Inflammation−Defined.

Inflammation is the body’s natural immune system response to irritation, injury, or infection, designed to protect tissues and initiate healing. There are two major types of inflammation, short term or acute, as with an injury, and longer-term or chronic, as with autoimmune disorders.

Your body’s inflammatory response operates as a defense mechanism, often resulting in symptoms like redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function as the body moves into healing mode.

When tissue is damaged, the body releases chemicals, such as histamine, to increase blood flow to the area, causing redness and warmth. Swelling is common, as blood vessels become more permeable, allowing white blood cells and fluid to enter tissues.

While acute inflammation is essential for healing, stealthy, chronic inflammation is linked to serious diseases, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. You can have your levels assessed medically with a C-reactive protein (CRP) test.