Inflammation: Definition, Diseases and Treatment
Inflammation is always thought of as a harmful effect that our body endures. However, as we will see below, inflammatory response is very essential for our survival. It means our immunity is robust and that our body is capable of fighting unwelcomed invaders.
Objectives of this article:
What is an inflammation?
Good vs. bad inflammation
What is an acute inflammation?
What is a chronic inflammation?
What is an autoimmune disease?
How can inflammation be treated or managed?
What is an inflammation?
Inflammation is our body's natural defense mechanism against invaders. These invaders can be germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi etc.) or any other object that our body recognizes as foreign. There are also instances when our body reacts to our own tissues, considering it foreign somehow, which is referred to as an autoimmune disease. Inflammation is triggered by our immune system , leading to five distinct signs: redness, heat, swelling pain and loss of function of the affected body part.
Good vs. Bad Inflammation:
Inflammation is generally thought to be always harmful. But that is a misconception. In fact, inflammation triggered by immune cells are vital for our survival. This type of "good inflammation" is referred to as acute inflammation. The other kind, "bad inflammation", generates harmful effects on our body that lasts for a longer term and is referred to as chronic inflammation.
What is an Acute Inflammation?
Acute inflammation is the immediate short-term process (within minutes to hours) by which our immunity fights off foreign material or begins the healing procedure of tissue injury. It subsides within few days. The immune cells in this case release certain proteins and chemicals that generate the previously mentioned five signs of inflammation. Common examples: catching a cold or flu, burns/cuts/scrapes etc.
What is a Chronic Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is the slow long-term process that lasts for months to years, depending on the level of injury and the body's ability to repair to damage. Factors that lead to the development of chronic inflammation include recurrence of acute inflammation, body's inability to clear germs for a long time, high oxidative stress causing tissue injury and autoimmune disorders. Signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation include fatigue/low energy, body pain, depression and/or anxiety, weight gain or weight loss, recurrent infections due to weak immunity caused by stress, gastrointestinal (GI) complaints like diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux. Some common chronic inflammatory conditions are obesity, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and other joint diseases, allergies etc.
What is an Autoimmune Disease?
In an autoimmune condition, the immune system is overactivated and instead of normally fighting off the invaders, the body begins to attack its own tissues considering it foreign in response to an unknown trigger that facilitates the building of antibodies against these tissues. Common signs and symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases are fatigue/low energy, skin problems, joint pain and swelling, swollen glands, fever, GI discomfort. Some examples of autoimmune conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus arythematosus (SLE), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Psoriasis etc.
How Can Inflammation be Treated or Managed?
- Reduced intake of saturated and trans fats: processed and packaged foods that are high in saturated and trans fats induce inflammation, while healthy fats like olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids (in nuts and seeds, fish oil) reduce inflammation.
- Consumption of low glycemic-index foods: these food items are digested more slowly (high in fiber) by the body that curb hunger and do not wreak havoc in insulin levels, thus minimizing the risk of obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
- Inclusion of fruits and vegetables: Broccoli, kale, kiwis, citrus fruits are some examples of antioxidant-rich foods that fight inflammation by reducing oxidative stress and related injury.
- Essential micronutrients: Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium are strong antioxidants that have high anti-inflammatory properties.
- Physical exercise: moderate workout of 150 minutes per weeks is associated with increasing relaxation and reducing stress and related proteins, chemicals and hormones in the body that induce inflammation.
- Conventional medications: Metformin (Type 2 Diabetes), Glucocorticoids (chronic inflammation/autoimmune disease), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (acute inflammation).
References:
1. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of Inflammation
2. What are Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease - John Hopkins
3. Pahwa, Roma, et al. “Chronic Inflammation.” SpringerReference, 10 Aug. 2020, doi:10.1007/springerreference_31974.
