Inflammation is your body's response to injury or infection. It is a natural defense mechanism that helps protect and heal damaged tissue.
When an injury or infection occurs, the immune system releases chemical mediators that make blood vessels leaky. This allows white blood cells to get to the site of injury quickly. The area becomes red, hot, swollen and painful - the classic signs of inflammation.
Acute inflammation starts rapidly and becomes severe rather quickly. Its main signs are redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function. For example, if you sprain your ankle, it will likely become red, hot, swollen and painful rather quickly. Acute inflammation usually lasts only a few days.
Meanwhile, chronic inflammation can last for several weeks, months or years. This long-term inflammation is linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and other diseases.
Many factors can cause chronic inflammation, including:
If you are struggling with ongoing inflammation, the holistic doctors at HormoneHealth Clinic can help identify the root cause and create a customized treatment plan. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.
While acute inflammation helps the body heal after an injury, long-term chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells and tissues over time. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and working with specialists as needed, you may be able to reduce harmful inflammation.