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Acute inflammatory process. Inflammation: causes, symptoms and treatment. How to quickly treat inflammation with colds and sore throats at home

What do such seemingly different chronic diseases as cardiovascular disease, depression, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis have in common? They are based on chronic inflammatory processes. Inflammation is a universal process that occurs both externally and internally. It is inflammation that is our first line of defense and the body's response to adverse factors that disrupt its functioning - both at the level of physiology (hormonal imbalance, dysbacteriosis, cut, burn) and at the level of psychology (for example, emotional trauma).

Usually, when we talk about inflammation, we most often imagine them in connection with external injuries - cuts, fractures, fever. It is much more difficult to imagine internal inflammatory processes: we do not see them, often do not feel them due to the small number of pain receptors in the abdominal cavity and do not associate symptoms of malaise with them, such as headaches, chronic fatigue, overweight, skin problems, worsening memory, loss of joy from life.

Information about all types of injuries - be it physiological or mental, is distributed throughout the body using a single mechanism - a protective immune response. Information about an adverse event is carried by special signaling molecules - inflammatory cytokines that travel throughout the body to provide a protective response at the cellular level.

How can inflammation be protected?

Imagine a broken limb or a deep cut on a finger. Literally in a matter of minutes after the injury, the wound site turns red and swells, accompanied by pain.

What for?

This is a powerful protective process through which our immune system works. In case of injury, special pattern recognition receptors stimulate the production of immune cells with the help of inflammatory cytokines, which, in turn, lead to a number of physiological processes - such as the expansion of blood vessels, increasing their permeability, the accumulation of leukocytes and plasma at the site of injury, and an increase in the number of pain receptors.

On the one hand, it is painful and uncomfortable. On the other hand, each component of inflammation performs essential functions to keep us alive:

Expansion of blood vessels is necessary to deliver leukocytes and plasma to the site of injury, which destroy pathogens and monitor the inflammatory process.

A swelling at the site of an injury is the result of the accumulation of plasma and white blood cells there and a sign that they are working to repair damaged tissues.

Pain and temporary restriction in the use of the damaged organ allows you to treat it with care and does not allow you to use it until the moment of recovery.

In other words, inflammatory processes are an important part of our immunity and a condition for maintaining life and health. True, on one condition: if these processes are localized in time.

The effectiveness of the inflammatory process depends on the speed of its initiation, as well as prompt neutralization after it has performed its function.

When inflammation kills

The inflammatory process has a price. It performs a powerful protective function, but for this, means are used that can cause physical damage to us. Inflammatory processes destroy damaged and infected own tissues, use free radicals to neutralize them, and are characterized by a high level of oxidative stress.

In the short term, a healthy person has resources that neutralize damage, like nutrients: antioxidant vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals, endogenous antioxidant substances and systems.

What happens if the inflammatory process is delayed?

Processes that are potentially dangerous for their own tissues pass into a chronic sluggish mode. Gradually, the body's resources to neutralize them are depleted, and the process that was a defense mechanism now begins to damage the body.

It is chronic systemic inflammatory processes that underlie aging and lead to the development of chronic diseases, including cancer.

Also, chronic inflammatory processes are a constant activation of the immune system, which in the long term leads to a failure of its work. One of the manifestations of this failure is the loss of a key ability of the immune system to recognize its tissues and distinguish them from others and, as a result, an attack on its own tissues - that is, the development of autoimmune diseases, the number of which is growing at a rapid pace in developed countries.

Thus, it is inflammatory processes that trigger the mechanisms for the development of diseases that are completely different in terms of symptoms.

Alzheimer's disease - inflammatory cytokines activate chronic inflammatory processes that destroy neurons.

Asthma - inflammatory cytokines lead to an autoimmune reaction to the airway mucosa.

Autism - inflammatory processes lead to an autoimmune reaction, as a result of which the development of the right hemisphere of the brain is disturbed.

Depression - inflammatory processes affect the neural network, upset the balance of the production of neurotransmitters,

Eczema is a chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa and liver, which hinders detoxification processes.

Rheumatoid arthritis - inflammatory processes destroy the joints and synovial fluid.

Heart attack - chronic inflammatory processes lead to the development of atherosclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis - inflammatory cytokines destroy the myelin sheath of nerve endings.

This list can be continued and it turns out: if you want to get to the cause of the disease, look for the source of inflammatory processes and their root cause.

