When a doctor says a section of your body is inflamed, it is most often not a compliment to your health. However, inflammation is not always harmful, and it frequently begins as a positive thing. Dr. Kaushik Govindaraju, an internist at Medical Offices of Manhattan, says that inflammation is the body’s natural defense system. When you’re sick or hurt, your body activates this defense system to aid in your recovery.
There are two main types of inflammation: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation. Both types of inflammation appear similarly but differ in how long they remain in the body and the health effects they cause along the route.
During acute inflammation, the body sends out white blood cells, which dispatch and congregate around the site of the damage. Once there, the cells begin fighting against so-called “invaders.” Acute inflammation symptoms include heat, warmth, and swelling. In some circumstances, inflammation persists beyond the acute phase and becomes a chronic condition in the body. Chronic inflammation refers to prolonged inflammation.
“Chronic inflammation can begin the same way as acute inflammation but paradoxically can become a problem when it is persistent,” suggests Govindaraju. “While low levels of acute inflammation are good and even essential to overall health, chronic inflammation can lead to long-term health issues.” Chronic inflammatory illness affects tens of millions of people in the United States. Read the article
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