Why Do I Get Inflammation? 

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is a process by which the body's white blood cells and substances they produce protect us from infection with foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses.

However, in some diseases, like arthritis, the body's defense system -- the immune system -- triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign invaders to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body's normally protective Immune System causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.

What Are The Diseases and Symptoms Associated With Inflammation?

What Diseases Are Associated With Inflammation?

Some, but not all, types of arthritis are the result of misdirected inflammation. Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation in the joints. Some types of arthritis associated with inflammation include the following:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Gouty arthritis

Other painful conditions of the joints and musculoskeletal system that may not be associated with inflammation include osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, muscular low back pain, and muscular neck pain.

What Are the Symptoms of Inflammation?

Symptoms of inflammation include:

• Redness
• Swollen joint that's sometimes warm to the touch
• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Loss of joint function

Often, only a few of these symptoms are present.

Inflammation may also be associated with general flu-like symptoms including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue/loss of energy
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle stiffness

What Causes Inflammation and What Are Its Effects?

What Causes Inflammation and What Are Its Effects?

When inflammation occurs, chemicals from the body's white blood cells are released into the blood or affected tissues to protect your body from foreign substances. This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection, and may result in redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals cause a leak of fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling. This protective process may stimulate nerves and cause pain.

The increased number of cells and inflammatory substances within the joint cause irritation, swelling of the joint lining and, eventually, wearing down of cartilage (cushions at the end of bones).

Causes

The Medical Perspective

Inflammation is caused by a number of physical reactions triggered by the immune system in response to a physical injury or an infection.

Inflammation does not necessarily mean that there is an infection, but an infection can cause inflammation.

Three main processes occur before and during acute inflammation:

• The small branches of arteries enlarge when supplying blood to the damaged region, resulting in increased blood flow.
• Capillariesbecome easier for fluids and proteins to infiltrate, meaning that they can move between blood and cells.
• The body releases neutrophils. A neutrophil is a type of white blood cell filled with tiny sacs that contain enzymes and digest microorganisms.

A person will notice inflammation symptoms after these steps take place.

The Alternative Perspective

Appreciate that ALL disease processes begin the following way:

If the body has everything it requires in order to maintain normal function and harmony, the body will be happy and will function as intended.  It will have abundant energy, it will heal properly, if needed and will maintain ideal functioning throughout the lifetime of the body.

What happens when the body lacks what it needs to maintain normal function?

The first response the body will take is to swell.  It will get bigger and expand its cellular membrane in an effort to allow more of the required ingredients into the cell to maintain homeostasis within the cell.  If the proper ingredients are acquired, the cell will go back to balance and all will be normal again.

When this does not occur, due to

• poor eating habits,
• poor digestion,
• poor absorption,
• poor assimilation and
• the digestive system disruptors, the first thing a cell will do is become inflamed. 

The inflammatory response is the body asking for help.  The body is asking for the appropriate ingredients to stop the inflammatory process.  This can and often is remedied by eating the required nutrients.  And it can also be drinking more water, breathing more quality air, eliminating the negative emotions, getting more sleep; restoring harmony to the system by giving the system what it requires for balanced function.  That is why it is important to live a balanced life and one that affords you the opportunity to have everything the body requires to maintain balance and harmony. 

How Are Inflammatory Diseases Diagnosed?

How Are Inflammatory Diseases Diagnosed?

Inflammatory diseases are diagnosed after careful evaluation of the following:

• Complete medical history and physical exam with attention to:
• The pattern of painful joints and whether there is evidence of inflammation
• Presence of joint stiffness in the morning
• Evaluation of other symptoms
• Results of X-rays and blood tests

Medicines Two Choices for You

Can Inflammation Affect Internal Organs?

YES. Inflammation can affect organs as part of an autoimmune disorder. The type of symptoms depend on which organs are affected. For example:

• Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may cause shortness of breath or fluid retention.
• Inflammation of the small tubes that transport air to the lungs may cause shortness of breath.
• Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) may cause high blood pressure or kidney failure.

Pain may not be a primary symptom of an inflammatory disease, since many organs do not have many pain-sensitive nerves. Treatment of organ inflammation is directed at the cause of inflammation whenever possible.

The Medical Perspective

How Are Inflammatory Joint Diseases Treated?

There are a number of treatment options for inflammatory diseases, like arthritis, including medications, rest, exercise, and surgery to correct joint damage. The type of treatment prescribed will depend on several factors, including the type of disease, the person's age, type of medications he or she is taking, overall health, medical history, and severity of symptoms.

The goals of treatment are the following:

• Correct, control, or slow down the underlying disease process
• Avoid or modify activities that aggravate pain
• Relieve pain through pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Maintain joint movement and muscle strength through physical therapy
• Decrease stress on the joints by using braces, splints, or canes as needed

What Drugs Are Used to Treat Inflammatory Diseases?

There are many drugs available to decrease joint pain, swelling and inflammation, and possibly prevent or minimize the progression of the inflammatory disease. They are often used in combination due to their differing effects. The medications include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen)
• Corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
• Antimalarial medications (such as hydroxychloroquine)
• Other oral drugs known as DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide
• Biologic drugs such as infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab, abatacept, tocilizumab, and rituximab

Some of these medications are also used to treat other conditions such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, or to reduce the risk of rejection of a transplanted organ. However, when "chemotherapy" types of medications (such as methotrexate or cyclophosphamide) are used to treat inflammatory diseases, the doses are sometimes significantly lower and the risks of side effects tend to be less than when prescribed in higher doses for cancer treatment.

When you are prescribed any medication, it is important to meet with your doctor regularly so he or she can detect the development of any side effects.

Medicines Two Choices for You

What to Discuss with Your Doctor

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Dr. Huntoon's Perspective and Your Solution