Understanding Inflammation (Video)

When you experience the heat of a fever or the swelling of an injury, you are seeing the immune system in action. The heat, pain, redness, and swelling all symptoms of what is called inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s response to infection, toxic exposure, or physical trauma. This response enables the body to repair damaged tissue or defend itself against pathogens.

When the body detects a threat, such as the tissue damage from an injury or a viral invader, it sends a specialized cells to the site of the damage.

B cells produce antibodies specifically designed to neutralize toxins and kill bacteria.

Macrophages and Neutrophils engulf and destroy foreign bacteria.

T cells identify and eliminate tissue cells that have been infected by viruses, preventing infection from spreading through the body.

To get to where they need to go, these cells release molecules called cytokines. Cytokines cause blood vessels to become slightly leaky, allowing immune cells move from the bloodstream into affected tissue. The leakiness also pushes fluids from the blood into that tissue. This flow of fluid and cells is what causes the visible swelling and redness at the place of injury.

While all of this is necessary for healing, it has a cost. The same response that destroys harmful bacteria also inevitably damages healthy tissue.

In a healthy system, this “collateral damage” is temporary. Once the threat is neutralized, the immune system acts to restore the tissue to its original state.

But sometimes the immune system fails to deactivate. When that happens, the inflammation changes from a healing process to a destructive one. This is known as chronic inflammation.

In a state of chronic inflammation, the immune system may begin to treat harmless substances, such as pollen or food proteins, as threats, resulting in allergies. In more severe cases, the system attacks normal body cells, leading to autoimmune disorders like arthritis or lupus.

Because chronic inflammation does not cause visible swelling or redness, it can cause hidden damage to organs over many years. Current research indicates that it contributes to the progression of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, and respiratory issues.

How can you fight chronic inflammation? There are clues to the answer to that in two things that are known to make it worse: high stress, and highly processed foods. Stress can be reduced by moderate physical activity, such as yoga, chi gong, tai chi, or even just walking, and also by enjoying the company of family and friends. Nutrition can be improved with real food that provides plenty of antioxidants and natural fiber.

Inflammation at the right time and the right place is a good thing. Healthy habits can help you make sure it stays that way.