Download Effects of Inflammation: Acute and Chronic

Effects of Inflammation: Acute and Chronic
Inflammation
Inflammation can be considered friend or foe. Inflammation itself is not a
disease, but if featured, to varying degrees, may result in adverse health
conditions. Most often we associate inflammation, which can be throughout
the body, as a condition that may compromise our health. Conversely,
inflammation helps our immune system defend against disease causing
bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders. Inflammation, while initially
passive, may become increasingly responsive as it has been identified as the
underlying causes of may diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes,
cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. When this overactive response happens, it
may have long-term health implications. Regular exercise, proper nutritional
support and lifestyle choices all play a role in keeping this “under the radar”
condition friendly.
Acute Inflammation
This short-term condition is a response to tissue
injury that produces characteristics symptoms:
heat, redness, swelling, pain and the loss of
function. Redness and heat result from
increased blood flow to the site of injury.
Swelling is associated to the accumulation of
fluid at the injury site that can compress nerve
endings which initiates pain signaling tissue
damage. If the inflammation is within a joint,
mobility and functional movement may be
restricted. Methods of treatments may vary yet
supportive options have valuable protective
roles: preventing the spread of infectious agents and damage to nearby tissues;
helps to remove damaged tissue and pathogens, and assists the body’s repair
processes. Unfortunately, if the body fails to engage corrective actions then
conditions may result in chronic inflammation, which can last for years.
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation, a potentially
detrimental condition is triggered
by overactive stress on cells. Once
activated it can persist undetected
for years propagating cell death thus
contributing to various destructive
diseases.
Documented risk factors, which
increase the possibility of
establishing stressful cellular
conditions include, but may not be
limited too: age, obesity, diet, sleep
disorders and stress (physical and
emotional). Diseases associated with chronic inflammation may include:
cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression and cognitive decline. Moreover,
vitals organs such as the heart and kidney’s have also been associated with
inflammation. Minimizing the affects of chronic inflammation may involve;
impeding acute inflammation, use of medications, adopting a healthy calorierestricted diet and attaining quality sleep. Further, dietary supplements
containing vitamins, minerals and herb may provide beneficial results. While
we can’t turn back our aging process we can, with positive lifestyle changes
support our physical and emotional condition to lead a healthier life.
Sources
Karin et al. 2006
Alvarez-Lario et al. 1999
Nguyen Khoa et al. 1999
Medzhitov 2008
Ahmadi 2011; Gonzalez 2012
Pervanidou et al. 2011