Inflammation is a set of reactions created by the body in response to an attack, which can be of external origin, such as an injury, infection or trauma, or it can be internal, caused by the body itself, as in the case of autoimmune diseases.
Inflammation is recognized by the presence of four characteristic manifestations, such as swelling, redness, warmth, and pain. These symptoms are the product of the activation of a series of chemical processes that lead to the production of substances called prostaglandins that are capable of activating the circulatory system and the immune system so that all the cells involved in the defense processes can reach the place where the signal started.
The inflammations can be classified into acute, which last a short time, but are generally severe, and chronic, which tend to be less severe but persist over time. The goal of inflammation is to fight the agent causing the damage and heal the affected tissue or organ.
We can recognize the inflammatory process in a blood test because it increases the number of white blood cells and C-reactive protein.
As an example, we will cite some specific inflammations:
- The swelling of the lymph nodes, which serve as defense, is scientifically called lymphadenopathy and generally occurs due to infections, cancer, or immune system problems. They are often palpated in the groin, armpits, and behind the ears. It can respond to very serious or very serious problems, depending on the cause of the inflammation.
- Inflammatory bowel disease comprises a number of disorders (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) that cause inflammation in the intestine chronically in some of its parts.
- Inflation of the feet, ankles, and sometimes the entire leg is also common, due to fluid build-up, which often occurs on hot days and in adults, obese, and the elderly.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease affects the female reproductive system and is caused by bacteria. Symptoms include pain, cloudy and foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and occasionally fever.
Inflammation has a protective and restorative purpose in the body, indiscriminate use of anti-inflammatory drugs can affect. An example of this is in the case of bone injuries and fractures where anti-inflammatories should not be used as they affect callus formation and therefore fracture healing.
