Chronic Inflammation

...Takes a toll on your health. Something as innocuous as painful joints can signal chronic inflammation.

Most of us have suffered the swelling, redness, and warmth that develop after a minor injury, and this acute inflammation is an appropriate response to repairing injured tissue, as well as repelling harmful viruses and bacteria. However, inflammation also may be involved in a slew of debilitating health conditions. There is evidence that even low-level chronic inflammation damages the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. It also can destroy brain cells, promote the development of cancerous tumours, and contribute to arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

So how is it that something as simple and protective as inflammation can also underpin life-changing diseases? The answer can be found in the differences between inflammation that is acute, and that which is chronic and can become self-perpetuating and systemic.

DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Inflammation is one of the immune system’s first-line weapons in response to bacteria, viruses, and other microbial invaders; a physiological response that is designed to jumpstart the process of healing. It’s a complex mechanism. If the body’s tissues suffer a trauma, damaged cells release pro inflammatory chemicals. Blood flow increases to the affected area, resulting in redness of the skin; and the pro-inflammatory chemicals at the site make blood vessels more permeable, so that they leak fluid into the tissues, swelling them. The chemicals also attract white blood cells that ‘eat’ bacteria and dead or damaged cells.