Inflammation is not a synonym for infection, even in cases where inflammation is caused by infection. Although infection is caused by a microorganism, inflammation is one of the responses of the organism to the pathogen.
Inflammation happens when a physical factor triggers an immune reaction. Inflammation does not necessarily mean that there is an infection, but an infection can cause inflammation.
Possible Causes
The most common reasons for chronic inflammation include: Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, where your body attacks healthy tissue. Exposure to toxins, like pollution or industrial chemicals. Untreated acute inflammation, such as from an infection or injury.
Left unaddressed, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs, and may cause internal scarring, tissue death and damage to the DNA in previously healthy cells. Ultimately, this can lead to the development of potentially disabling or life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer or Type-2 diabetes.
Blood tests known as 'inflammatory markers' can detect inflammation in the body, caused by many diseases including infections, auto-immune conditions and cancers. The tests don't identify what's causing the inflammation: it might be as simple as a viral infection, or as serious as cancer.
Although infection is caused by a microorganism, inflammation is one of the responses of the organism to the pathogen. However, inflammation is a stereotyped response, and therefore it is considered as a mechanism of innate immunity, as compared to adaptive immunity, which is specific for each pathogen' [2].
Subacute inflammation is the period between acute and chronic inflammation and may last 2 to 6 weeks. Chronic inflammation is also referred to as slow, long-term inflammation lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years.
Inflammation is associated with diseases such as the following: Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease. Gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease.
Experiencing pain regularly that is not attributable to an injury is an indicator of a lot of inflammation. If you notice pain at the end of your range of motion, you could have too much inflammation. It could also be a signal that you have developed arthritis.
If you're experiencing short-term redness, sensitivity or swelling due to a cold or cut, you're dealing with acute inflammation, which should heal soon on its own. If you have an underlying condition or your inflammation lasts longer than a couple weeks, it's best to set up an appointment with your doctor.
Inflammation can be either short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Acute inflammation goes away within hours or days. Chronic inflammation can last months or years, even after the first trigger is gone.
The signs of inflammation include loss of function, heat, pain, redness, and swelling.
Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.
In summary, preliminary evidence suggests that acute and chronic stress is associated with increased inflammatory activity and enhanced attentional processing of negative information. Both are predictive of negative mood and depression symptoms that, in turn, increase inflammatory and cognitive stress reactivity.
Inflammation is the immune system's response to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, toxic compounds, or irradiation [1], and acts by removing injurious stimuli and initiating the healing process [2].
As the body gets flooded with these molecules during chronic inflammation, the cytokines actually begin to attack healthy joint and muscle tissue, resulting in pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness.
Having a raised inflammatory marker doesn't always mean you have a disease, they can also be raised in people who are overweight; ESR is also affected by age, gender, smoking and anaemia. It's also important to know that a normal inflammatory marker test result does not exclude illness.
C-reactive protein (CRP) test
This is another test used to help diagnose conditions that cause inflammation. CRP is produced by the liver and if there is a higher concentration of CRP than usual, it's a sign of inflammation in your body.
In cases with markedly raised levels of inflammatory markers (such as ESR >100 mm/h) the likelihood of disease is much higher. The diagnoses found in these conditions depend on study setting, but include infection (33-60%), inflammatory disease (14-30%), and malignancy (5-28%).