Inflammation - Acute And Chronic
Inflammation - Acute and Chronic
Inflammation is actually a good thing ......If it's acute. Acute inflammation is the body's response to injury. It helps and works to heal wounds and fight infections. Acute Inflammation is the body's defense mechanism, to signal the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissue, as well as being able to defend the body against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Without Acute Inflammation, infections that the body gets could become deadly and wounds could fester.
Acute inflammation occurs when you twist your ankle and it starts to swell and you are in pain, it occurs when you get a sore throat, it occurs when you fall and scrape or cut your knee. The short-term response from your body is blood vessels will dilate, blood flow increases, your white blood cells rush to the affected and injured area to help promote healing.
The body's signs that acute inflammation is occurring is swelling of the injured area, redness, heat and sometimes pain, loss of function. Acute inflammation is vitally important to injury and infection.
However, if the inflammatory process goes on for a long time or if it occurs in areas where the inflammatory process is not needed, it then becomes Chronic inflammation and that is where it becomes problematic.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to many different diseases and problems within the body such as heart disease or stroke, cancer, autoimmune disorders like arthritis, it can damage joints, internal organs, tissue and cells.
Chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of death in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks chronic diseases as the greatest threat to human health.
This type of systemic chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of disease, according to a summary in the John Hopkins Health Review. People who have chronic inflammation in middle age might have a higher risk of thinking and memory problems in old age and may contribute to cognitive decline in the decades leading up to old age, as found in a 20-year-old study from John Hopkins University. Besides looking for inflammation indicators in the blood, a person's diet, lifestyle habits and exposure in the environment can contribute to chronic inflammation.
It's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep inflammation in check, which includes anti-inflammatory diets and natural supplementation.
Anti-inflammatory diets most recommended are the recommended foods typical of a Mediterranean diet which includes eating more fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats; eating moderate amounts of nuts; eating very little red meat; and drinking red wine in moderation. Like the Mediterranean diet, the principles of an anti-inflammatory diet are healthful ones and the approach is nutritionally sound, according to the Mayo Clinic
An anti-inflammatory diet means restricting or trying to stay away from foods that can promote inflammation. It's best to limit the amount of foods you eat that are high in trans and saturated fats, such as red meats, dairy products and foods containing partially hydrogenated oils, according to the University of Wisconsin. Also limit sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, such as white rice, white flour products, sugar, white potatoes and bread. And cut back on the use of cooking oils and margarines that are high in omega-6 fatty acids, such as corn, safflower and sunflower oils.
Several dietary supplements have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties such as
Chronic inflammation can have a damaging effect on the body and is a critical factor causing almost all chronic degenerative diseases. The following are some of the most effective ways to prevent chronic inflammation.
- Diet: Follow an anti-inflammatory diet
- Exercise regularly and maintain an optimum weight
- Stress Less
- Sleep Longer - (ideally 7 - 8 hours)
- Take the Dietary Supplements that have anti-inflammatory properties
- Minimize the use of Anti-Biotics and NSAIDs