What makes inflammatory processes chronic

As the name implies, inflammation becomes chronic if the stimulus is internal or from environment, is always present. These chronic irritants that the immune system is forced to respond to every time it comes into contact are often allergens, latent infections, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle habits.

Food

Like all aspects of metabolism, inflammation in our bodies is regulated by the nutrients we eat.

Among the factors that stimulate inflammatory processes:

excess in the diet of sugar and equivalents, flour and refined products;
products from animals fed with non-species and low-quality feed (cows on grain, mold on feed);
numerous nutritional supplements, medicines in the case of animals, pesticides in the case of plants, toxic substances from packaging ( plastic bottles and tin cans, for example);
As a separate item, I want to highlight products to which you have an individual sensitivity or allergy. These can be nutritionally rich and excellent for most foods, such as eggs. But if your body has a reaction to this product, it means that every time they use it causes an inflammatory reaction, which in the long term risks becoming a chronic inflammatory process.

To balance inflammation, key nutrients are:

-Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids

Their ratio regulates the balance of inflammatory processes - that is, their beginning and end due to the short-acting hormones produced from them - prostaglandins.

The optimal ratio of these acids in the blood for health is 1:1 - 1:4 omega 3 to omega 6. At the same time, in people who adhere to a modern Western diet (rich in vegetable oils, industrial animal products, sugar, white bread), this ratio often reaches up to 1:25.

- Antioxidant nutrients

To protect against increased oxidative stress caused by inflammatory processes, we need antioxidant substances, among which vitamin C is especially famous. These also include vitamins A and E, the mineral. Substances of antioxidant action are also phytochemical elements found in plants. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals act in tandem, so it is very important to maintain an adequate status of all micronutrients.

-Quality protein

Our tissues are built from protein, and numerous metabolic substances are also made of protein - like hormones, enzymes, and so on. Under conditions of chronic stress, our need for materials to repair damaged tissues and produce numerous substances involved in the process is increased.

-Probiotics and prebiotics

Adequate amounts of fiber and the friendly bacteria found in fermented foods are essential for a healthy gut microflora. The gut microflora plays a very important role in regulating inflammation as well as maintaining a healthy immune system, 70% of which is located in the gut.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

An anti-inflammatory diet can be used to correct and prevent chronic diseases, including autoimmune ones. Like any therapeutic protocol, this diet varies according to individual characteristics and health conditions.

Its basis is nutritionally rich whole foods:

sources fatty acids omega 3 and high-quality, easily digestible protein: fatty wild fish, its caviar, chicken eggs on the range, pure animal products - offal and meat;
a regular large amount of green vegetables and greens with a high content of antioxidant substances and vitamin K, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
algae, as the richest source of minerals in a bioavailable form;
seeds;
starchy seasonal vegetables;
berries;
spices - ginger and;
fats - coconut oil, ghee and cold-pressed olive oil;
a separate therapeutic dish is a strong bone broth - due to the high content of bioavailable minerals and amino acids that restore the intestinal mucosa.

From the diet, all foods that can lead to an inflammatory reaction at the physiological level or contribute to its course are excluded. It:

Sugar and equivalents;

Industrial vegetable oils;

Processed products;

All cereals and their derivatives - sometimes with the exception of pseudo-cereals, like buckwheat, quinoa;

Peanuts (as a product with a high mold content);

Sweet dried fruits;

Many sweet fruits.

Exclude, at least for a while, everything that could potentially be allergic or sensitive:

Dairy;

Corn;

Citrus;

legumes;

Vegetables of the nightshade family - tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, potatoes.

Lifestyle and environment

Many aspects of our lives, like food at the physiological level, cause the synthesis of inflammatory signaling substances and support the course of inflammatory processes. If these aspects are a regular part of our lives, inflammatory processes become chronic. Among them:

Deficiency and poor quality of sleep.

Passive lifestyle.

chronic stress.

Lack of rest/recovery time.

Lack of adequate social support.

All these factors cause exactly the same inflammatory reaction in the body as a deep cut.

Unfortunately, the life of the average Westerner is hard to imagine without high levels of stress, sleep deprivation, and long hours of sitting at the workplace, which is why many experts call this lifestyle toxic.

In order to break out of the vicious circle, to make your life different, not to succumb to powerful mass pressure, to be in time everywhere and to be like everyone else, it is necessary conscious decision and serious effort.

Everything is very closely interconnected in our body, psychology and physiology are intertwined in their impact on our health, including the regulation of inflammatory processes.

