Inflammation – Signs and Treatment

The word inflammation is derived from Latin – inflammare which means to set on fire. It is a part of complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants.

The process is an attempt by the body to get rid of the injurious stimuli and to begin healing process.

Acute and Chronic Inflammation

. Acute inflammation is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes (especially granulocytes ) from the blood into the injured tissues.

A cascade of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the injured tissue. Prolonged inflammation, known as chronic inflammation, leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells present at the site of inflammation and is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.

Here are five cardinal signs of acute inflammation. These signs are present in the area where inflammation is active.

• Dolor (pain)
• Calor (heat)
• Rubor (redness)
• Turgor (swelling)
• Functio laesa (loss of function)

The first four signs are called classical signs and were described by Celsus while loss of function was added later by Galen.

Acute type  is of sudden onset and quickly increases in severity, lasts for few days generally but may persist for few weeks .

It starts rapidly (rapid onset) and quickly becomes severe. Signs and symptoms are only present for a few days, but in some cases may persist for a few weeks.

Inciting stimuli is generally a pathogen or injury. Acute inflammation is conducted by  neutrophils, basophils , and eosinophils and monocytes. Primary mediators  are  eicosanoids, vasoactive amines.

Acute appendicitis is an example.

Chronic inflammation is  long-term, can last for months and years.  This generally occurs when body cannot eliminate the stimulus, there is autoimmune phenomenon or presence of chronic irritant.

It is caused by generally non-degradable pathogens that persist, some viral infections, foreign body or hyper immune system reactions.

Major cells involved  are macrophages, lymphocytes and  plasma cells  and fibroblasts. Primary mediators  are  reactive oxygen species, hydrolytic enzymes, IFN-γ and other cytokines, growth factors.

Chronic inflammation causes the destruction of tissue, fibrosis and necrosis. Asthma is an example of chronic inflammation.

Treatment

NSAIDs  or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation are taken to control pain caused by inflammation. They block cyclooxygenase enzyme and block prostaglandins which cause  inflammation.
Other class of drugs are steroids which suppress the inflammation.