Before, you go further, keep in mind that this article is written by a skincare professional and enthusiast, not a medical professional. So always consult your healthcare provider about what we bring to you.

efore, you go further, keep in mind that this article is written by a skincare professional and enthusiast, not a medical professional. So always consult your healthcare provider about what we bring to you.efore, you go further, keep in mind that this article is written by a skincare professional and enthusiast, not a medical professional. So always consult your healthcare provider about what we bring to you.

With that being said, what is INFLAMMATION?

      Our immune system's natural reaction to damage and illness is inflammation. Your body is guarded against external intruders like germs and viruses by white blood cells and inflammatory substances in the bloodstream. A localized inflammatory response after an injury is crucial to the recovery process. 

When a wound swells up, turns red and hurts, it may be a sign of inflammation. Very generally speaking, inflammation is the body’s immune system’s response to an irritant. The irritant might be a germ, but it could also be a foreign object, such as a splinter in your finger.

This means that an inflammation doesn’t only start when, for instance, a wound has already been infected by bacteria, is oozing pus or healing poorly. It already starts when the body is trying to fight against the harmful irritant.

The body initiates a biological response to try to oust an invader when it finds one. A foreign object, such as a thorn, an irritant, or a virus, could be the assailant. Pathogens, which cause infections, include bacteria, viruses, and other creatures.

However, in other conditions, such as arthritis, your body's immune system causes inflammation even though there are no external invaders to repel. Your immune system misbehaves in certain autoimmune illnesses, attacking healthy tissues as if they are abnormal or contaminated.

TYPES OF INFLAMMATION 

Acute inflammation and chronic inflammation are the two main categories of inflammation.

Acute inflammation is beneficial because it promotes healing. Because it is often associated with chronic conditions, chronic inflammation is “ the more severe" form. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a number of diseases, including arthritis, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease, according to research. Inflammation that is acute and chronic has distinct sources, symptoms, and goals.

ACUTE INFLAMMATION

A sprained ankle is a classic example of an injury that results in acute inflammation. Other common causes include illnesses like bacterial infections and common viruses.

Acute inflammation can be very severe and occurs quickly. Inflammation can be seen in action if you've ever fractured a bone or cut oneself. Acute inflammation is the body's reaction to unexpected bodily harm, like cutting your finger. Your body sends inflammatory cells to the wound to speed up healing. The healing process is launched by these cells.

Following an injury, common indicators of inflammation include:

• Redness

• Pain and sensitivity

• Puffiness, lumps, or swelling

• Warmth near the location of the wound

• Bruising

• Stiffness

• Reduced mobility

Acute inflammation can continue anywhere from a few of days to a couple of months, depending on the origin and seriousness of the wound.

Acute inflammation can be systemic, as with a viral infection, or localized to a specific location. Your body launches a comprehensive immune response to ward off dangerous invaders like germs and viruses when it detects them.

Several inflammatory substances are released in response to white blood cells. You will feel unwell and worn out as a result of this form of acute inflammation as your body devotes all of its energy to fending off infection.

In more serious conditions, signs and symptoms could last longer than a few days or weeks.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION 

Long-term, chronic inflammation can persist for many years or even a lifetime. It frequently starts when no injury or disease is evident and lasts far longer than it ought to. Since chronic inflammation does not appear to have the same function as acute inflammation, scientists are unsure of why it occurs. However, they are aware that it has the potential to significantly alter the body's tissues, organs, and cells over time.

Chronic inflammation has been linked in studies to a wide range of dangerous illnesses. Remember that the distinction between two things being connected and one item causing another is very important.

One of the many elements that contribute to the development and spread of disease is chronic inflammation. Type 2 diabetes and heart disease have so far been linked to chronic inflammation and disease in the greatest way.

Chronic inflammation is linked to the following other conditions:

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Kidney disease

• Various types of cancer

• Depression

• Neurodegenerative disorders (like Alzheimer’s disease)

• Autoimmune disorders

• Osteoporosis

• Fatty liver disease

Many times, chronic inflammation proceeds subtly and exhibits few distinct signs. Chronic inflammation poses a serious threat to the health and longevity of a vast population despite the fact that it is modest.

