Inflammation: Types, Symptoms, and Prevention

Inflammation: Underlying Health Risks and Effective Strategies for Management and Prevention

The body stimulates the immune system; when toxic substances, viruses, and bacteria attack the human body, the immune system releases inflammatory cells. The cell promotes an inflammatory response to combat viruses, bacteria, or other harmful substances. This process results in pain, redness, and swelling. However, apart from the visual sign of inflammation, it can also be internal, which is not visible in the body. Chronic inflammation can be detected only by a blood test.

Type of Inflammation

There are two categories of inflammation:

Acute inflammation, for example, a sudden injury. In the healing process, the body transmits inflammatory cells to heal the wound, which results in healing.

Chronic inflammation occurs when the body sends inflammatory cells without any outside injury or damage.

Symptoms of Acute and Chronic Inflammation

Acute may result in the following:

• Swelling

• Pain

• Flushed skin in the event of an injury

It is difficult to identify chronic inflammation. Some of the symptoms of chronic inflammation may include:

• Joint pain

• Skin rash

• Chest pain

• Fever

• Mouth sores

• Abdominal pain

How it Contributes to Heart Disease

Recent studies show that inflammation plays a significant role in heart disease. Erin Michos, Associate Director of Preventive Cardiology for the Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, maintains that inflammation, like cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose level, should also be monitored.

Cholesterol and plaques in the arteries create a hindrance in the inflammatory response. According to Michos, “…inflammation may promote the growth of plaques, loosen plaque in your arteries, and trigger blood clots – the primary cause of heart attacks and stroke”. In heart attacks, the artery is blocked by a blood clot, while strokes take place when a blood clot blocks a route.

Other diseases that are linked with chronic inflammation include:

• Cancer
• Type 2 diabetes
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is an acute form as it suddenly develops and lasts for several days. However, it can also be in the form of chronic pancreatitis that can last for many years.

Acute pancreatitis signs include:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Upper abdominal pain
• Vomiting

Chronic pancreatitis symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain that increases after eating
• Losing weight
• Upper abdominal pain

Factors that Contribute to Pancreatitis

Several factors contribute to the chances of pancreatitis, such as:

• Obesity – Obese people are likely to develop pancreatitis
• Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of pancreatitis.
• Smokers are prone to develop chronic pancreatitis
• Diabetes. Diabetic people are at increased risk of pancreatitis.
• Genes – family history of pancreatitis increases the risk of developing chronic pancreatitis.

Causes

Some of the most common causes of chronic inflammation include:

• Exposure to toxins
• Untreated acute inflammation
• Autoimmune disorders in which the body attacks healthy tissues

Acute inflammation usually subsides within a few days with rest and proper wound dressing. Chronic inflammation, however, requires to consult of a doctor.

Strategy for Combating Inflammation

Sustained efforts and lifestyle changes can control inflammation. Michos points out that “…lifestyle choices decrease bad cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and reduce high blood sugar, too”. There are several ways to reduce it, for example:

Exercise – regular exercises such as brisk walking for 20-25 minutes.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet – choosing anti-inflammatory diets and avoiding food that contributes to inflammation. Some anti-inflammatory food choices include leafy greens, fruits, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, and sardines), whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and tomatoes.

Food that causes chronic inflammation should be avoided, such as trans-fat, refined oil, and meats with nitrates, such as hot dogs, white bread, sugar, and pastries.

Watch your weight – keep your weight under control, as an overweight person can be susceptible to various diseases. One should be especially mindful of the visceral fat that accumulates underneath the belly. Visceral fat secretes a molecule that is responsible for causing inflammation.

1. Johns Hopkins. Fight Inflammation to Help Prevent Heart Disease. (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fight-inflammation-to-help-prevent-heart-disease). Accessed October 5, 2022

2. Mayo Clinic. Pancreatitis. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20360227). Accessed October 7, 2022

3. Cleveland Clinic. Inflammation. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation#:~:text=A%20note%20from%20Cleveland%20Clinic,may%20lead%20to%20chronic%20inflammation). Accessed October 7, 2022