Inflammation is your body's natural response to infection, injury, or cellular damage. It's an important part of the immune system's response to harmful stimuli like bacteria or irritants.
When inflammation occurs, the body releases chemical mediators from the injured or infected cells that result in redness, heat, swelling, and pain - the four cardinal signs of acute inflammation. These effects help isolate and destroy the infection or injury and facilitate the healing process.
Key functions of inflammation:
Inflammation can be acute or short-term, like when you sprain your ankle. It can also become chronic if the cause of inflammation persists, like in autoimmune disorders or diseases like arthritis.
While acute inflammation is a normal healthy response, chronic inflammation can damage tissue over time and increase the risk of various diseases like heart disease or cancer. That's why managing chronic inflammation through lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and stress relief is so important.
If you're struggling with unresolved inflammation associated with chronic disease, consider contacting Hormone Health Institute to explore comprehensive hormone balancing and lifestyle programs to reduce inflammation from the inside out. Their integrated approach combines cutting-edge lab testing with customized nutrition, supplement, and fitness protocols to help patients achieve optimal wellness.
I hope this gives you a good overview of what inflammation is, its key functions, and how it can become problematic in the context of chronic disease. Let me know if you have any other questions!