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Inflammation

Inflammation
Definition: 

Inflammation is a natural response of the body’s immune system. It occurs when white blood cells engage in defensive action to try and rid the body of infection and other potentially harmful foreign substances.

However, in some instances, the white blood cells responsible for this action mistakenly attack bodily tissue in the absence of foreign substances. This can lead to the development of allergies or a number of autoimmune diseases, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammation can also lead to a wide array of other complications throughout the body such as asthma, high blood pressure and kidney failure.

Symptoms: 

Some common symptoms of inflammation include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling, especially in the joints
  • Pain
  • Elevated temperature or a feeling of warmth
  • Joint stiffness

Patients with inflammation may also experience the following symptoms:

Exams/Testing: 

If symptoms of inflammation are severe enough to warrant a doctor’s visit, a physical examination and medical history review will usually be conducted.

If necessary, blood tests may be conducted to measure levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which increase in patients with chronic inflammation. Blood tests can also measure a process known as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which occurs faster when inflammation is present in the body. In addition, blood tests can detect the presence of antinuclear antibodies, which is another indication that a patient may be prone to abnormal inflammation.

Due to the wide array of autoimmune diseases that may result in inflammation, a variety of other tests may be conducted depending upon the suspected location of the inflammation as well as the symptoms experienced. Some of the additional tests that may be conducted include:

  • Allergy tests
  • X-ray tests
  • Endoscopic exams such as a colonoscopy or endoscopy
  • Skin prick tests
  • Spirometry
  • Tissue biopsy
Outlook/Prognosis: 

In many cases, inflammation is a mild and temporary response that subsides without treatment.

However, certain conditions may cause chronic inflammation that can be a great source of pain and discomfort for some patients. A variety of treatment options exist to alleviate the symptoms and complications caused by some chronic inflammatory conditions, including a number of medications. Some of the most commonly-used include:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroids
  • Antihistamines

Hot and cold therapy may also help alleviate inflammation.

Some experts believe certain lifestyle changes can also play a large role in reducing chronic inflammation. These lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet, reducing your consumption of highly-processed foods, exercising regularly, getting a healthy amount of sleep and reducing stress.

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