Therefore, the only effective approach to overcoming chronic disease is not only to restore health, improve digestion and maintain adequate nutritional status, but also to abandon a toxic lifestyle that can negate all the benefits of nutrition.

Editorial opinion may not reflect the views of the author.
In case of health problems, do not self-medicate, consult a doctor.

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Inflammation of the appendages in women is an infectious pathology, while the process affects the ovaries or fallopian tubes, but not the uterus itself. The penetration of the pathogen into the body occurs in various ways.

The disease can proceed for a long time without symptoms, sometimes characterized by the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen and menstrual irregularities. Treatment is aimed at destroying the pathogen and restoring the function of the uterine appendages.

Causes

Why do women develop inflammation of the appendages, and what is it? In medicine, this disease is called salpingo-oophoritis. If the inflammation affects only the fallopian tubes, then salpingitis is diagnosed. An inflammatory process that affects only the ovaries is called oophoritis.

The development of the inflammatory process in the uterine appendages occurs under the influence of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. There are two types of disease:

specific adnexitis caused by diphtheria bacteria, tuberculosis bacillus, gonococci;
nonspecific salpingoophoritis caused by viruses, fungi, E. coli, streptococci, staphylococci, mycoplasmas, chlamydia and other microorganisms.

The penetration of infection into the uterine appendages can occur in the following ways:

ascending (pathogenic microbes from the vagina enter the uterus, bypassing the cervical canal, into the tubes, and then can enter the ovaries);
descending (there is already inflammation in the abdominal cavity, which gradually passes to healthy tissues);
hematogenous (microbes enter the fallopian tubes and ovaries with blood from other internal organs).

The likelihood of inflammation of the appendages increases with the action of provoking factors on the body:

hypothermia;
weakening of the immune system;
using a contraceptive method such as an intrauterine device;
unprotected sex;
childbirth or abortion.

can take three forms:

acute;
chronic;
latent (asymptomatic, or sluggish).

The disease can be diagnosed at any age. Both young girls who do not live sexually and older women who have gone through menopause turn to doctors for help.

Symptoms of inflammation of the appendages

In the case of the development of inflammation of the appendages in women, the presence of certain symptoms depends on certain factors:

pathogenicity of the ingested microorganism, its type;
from the course of the disease, whether it is an acute process, with pronounced symptoms, or chronic, with erased, barely noticeable symptoms;
the ability of the girl's body to resist microorganisms and fight the inflammatory process, from the state of the immune system.

For acute form women complain of the following symptoms:

tense abdomen in the lower sections;
, giving sometimes to the legs or lower back;
elevated body temperature (it can reach 39 degrees);
change in the menstrual cycle (the occurrence of sudden bleeding or delayed menstruation);
vaginal discharge that is different from normal (they may be greenish-purulent or yellowish, profuse or frothy).

An incompletely cured disease in the acute period can turn into chronic inflammation of the appendages, the symptoms of which depend on the period of remission or exacerbation. Every second woman with chronic adnexitis has the following pathological changes:

menstrual irregularities;
sexual dysfunction;
concomitant diseases of the urinary organs (,), etc.

During the period of exacerbation, all the symptoms characteristic of acute adnexitis resume.

Chronic adnexitis

Chronic adnexitis develops as a result of untimely or poor-quality treatment of the acute form of the disease, it occurs with periodic seasonal exacerbations. This form of inflammation of the appendages is characterized by the presence of dull, aching pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the vagina and lumbar region. Palpation of the abdomen determines moderate pain.

In connection with the structural and functional transformations in the ovaries (lack of ovulation, hypoestrogenism), chronic inflammation of the appendages in women is accompanied by menstrual irregularities, which is manifested by oligomenorrhea (scanty menstruation), polymenorrhea (abundant menstruation), algomenorrhea (painful menstruation). Also, patients may complain of a lack or decrease in sexual desire, the appearance of pain during intercourse.

Diagnostics

The above symptoms may be present in other diseases of the genital organs, therefore, only a gynecologist can make an accurate diagnosis after examining the patient, collecting an anamnesis, and the results of laboratory and instrumental studies:

Ultrasound of the uterus and appendages;
PCR diagnostics (vaginal smear), which allows to establish genital infections;
colposcopy (examination of the vagina and its walls);
bakposev;
tomography;
laparoscopy.

Signs of inflammation of the appendages can be determined by the results of a blood test. In inflammatory processes, the blood formula changes significantly,. In addition, during a gynecological examination at a gynecologist's appointment, a woman feels severe pain in the ovaries and uterus.

