How can inflammation contribute to the development of disease?

Dr Juli Mazi ND
3 min readNov 30, 2022

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Whether you are an athlete or just a person trying to improve your health, knowing the causes of the inflammation can help you make decisions that will improve your health. This article examines how inflammation can result in chronic disease. We will discuss the causes and symptoms and the immune system’s participation.

Multiple forms of inflammation have been linked to disease. Several factors might provoke it, including food, stress, and environmental exposures. Even though the role of inflammation in disease is still largely unknown, several approaches exist to lower it. Consult a physician about measures you can take to keep inflammation under control.

Acute and chronic inflammation both contribute to disease development. Typically, chronic inflammation is followed by tissue degeneration. People may only realize they have chronic inflammation once they are diagnosed with a different illness.

Acute inflammation is the immune system’s defensive response to harmful stimuli. The inflamed tissue is attacked by inflammatory cells at the site of an injury. The inflammatory reaction aids in the removal of necrotic cells and the healing process.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that chronic inflammation is one of the primary causes of a wide range of disorders. Chronic inflammation is connected with autoimmune illnesses, neurological diseases, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. It has also been associated with obesity and high-saturated-fat diets.

The inflammatory response begins when substances generated by injured tissue activate the immune system. These substances include proteins and inflammatory mediators. The body then begins to defend itself from intruders.

Acute inflammation results from an accident or illness. Acute inflammation is restricted to a particular region of the body. The symptoms can range from a few days to many weeks.

Chronic inflammation is more pervasive and has a longer duration. It is not an immediate reaction to an injury; many individuals are unaware they have it. Numerous circumstances, including untreated injuries, a diet heavy in inflammatory substances, or a persistent illness, can cause it.

Chronic inflammation’s symptoms pose a grave threat to your health. They can result in a variety of fatal diseases. The most effective method is to prevent these situations.

In chronic inflammation, the body’s immune system targets healthy tissue. This may include your muscles and joints. Additionally, it may induce DNA damage to healthy cells.

It is a common sign of numerous diseases, such as cancer, and can also be a symptom of autoimmune disorders. It is essential to discuss with your physician how to treat your chronic inflammation. Numerous medications can ease symptoms. Getting enough sleep is also a crucial aspect.

In response to injury and infection, the immune system releases inflammatory cells. These cells migrate to the location where they are required. Inflamed cells might result in bruising, fever, edema, and pain. Depending on the infection or injury degree, these symptoms may emerge between days and weeks.

Inflammation can significantly contribute to systemic disease triggered by an athletic injury or a chronic condition. It is not uncommon for a person to have a systemic illness without ever exhibiting symptoms.

Nonetheless, systemic inflammation can result in irreversible brain alterations, such as cognitive impairment. It is also associated with cardiovascular illness. Atherosclerosis, or the deposition of lipids on the arterial walls, can be caused by inflammation. Multiple kinds of cancer appear to be impacted by chronic low-level inflammation.

Systemic inflammation occurs when the immune system defends the body continuously. It is typically silent and painless but can injure organs and blood vessel walls.

When the body reacts to a severe viral infection, acute inflammation develops. In most instances, the rash is transient and will subside once the disease has reduced. In some other cases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis, the inflammation can linger for weeks or years.

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Dr Juli Mazi ND

Dr. Juli Mazi is a registered primary care physician and a Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) based in Napa, California.