Inflammation - Rejuvenate Clinic

Inflammation is the body's protective response to irritation, injury, or infection. It's characterized by redness, heat, pain, swelling, and sometimes loss of function. When tissues are damaged, the body triggers an inflammatory cascade to heal and repair. Acute inflammation happens after an injury or infection. Blood vessels dilate, and leukocytes migrate to the site. This helps destroy invaders and remove debris to set the stage for healing. Signs appear within minutes or hours, and usually resolve after a few days. Chronic inflammation lingers for months or years. It occurs due to:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Persistent infections
• Exposure to irritants
• Faulty inflammatory processes

Prolonged inflammation damages tissues over time and can promote diseases like:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Cancer

There are two potential outcomes of inflammation:

1. Resolution: The ideal outcome. Inflammatory mediators clear debris and repair tissue. Signs dissipate as balance is restored.
2. Progression to chronic inflammation: Damaging inflammation persists, promoting disease progression.

Treatment depends on the cause. For infections, antibiotics may be used. For autoimmunity, immunosuppressants or biologics help calm the immune response. Lifestyle measures like sleep, exercise, and stress reduction also help resolve low-grade inflammation holistically. To summarize, inflammation is a protective response that defends us from harm. When regulated properly, it resolves and facilitates healing through an elegant cascade of cellular events. But uncontrolled, it can pave the path to chronic disease. Understanding the balance is key for preserving wellness.