Effects

Any inflammation of the appendages is dangerous because the following complications are possible:

development into a chronic form;
infertility, as a result of the adhesive process, in which there is obstruction of the fallopian tubes and anovulation;
a fairly high risk of ectopic conception;
purulent complication (tubo-ovarian formation) - purulent fusion of the ovaries and tubes, followed by an abscess.

Prevention

Regularly visit the gynecologist, without resisting the examination on the chair, take smears.
Avoid hypothermia by dressing appropriately for the weather, changing after swimming, avoiding sitting on cold objects.
If abortion is necessary, do it early or with medication or mini-abortion (avoid curettage).
Treat teeth, intestines and other foci of chronic infection.
Use barrier methods of contraception.
Timely treat gynecological diseases.
Follow the rules of a healthy diet.
Follow the rules of intimate hygiene.
Avoid douching.
Avoid stress.

Thus, inflammation of the appendages is a serious disease that requires timely treatment, which involves strict adherence to medical prescriptions.

Treatment of inflammation of the appendages

When diagnosing inflammation of the appendages, treatment in women should be comprehensive: a combination of medications with physiotherapy, gynecological massage, osteopathy, and physiotherapy.

The main point in the treatment of inflammation are antibiotics. They are selected with a wide spectrum of action and a maximum half-life. In addition, the woman herself needs to monitor her lifestyle ( proper nutrition, abstinence from sexual activity, physical education, you should give up smoking and alcohol).

The disease cannot be started, since the inflammatory process soon passes into the chronic stage, which leads to infertility.

Antibiotics for inflammation of the appendages

Antibiotics for inflammation of the appendages is the first and main condition that must be met for a favorable outcome of the disease. How to treat inflammation of the appendages, the dosage and number of doses for each particular woman is determined by a specialist, however, we will give you the most commonly prescribed pairs of medicines:

Nitroimidazole derivatives (for example, Metronidazole) to eliminate anaerobic flora that can live in an anoxic environment, such as gonococci (causative agents of gonorrhea);
Inhibitor-protected penicillins (Amoxiclav), 3rd generation cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone), macrolides (Erythromycin), etc., which affect the aerobic (living in an oxygen environment) flora;
Antifungal drugs (eg Diflucan, Nystatin).

The first three to four days before the condition normalizes, all these drugs are administered as injections. Then you can switch to tablet forms and reduce the dose.

Concomitant treatment

In addition to the appointment of antibacterial drugs, detoxification therapy is carried out (intravenous infusions of saline solutions, glucose, hemodez, rheopolyglucin and others in a volume of 2-3 liters).

Relief of pain, and reduction of the inflammatory process is carried out with the help in the form of tablets. These are Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketarol and other drugs. Be sure to prescribe vitamins C and B, as well as allergy pills.

When removing an acute process and in the treatment of chronic inflammation of the appendages without exacerbation, physiotherapy is widely used: electrophoresis of copper and zinc in the phases of the menstrual cycle, electrophoresis with lidase or iodine, ultrasound, high-frequency pulsed currents (SMT, DDT). Also in the rehabilitation treatment, immunomodulators, autohemotherapy, injections of aloe, FIBS, Longidase and so on are used. In chronic adnexitis, spa treatment is indicated - mud, paraffin, therapeutic baths and douching.

Candles for inflammation of the appendages

To reduce signs such as inflammation, pain, swelling, and temperature, special suppositories are used that can relieve inflammation. They can also prescribe such suppositories that are able to strengthen the immune system, and this is very important for any illness. Also, these drugs cleanse the body of harmful substances.

All candles are prescribed by a doctor, but in any case, such treatment will be additional.

Folk remedies

At home, you can use some folk recipes:

Take 4 teaspoons of finely chopped buckthorn roots, Chernobyl and peony, add 3 teaspoons of burnet roots and elecampane. After that, pour 2 tablespoons of the resulting mixture with half a liter of boiling water. Boil for half an hour on low heat, and then let cool for half an hour. After strain and you can add a little honey for taste. Take the drug should be half a cup 3-4 times a day.
One tablespoon chopped dry grass boron uterus pour a glass of boiling water. Insist 2 hours. Strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 1 month. After a monthly course of treatment of adnexitis with a pine forest uterus, it is advisable to drink another infusion for 2 months - from the field yarutka grass. 1 st. l. herbs pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 4 hours, strain. Drink 1 tsp. 30 minutes before meals 4 times a day.
Buldenezh should be collected at the very beginning of flowering (until insects have started in them). Tincture of them has excellent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. A liter jar is filled with inflorescence balls, filled with vodka and sent for 15 days to a dark, cool place. The lower abdomen is rubbed with this tincture, and the inflorescences are applied in the form of compresses.
Take flowers of coltsfoot, sweet clover, centaury in equal proportions. Mix, pre-grinding, pour boiling water, let it brew for an hour, then strain the broth through gauze and drink half a glass twice a day. During treatment, abstinence from sexual intercourse is recommended.