CAUSES FOR AN INFLAMMATION

Many different things can cause inflammations. 

These are the most common:

• Pathogens (germs) like bacteria, viruses or fungi

• External injuries like scrapes or damage through foreign objects (for example a thorn in your finger)

• Effects of chemicals or radiation

Diseases or medical conditions that cause inflammation often have a name ending in “-itis.” For

Example:

• Cystitis: an inflammation of the bladder

• Bronchitis: an inflammation of the bronchi

• Otitis media: an inflammation of the middle ear

• Dermatitis: a disease where the skin is inflamed

WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC INFLAMATION?

There are several typical causes of persistent systemic inflammation, according to researchers. Many have a strong connection to aging and modern living.

• Physical inactivity: When your muscles are moving, a chemical reaction that reduces inflammation takes place in the bloodstream. About half of all American adults fall below the minimal exercise guidelines for optimal health, which puts them at higher risk for age-related diseases.

• Obesity: Excessive amounts of fat tissue, particularly visceral fat (a thick layer of fat surrounding the abdominal organs), actually trigger the release of inflammatory chemicals.

• Diet: Increased inflammation is linked to diets high in saturated fat, trans fat, and refined sugar, especially in overweight individuals.

• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes decreases the generation of chemicals that reduce inflammation and increases it.

• Low sex hormones: Sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen reduce inflammation. Age-related hormone levels that are lower raise the risk of inflammatory disorders.

• Stress: Psychological stress is linked to an increase in inflammation.

• Sleep Disorder: Inflammation markers are higher in those with irregular sleep patterns than in those who get the recommended eight hours per night.

• Age: According to research, chronic inflammation gets worse with age.

These are some signs of inflammation:

• Fever

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

• Stuffy nose

• Headache

Inflammations don’t always cause all symptoms. Some inflammations occur “silently” and don’t cause any symptoms.

General responses in the body

If the inflammation is severe, it can cause general reactions in the body. These may include the following signs and symptoms:

Generally feeling ill, exhaustion and fever: These are signs that the immune system is very active and needs a lot of energy, which may be lacking for other activities. If the rate of metabolism is higher due to a fever, more antibodies and cells of the immune system can be produced.

Changes in the blood: such as an increased number of immune system cells.

A very rare but dangerous complication of an infection is called septicemia (blood poisoning). The possible signs of this complication include chills, feeling very ill, and a very high fever.

Septicemia may occur if bacteria multiply quickly in a certain part of the body and then a lot of them suddenly enter the bloodstream. This can happen if the body isn’t able to fight the infection locally, if the germs are very aggressive, or if the immune system is very weak. Septicemia is a medical emergency and needs to be treated by a doctor as soon as possible.

What happens when you have an inflammation

When an inflammation occurs in your body, many different immune system cells may be involved. They release various substances, known as inflammatory mediators. These include the hormones bradykinin and histamine. They cause the small blood vessels in the tissue to become wider (dilate), allowing more blood to reach the injured tissue. For this reason, inflamed areas turn red and feel hot.

The increased blood flow also allows more immune system cells to be carried to the injured tissue, where they help with the healing process. What’s more, both of these hormones irritate nerves and cause pain signals to be sent to the brain. This has a protective function: If the inflammation hurts, you tend to protect the affected part of the body.

The inflammatory mediators have yet another function: They make it easier for immune system cells to pass out of the small blood vessels, so that more of them can enter the affected tissue. The immune system cells also cause more fluid to enter the inflamed tissue, which is why it often swells up. The swelling goes down again after a while, when this fluid is transported out of the tissue.

Mucous membranes also release more fluid when they are inflamed. For instance, this happens when you have a stuffy nose and the membranes lining your nose are inflamed. Then the extra fluid can help to quickly flush the viruses out of your body.