Content
Inflammation is a natural response of the body that happens when the body is faced with an infection by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses or parasites, poison or when there is an injury from heat, radiation or trauma.In these situations, the body initiates the inflammatory response that aims to eliminate the cause of the injury, eliminate dead cells and damaged tissues, as well as begin its repair.
Inflammation can happen in different parts of the body, such as the ear, intestine, gums, throat or uterus for example and this can be acute or chronic, depending on how long it takes for your symptoms to appear or the inflammation takes to heal.
Inflammation symptoms
The main signs and symptoms that may indicate an inflammatory process are:
- Swelling or edema;
- Pain when touching;
- Redness or redness;
- Feeling of heat.
In the event of the appearance of these symptoms it is recommended to consult the doctor as soon as possible so that it is possible to make the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.
In addition, depending on the location of the inflammation, other signs and symptoms may appear, such as swollen glands, white spots or sore throat, fever, release of thick, yellowish fluid, in the case of ear infection, for example.
Main causes
Inflammation can have several causes, the main ones being:
- Infection by bacteria, viruses or fungi;
- Sprains or fractures;
- Exposure to radiation or heat;
- Allergic diseases;
- Acute diseases such as dermatitis, cystitis and bronchitis;
- Chronic diseases like lupus, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis, for example.
When the organism is exposed to any of these situations, the immune system is activated and starts to release cells and pro and anti-inflammatory substances that act directly on the inflammatory response and promote the recovery of the organism. Thus, substances such as histamine or bradykinin are released, which work by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood supply at the injury site.
In addition, the process known as chemotaxis begins, in which blood cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, are attracted to the injury site to fight the inflammatory agents and control possible bleeding.
What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation
The difference between acute and chronic inflammation is the intensity of the symptoms experienced and the time they take to appear, as well as the time it takes to heal.
In acute inflammation, the typical signs and symptoms of inflammation are present, such as heat, redness, swelling and pain, which last for a short time. On the other hand, in chronic inflammation the symptoms are not very specific and often take time to appear and disappear, and can last for more than 3 months, as is the case with rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis, for example.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of inflammation should be done according to the doctor's recommendation, because different drugs may be indicated depending on the cause of the inflammation. In general, the treatment for inflammation can be done with:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: as is the case with Ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid or Naproxen, which are generally used to treat simpler inflammations such as sore throat or earache for example;
- Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs: such as Prednisolone or Prednisone, which are generally used only in cases of more severe or chronic inflammation such as psoriasis or some chronic candidiasis.
The action of anti-inflammatory drugs helps to reduce discomfort and the effects of inflammation in the body, reducing the pain, swelling and redness felt.