Inflammation

Overview

Inflammation involves various biochemical reactions that are the body's response to injury, irritation or infection.

 Inflammation: Substances that Treat

 Inflammation: Food/Herb Treatments

Cardiovascular System

 During Acute Inflammation in response to tissue damage, small Blood Vessels in the damaged area initially constrict (contract) and then dilate (expand) - this dilation of the Blood Vessels is responsible for the heat and redness at the sites of Inflammation.

 The biochemical processes involved in Blood Clotting are invoked during simple Inflammation of the Tissues.

Immune System

 During Inflammation, IgG enters the tissues and stimulates Phagocytes (Monocytes functioning as Macrophages; and Neutrophils) to engulf Detrimental Bacteria.

 During Inflammation, Eosinophils act to control Allergies.

 During Inflammation, Neutrophils release Lysozyme to destroy Detrimental Bacteria.

 Mast Cells "burst" and release Histamine and Serotonin as a defense mechanism against Antigens bound to IgE that are attracted to Mast Cells.

 The end product of the Inflammation process is often Pus (comprised of dead tissue, Neutrophils and Monocytes).

Metabolism

 Free Radicals are generated during the Inflammation process.  ^[1]

Musculoskeletal System

 The Inflammation process results in Swelling of the affected tissues (from the increased permeability of Blood Vessels which allows fluids to escape from Blood Plasma to the damaged Tissue causing a form of Edema).

Nervous System

 Pain occurs a the sites of Inflammation (as a result of the release of Bradykinin and Serotonin).

Enzymes

 During the Inflammation process, Collagenase is released (which then damages Collagen).

 During the Inflammation process, Elastase is released (which then damages Elastin).

Hormones

 Corticosteroid Hormones suppress Inflammation.

Immune System Chemicals

 Complement (a series of endogenous Proteins that functions as an enzyme) directs Phagocytes to Antigens that are causing the Inflammation.

 Lymphokines become operational during Inflammation.

Lipids

 Arachidonic Acid is released from Cell Membranes during the initial stages of Inflammation.  This release occurs in response to mediators from activated Blood Platelets.  This released Arachidonic Acid is subsequently converted to various Eicosanoids that are involved in Inflammation.  ^[2]

Neurotransmitters

 Bradykinin is responsible for the majority of the sensation of Pain that occurs during Inflammation.

 Histamine and Serotonin are released by Mast Cells and Basophils to destroy the Antigens that cause Inflammation.