remember, that folk remedies are only an addition, and in no way can replace drug therapy prescribed by a specialist.

Few of us have never had a cold in our lives, have not suffered from a runny nose, and have not received abrasions and scratches. All these, one might say, harmless health troubles, not to mention more serious ailments, such as pneumonia or gastritis, are associated with a pathological process in organs or tissues, the name of which is inflammation. He, like any disease, has different stages - from the initial, easiest and quickly treatable, to the last, most severe and irreversible. How does inflammation occur? What is happening in our body at this moment? How to treat inflammation? What are the forecasts and what are the consequences? We will try to answer each of the questions clearly and in detail.

The essence of inflammation

There are thousands of diseases in the world. All of them are either caused by inflammatory processes in human organs, or they cause inflammation. The stages of the latter with different ailments can change, the causes of occurrence can differ, the signs do not match, but the result without proper treatment is almost always about the same - irreversible changes in health, and sometimes death. However, inflammation also has a good side. It occurs in the body to protect it. This function has been formed for millions of years, throughout the evolution of man. That is, inflammation is such a pathological process that develops with any damage in order to eliminate the irritant and restore tissues. Inflammation can be called a trigger button that turns on the protective actions of the body and at the same time a barrier that does not allow negative processes to leave the inflamed focus. It accumulates toxins that can cause intoxication. During inflammation, specific particles are produced - these toxins are destructive. And another useful function of inflammation is that it produces antibodies and strengthens the immune system.

There are also negatives, and a lot of them. Such processes can lead to a breakdown and endanger human life.

Classification

Not only by the place of localization (throat, stomach, lungs, and so on), but also by many other signs, doctors classify inflammation. His stages are as follows:

alteration;
exudation;
proliferation.

According to the form of the course of inflammation are:

acute (lasting from several minutes to several hours);
subacute (the course period is calculated in days and weeks);
chronic (appear in cases where acute or subacute forms are not cured, last for years, sometimes for life).

In whatever form the inflammatory process is diagnosed, the causes of its occurrence are as follows:

infectious (viruses, bacteria);
toxic (exposure to harmful chemicals);
autoimmune (production by the body of unnecessary antibodies or aggressive cells);
purulent-septic;
traumatic;
paraneoplastic (develops mainly with cancer);
post-traumatic;
physical (for example, temperature effects that are unfavorable for the body).

The reasons why inflammation occurred, the stages and forms of its course are the main characteristics by which doctors classify the disease. So, pneumonia is an infectious inflammation of the tissues of the lungs, which can be acute and at the same time exudative. Let's take a closer look at the obscure terms.

How does the inflammatory process develop?

The start for anyone is such changes in the structure of cells, and with them the organs as a whole, in which their normal functioning is disrupted. This determines the signs of inflammation. In the cell, under the influence of an unfavorable factor, changes in the cytoplasm, membrane, and nucleus begin very quickly. This process activates the production of so-called mediators - special biological chemicals that activate biochemical reactions, that is, give birth to mediators include histamine, bradykinin, serotonin and many other specific agents. All of them are responsible for different signs of inflammation. Thus, histamine leads to vasodilation and an increase in the permeability of their walls. Bradykinin and kallidin are involved in the occurrence of pain. In the area where the vessels are dilated, the initial sign of inflammation appears - redness. Because dilated blood vessels total area the cross section increases, the volumetric velocity of blood flow in them increases, and the linear velocity decreases. This causes the second sign of inflammation - a jump in temperature.

In the future, each link in the chain reaction is characterized by a more severe manifestation. A drop in linear velocity activates the production of red blood cells, which further slow down blood flow. This increases thrombus formation, in which the vessels can overlap completely. There is a so-called stasis, which is the cause of tissue necrosis. After stagnation of blood in the capillaries, stagnation begins in the venules. This leads to the accumulation of exudate in the tissues. The next sign of inflammation appears - a swelling, and then another sign - pain.

