell and get leaky, allowing neutrophils and fluid to flood tissues. Immune cells attack the infection or injury and release chemicals that dilate blood vessels and make nerves extra sensitive.
This well-orchestrated process helps the body defend and heal itself. Problems crop up when it goes on for too long or happens too often. Chronic inflammation can gradually damage organs and tissue over time, setting the stage for disease.
In summary, inflammation is a protective attempt that involves the immune system, blood vessels, fluid, tissues, proteins, and chemical signals. It's usually helpful, but too much for too long can cause issues. Monitoring for signs of excessive, prolonged inflammation may allow people to prevent subsequent illness down the road.