What is inflammation?
“Inflammation” occurs when the body’s immune system releases white blood cells and immune proteins to protect us from infections and foreign substances like viruses and bacteria.
Another cause of inflammation has nothing to do with foreign bodies. It occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks other organs in the body. These are called autoimmune diseases. In this way, the body’s immune system damages its own tissues and organs. It responds to these organs and tissues as if they were foreign bodies or abnormal. This causes inflammation, which then can lead to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes or a host of other illnesses.
Symptoms of inflammation demonstrate the body’s efforts to cast off the offending substance. The aim of inflammation is to remove harmful stimuli, including irritants, damaged cells or pathogens.
Acute inflammation is typically broken down into three stages. A few seconds or minutes after tissue damage, inflammation starts. This is the body’s immune response in action. The damage could be physical or caused by one’s immune response.
Small arterial branches leading to capillaries dilate, resulting in increased blood flow. Then these capillaries become more permeable, letting fluid and proteins move into the spaces between cells. Finally, white blood cells that digest foreign materials are circulated. Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, are filled with tiny sacs of enzymes that consume unhealthy microorganisms.
Five signs of acute inflammation are pain, redness, immobility (pain affects the ability to move the affected part), swelling and heat. Pain usually occurs when swelling impinges on the nerve cells and sends pain signals to the brain.
Inflammation -- what is it good for?
As part of the body’s immune response, inflammation is useful. Without its mechanisms, wounds wouldn't heal. White blood cells help expel foreign bodies from the wound, encapsulating the toxins in microphages, cells that consume abnormal cell parts and foreign matter. Neuroscientists found that inflammation helps heal muscle tissue. This finding may present alternate therapies when dealing with sports and muscle injuries.
Inflammation and the Gut
Gastrointestinal dysfunction in this case, involves the permeability of the GI tract. The more stress, the more permeable the gastrointestinal tissue. Cortisol, a hormone, rises during an argument or other emotionally charged situation. This, in turn, increases the permeability of the gut, which then allows toxins, bacteria, partially digested food and viruses to pass through the GI wall and into the bloodstream. The body then disperses organisms, typically white blood cells, to eliminate these invaders, which can lead to various illnesses and autoimmune diseases.
There are hundreds of autoimmune diseases. One in 12 women and one in 24 men deal with autoimmune response inflammation. This means they probably have lifestyles and habits conducive to anti-inflammatory actions, if they were practiced. But these inflammatory diseases aren’t presented as gut issues. So the patient often does not get full advice from the unaware physician, just meds for the symptoms -- nothing for the actual cause of the inflammation.
Inflammation can be caused by diet, a frequent key trigger. Alcohol, processed foods, fast foods, gluten and sugar are all inflammatory when consumed. So are medications such as corticosteroids and antibiotics, plus stress, which increases cortisol. This can increase the risk or strokes, other brain trauma or neurodegeneration diseases like Alzheimer’s. Yeast overgrowth, viral or parasitic or metabolic processes like the end products of sugar metabolism may cause inflammation as well.
Inflammation is common in heart disease and stroke patients. The cardiovascular system risks with inflammation are cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL, low-density lipids, the bad type of cholesterol. LDLs form plaque on the walls of arteries, and the immune system responds by building barriers around these deposits. Danger occurs when plaque breaks free and travels through the bloodstream, where it begins a battle with white blood cells. These clumps can block a heart or brain artery partially or completely, causing a heart attack or stroke.
As inflammation progresses, it begins to damage organs, joints and arteries. This can further contribute to heart diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other diverse illnesses such as obesity, peripheral neuropathy, migraines, thyroid issues, ADHD and diabetes.
There are many simple things one can do to avoid substances and situations that promote inflammation in the body. Try to avoid stress or find ways to deal with it healthfully. Though it may seem impossible, there are mechanisms that will allow you to live with stress such as exercise, meditation or yoga.
Anti-inflammatory diets go a long way in securing future physical and psychological health. Eat fatty, cold-water fish like salmon and tuna and less red meat and eggs. Tofu, grapes, blueberries, garlic, olive oil, tea, walnuts, celery, tea, and spices like turmeric, rosemary and ginger are all good foods to eat on this diet. Limit carbohydrates and simple sugar consumption and avoid white flour, white rice and high-fructose corn syrup. Also stay away from trans fat products like margarine, deep fried foods, corn oil and processed foods.
Remember that diseases like autism, depression, Crohn’s and gallbladder disease, kidney failure and rheumatoid arthritis are all made worse by inflammation. So the more you reduce stress in your life, the more positively your health will be affected.