Unit 6 Inflamation

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Inflammation and Its Role in the Body

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as:
Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi)
Damaged cells
Irritants (such as chemicals or foreign objects)

It is a protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators.

Inflammation is NOT the same as infection!

• Infection = Microbial invasion triggers inflammation.
• Inflammation = The body’s response to an irritant, whether microbial or not.

How Does Inflammation Feel?

When inflammation occurs, it often hurts. Depending on severity, a person may feel:
Pain
Stiffness
Discomfort
Distress
Agony

Example:
When a wound swells, turns red, and hurts, it may be a sign of inflammation. This is the immune system responding to an irritant, which could be:

• A germ (such as bacteria)
• A foreign object (e.g., a splinter in your finger)

Inflammation starts immediately—it doesn’t wait for an infection to develop!

Types of Inflammation

Inflammation can be classified into two types based on duration and severity:
Acute inflammation (fast onset, short duration)
Chronic inflammation (slow onset, long-lasting)

Common Causes of Inflammation

Inflammation can be triggered by:
Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi)
External injuries (scrapes, cuts, foreign objects like a thorn)
Effects of chemicals or radiation

Signs of Acute Inflammation

There are five key symptoms that may indicate acute inflammation:
Redness
Heat
Swelling
Pain
Loss of function

Note: Not all inflammations cause all five symptoms! Some can be silent and show no visible signs.

Examples of Loss of Function:

• Inability to move an inflamed joint properly
• Worsened sense of smell during a cold
• Difficulty breathing when experiencing bronchitis

Severe Inflammation and Systemic Reactions

If inflammation is severe, it can lead to widespread effects in the body:
Feeling generally ill, exhaustion, and fever
Changes in blood composition, including increased immune cells

A rare but serious complication of infection is septicemia (blood poisoning). Symptoms include:
Chills
Feeling very ill
Very high fever

When Inflammation Becomes Harmful

Inflammation is usually protective, but in some diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s own cells by mistake, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage.

Treating Inflammation

There are several effective treatments to reduce pain and swelling:
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) block prostaglandins, which trigger inflammation.
Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors block enzymes involved in inflammation.
Cytokine inhibitors are used for arthritis and other chronic conditions.

However, none of these treatments effectively treat systemic inflammation.

Conclusion:
Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism, but it can become harmful.
Understanding its symptoms, causes, and treatments helps manage it effectively.
Seek medical attention if inflammation becomes severe or persistent.

Questions

1. What is inflammation?
2. What are some causes of inflammation?
3. Which parts of the body are involved in inflammation?
4. Is inflammation the same as infection?
5. What does the word “infection” imply?
6. How does the body react to harmful irritants?
7. What are some common symptoms of inflammation?
8. Can inflammation occur without an infection?
9. What are the two types of inflammation?
10. How do acute and chronic inflammation differ?
11. What are some possible causes of inflammation?
12. What are the five main symptoms of acute inflammation?
13. Do all inflammations show the five symptoms?
14. What are some examples of loss of function due to inflammation?
15. What are some general body reactions to severe inflammation?
16. How does fever help the immune system during inflammation?
17. What is a rare but dangerous complication of an infection?
18. How does septicemia affect the body?
19. How can inflammation sometimes harm the body?
20. What types of medicine are used to treat inflammation?