2 DISEASES

INFLAMMATION

What is inflammation

Inflammation is a complex biol,ogical response of vascular tissues to harmful¹ stimuli in a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process. The typical signs of acute inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling and loss of function.
Inflammation is not a synonym of infection; in fact, it can occur without infection. It is a sort of stereotyped response and can be considered a mechanism of innate immunity.
The factors that can stimulate inflammation include micro-organisms, physical agents, chemicals, inappropriate immunological responses, infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria, physical trauma, burns, radiation and frostbite. lt can also occur when tissue dies from lack of oxygen or nutrients, a situation often caused by loss of blood flow in the area.
The first stage of inflammati,on is often called irritation¹, which then becomes inflammation. Inflammation is followed by the discharging of pus. The granulation stage comes next, and new tissue is formed in the wound. Without inflammation, infections and wounds would never heal.
Inflammation can be acute or chronic.

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WARM UP

What are the five cardinal signs of inflammation? Choose among the following:
pain • heat • redness • swelling • bleeding • pus • pustules • loss of function of the organ involved

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DO

¹ Do you know other adjectives ending in -ful?

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MORE

¹ lrritation also means being angry or upset.

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Acute inflammation

Acute inflammation is the initi.al response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. A series of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory response involving the locai vascular system, the immune system and various cells within the injured tissue.
Acute inflammation usually lasts six weeks or less and can result from many skin issues, like acne, sunburns and allergie reactions.

Chronic inflammation

Prolonged inflammation, or chronic inflammation, leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells present at the site of inflammation and is characterised by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.
Chronic inflammation lasts more than six weeks and may be indefinite.