Define Inflammation, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Inflammation is a complex response to an injury or wound that facilitates an immediate reaction and a series of events that are designed to promote recovery and healing. In many cases, inflammation has many positive benefits, particularly as it aims to prevent cellular damage that is sustained when an injury occurs. It also demonstrates the importance of the body’s reaction to injury, thereby creating an environment in which immediate healing is likely to begin in order to combat the injury and the damage that may be sustained. This process is necessary in order to ensure that patients are able to recover from injuries that affect cells in different areas and how to best respond to these conditions with an acute response mechanism. In addition, chronic inflammation also occurs and is caused by a number of different factors that include different types of diseases.

Analysis

There are different types of inflammation that occur throughout the body, including acute inflammation in response to a wound or injury, and chronic inflammation, which is likely to occur as a result a chronic disease or condition that may attack different organs and cells (Life Extension, 2015). This reflects the importance of understanding the inflammatory response and why some types of inflammation occur regularly, such as in persons with different types of arthritis, diabetes, and cancer among other conditions (Life Extension, 2015). Acute inflammation is characterized by an immediate response in the affected area where injury has occurred, and includes such factors as an increase in blood flow, vasodilation within the affected area, an increase in vascular permeability, fluid exudation, and the integration of leukocytes, neutrophils, and other cells as a means of creating the inflammatory response within the injured area (Oregon State University, 2015). At the same time, neutrophils undergo phagocytosis and are able to kill microorganisms and pathogens within the affected area, along with neutrophils, which release proteins that support the area, and cytokines that include interleukin-6 and others (Oregon State University, 2015). This process demonstrates that the inflammatory response is essential in the ability of the human body to recover from injury and to manage the healing process in a relatively smooth manner so that the damage sustained in this process is minimized as best as possible.

Chronic inflammation is caused by such factors as mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidized lipoproteins, and uric acid crystals, among other variables; in addition, there are a number of risk factors associated with chronic inflammation, such as age, excess intake of sugar, and obesity (Life Extension, 2015). These factors must be addressed more closely and provide a basis for examining the key principles of chronic inflammation and what is required to overcome or manage this condition effectively. Chronic inflammation is evaluated through tests for interleukin-1 beta, fibrinogen, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein, among other alternatives (Life Extension, 2015). This phenomenon is treated through medications such as Metformin, as well as improved dietary changes such as a low-glycemic diet and an increase in physical activity (Life Extension, 2015).

Conclusion

The process of inflammation triggers a complex response that is designed to facilitate recovery and healing when an injury is sustained and requires some type of response in order to heal. In other cases, there are instances of chronic inflammation that are caused by diseases; therefore, it is important to recognize that inflammation may be caused by a number of different factors and serves as the response to a foreign body or injury that affects an area of cells and tissues in different ways.

References

Life Extension (2015). Inflammation (chronic). Retrieved from http://www.lifeextension.com/Protocols/Health-Concerns/Chronic-Inflammation/Page-01

Oregon State University (2015). Inflammation. Retrieved from http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/inflammation