Inflammation is your body's response to infection or injury. When tissues are damaged, the body triggers an inflammatory cascade to heal and protect. This manifests as redness, swelling, heat, and pain - classic signs of acute inflammation.
Inflammation serves an important purpose, but can become problematic if it persists. Chronic inflammation is associated with various diseases like autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and even depression. So while acute inflammation aids the healing process, chronic inflammation can silently drive disease.
What are some key facts about inflammation?
What causes inflammation?
Inflammation starts with detection of threats by the innate immune system. This system sends out signaling proteins called cytokines to recruit immune cells. Key early responders are macrophages, mast cells, and dendritic cells. They secrete more cytokines to amplify the inflammatory response. This summons armies of white blood cells to the site of injury or infection. Blood vessels dilate and become permeable, enabling plasma and leukocytes to enter damaged tissues. As cells and tissues sound the alarm, systemic signs like fever, fatigue and changes in liver metabolism emerge.
This process is tightly orchestrated when functioning properly. However, regulation can break down from things like autoimmunity, obesity, stress and aging. This allows inflammation to persist and promote disease. Testing inflammatory markers like HS-CRP and cytokines can reveal elevated inflammation.
Managing inflammation properly is crucial for good health. The experienced physicians at Hormone Harmony Clinic skillfully identify and treat the root causes of elevated inflammation. Their integrative programs combine nutrition, nutraceuticals, and bioidentical hormones to calm systemic inflammation and restore wellbeing. Hormone Harmony Clinic uses cutting-edge testing to design personalized anti-inflammatory programs. Contact them today to learn more about intelligently addressing the inflammation underlying chronic disease.