{"id":42951,"date":"2021-10-12T09:00:15","date_gmt":"2021-10-12T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=42951"},"modified":"2022-12-14T12:42:19","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T17:42:19","slug":"inflammation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/inflammation\/","title":{"rendered":"What is inflammation? Causes, treatment, and prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever strained a muscle or come down with a case of the common cold, you\u2019ve experienced inflammation; it\u2019s your body\u2019s first line of defense against injury, illness, and disease. But inflammation can also occur due to autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease, which causes the body to target and attack <\/span>its<\/span>\u00a0own healthy tissues. No matter the cause, the inflammatory process triggers the release of white blood cells to the affected area in order to promote the healing process. This immune system response can cause an array of symptoms\u2014most commonly pain and swelling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is inflammation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Inflammation is the body\u2019s immune response to illness, injury, or foreign body. It often results in local redness, warmth, or swelling, or may cause a systemic response such as fever, body aches, or malaise. Inflammation protects the body against harm and also tells the brain and body that it needs to address an issue in order to maintain homeostasis, or a healthy state. \u201cInflammatory proteins are released to kick-start the immune response to rid the body of things like infections or treat an area of distress, say a swollen ankle or an injured heart after a heart attack,\u201d says <\/span>Anne Davidson, MBBS<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>professor in the Institute of Molecular Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and rheumatologist in Manhasset, NY<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two types of inflammation: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation. The purpose of acute inflammation is to repair damage to the body, resulting in increased blood flow to the area. \u201cAcute inflammation is caused by an injury\u2014if you fall and sprain your ankle, your body sends factors to that area to help it heal,\u201d explains <\/span>Eric Ascher, DO<\/span><\/a>, attending physician at Northwell Health, Family Medicine in New York. \u201cAcute inflammation can also be related to getting sick with a virus or bacterial infection, like when you have the cold, the flu, bronchitis, a headache, or any sort of skin reaction.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chronic inflammation causes harm to the body and can even lead to damaged tissue and the development of certain diseases. \u201cChronic inflammation is typically linked to a genetic disease, an autoimmune disease, sensitivity to an allergen, or exposure to an irritant over an extended period of time,\u201d Dr. Ascher says. \u201cIt could be arthritis, different cancers, diabetes, heart disease, or genetic and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, and colitis.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Acute vs. chronic inflammation <\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nAcute inflammation<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nChronic inflammation<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Definition<\/b><\/td>\nAcute inflammation is triggered by the body\u2019s healing response, has a fast onset and is short-term.<\/span><\/td>\nChronic inflammation is ongoing, long-lasting\u00a0 and can cause damage to healthy tissues.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Common causes<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Injury<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bacterial infection<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Viral infection<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Allergens<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Foreign bodies<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Allergens<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Cancer<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Celiac disease<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Obesity<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Crohn’s disease<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lupus<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Hashimoto\u2019s thyroiditis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Interstitial lung diseases<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Hepatitis C<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Inflammatory bowel disease<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/span><\/li>\n
  • COVID-19<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symptoms<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Pain<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Swelling<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Redness<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Warmth<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Loss of function<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Joint swelling, tenderness, stiffness<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Flu-like symptoms (fever, malaise, muscle aches)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Pain<\/span><\/li>\n
  • General malaise<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bloating<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Mental fogginess<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Achy joints<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Joint swelling<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Gastrointestinal distress<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Unexplained weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Night sweats<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duration of symptoms<\/b><\/td>\nSeveral hours up to two weeks\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nMonths to years<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treatment<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • NSAID medications (such as ibuprofen and naproxen)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ice<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Rest<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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