Inflammation and its treatment

With health problems gaining a common ground and persons of all ages finding it difficult to keep themselves healthy, inflammation is not an alien concept. We usually recognize it by redness, pain and thickening of the concerned area, but in real inflammation is a lot more. What is it, how is it caused and how to heal it might be a few questions on your mind, so let us try and explore more.

Inflammation is our body's way of fighting with external pathogens and keeping them localized till the process is complete. External agents may try to enter our bodies by means of toxins, burns, chemical irritants, and pathogens; because of physical injury, hypersensitivity and similar activities. When they enter, the protective chemicals and white blood cells in our bodies play their role of protecting the affected area. This causes thickening and redness. However, in case of autoimmune diseases the white blood cells may create an inflammatory reaction though there is no need and this causes pain and damage to the tissues.

Inflammation is of two types called Acute and Chronic respectively. Acute inflammation is mainly caused by injured tissues and pathogens, begins immediately and lasts for a few days, involves mononuclear cells and Neutrophils and generally results into abscess formation resolution and chronic inflammation. The five signs that categorize the acute type are swelling, heat, pain, redness and immobility. The Chronic inflammation may be caused because of foreign bodies that persist, autoimmune responses and persistence of acute inflammation. It does not begin immediately but takes time and may last for many months to years. It involves fibroblasts and mononuclear cells and may result into fibrosis, tissue destruction and necrosis. If not controlled in the initial phase, then it can lead to painful diseases like Psoriasis, Arthritis etc. It may also be caused because of obesity and periodontal disease. Obesity may be a cause because few substances involved in the inflammation process are generated by the adipose tissue, while abdominal fat may produce huge amounts of pro-inflammatory substances like cytokines and others. Periodontal infection and dental plaque can release toxins, bacteria and organic acids that may cause inflammation in the tissues not near the mouth. Some other disorders that may arise as a result of inflammation are Acne vulgaris, Rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatis, Asthma, Reperfusion injury, Sarcoidosis, Hypersensitivities and Glomerulonephritis. Certain patterns are seen during inflammation and they are called Purulent, Serous, Granulomatous, Fibrinous and Ulcerative inflammation.

To cure inflammation, one may consult a doctor and accordingly take anti-inflammatory supplements. In some cases fish oil supplements are seen to help the patients up to a good extent, but should be consumed only if suggested by a medical practitioner and health expert. Certain spices are seen to be beneficial for the same and include garlic, oregano, ginger, thyme, bay leaf, black pepper, and turmeric.

Thus, inflammation is a defence mechanism to save the body, but has its repercussions and must not be ignored but treated in time.

Supplements are to be taken very cautiously. Many supplements have an adverse effect. Only natural herbal supplements are good and has no side effects. For Plant sterol supplements, at an appropriate rate, follow the above links.