Leukocytes, salts, proteins begin to seep through the thinned walls of the vessels (exudation occurs). In this case, leukocytes move towards the factor that caused inflammation, since their main role is phagocytosis. Later, in the inflammatory infiltrate (the place where biological elements that are uncharacteristic for it accumulate), some of the cells die, the other transforms, turning, for example, into macrophages.

To summarize, the following common symptoms of inflammation can be distinguished:

redness;
an increase in temperature either in the inflamed area or in the body as a whole;
swelling;
soreness.

In addition, to general symptoms relate:

development of leukocytosis;
increase in blood ESR;
a change in immunological reactivity (the body's response to the introduction and action of an inflammatory factor);
signs of intoxication.

But each disease has its own specific symptoms. So, with pneumonia it is a cough, with gastritis, nausea, sometimes vomiting, belching, heartburn, with cystitis, and so on.

alteration stage

The term "alternative inflammation" in modern medicine is almost never found, but still exists in veterinary medicine. It means pathological changes in some organs (kidneys, heart, liver, spinal cord and brain), in which necrotic and in tissues (in the parenchyma) are fixed without exudation and proliferation. Alternative inflammation occurs most often in an acute form and can lead to complete destruction of the organ.

Alteration is divided into two subspecies - primary and secondary.

Primary in its essence is the result of the introduction of a source of inflammation into the body. Secondary is the body's response to damage caused by an inflammatory agent. In practice, both of them have no clear boundaries.

Diseases caused by such inflammation include typhoid fever, myocarditis, dysentery, and others. Now most physicians call alternative inflammation necrosis.

Exudation stage

Exudative inflammation is such a stage of the pathological process, in which there is an exit from the capillaries and other small vessels into the cavity or into the tissues of the body of various fluids (exudate). Depending on what exactly comes out, the following types of inflammatory processes are distinguished:

serous;
fibrous;
purulent;
putrefactive;
catarrhal;
hemorrhagic;
mixed.

Let's analyze each of them.

Serous

Another name for the disease is serous exudative inflammation. This is such a pathological process in which at least 2% and no more than 8% of blood serum protein is detected in the exudate, but there are literally a few leukocytes. It occurs in mucous membranes and in serous thin, smooth and elastic membranes (for example, in the peritoneum, pleura, pericardium). Inflamed membranes become dense, cloudy and rough. Symptoms of inflammation are not pronounced. The patient may experience a slight temperature and mild pain. Causes of this pathology:

chemicals (intoxication, poisoning);
physical impact (injuries, including burns and frostbite, bites of some insects);
microorganisms (Koch's sticks, herpes, meningococcus);
allergy.

Serous inflammations are either acute or chronic.

Fibrous

This type of inflammation is characterized by the fact that the exudate contains leukocytes, monocytes, macrophages, dead cells and fibrin convolutions, a blood plasma protein that forms the basis of blood clots. In the inflamed zone, tissues die off and a large number of platelets are formed, a thin fibrous film is formed, under which microbes actively begin to multiply. Fibrous inflammation can be croupous and diphtheritic. With croupous film is formed on the mucous membranes of the trachea, peritoneum, alveoli, bronchi. It does not grow into the tissue, so it can be easily removed without leaving wounds. With diphtheria, a film is formed on the mucous membranes of the intestines, esophagus, and stomach. It turns out to be dense, as if fused with the layers located under it, therefore, when it is removed, the wounds remain. "Inflammation in a feminine way" - this is sometimes called a similar process in the uterus. It can occur for various reasons - infections (gonorrhea, syphilis), hypothermia, mechanical damage (abortion, childbirth), poor hygiene. In all cases, with an acute form, there are pains in the genitals or in the lower abdomen, vaginal discharge, fever. This can lead to kidney, heart, endocrine system. Inflammation in a feminine way, which is chronic, can occur without any noticeable symptoms, but leads to adhesions of the fallopian tubes, infertility. This form develops if a woman does not cure an acute disease to the end, as well as with certain types of infection (for example, gonococci), which occur almost asymptomatically in the initial stages.

Purulent and putrid

If pus is present in the exudate - a specific substance, including purulent serum, tissue detritus, neutrophilic leukocytes, eosonophils - inflammation is accompanied by purulent processes. They are caused by various microorganisms, such as gonococci, staphylococci and others. Forms of purulent inflammation:

abscess (suppuration);
phlegmon;
empyema.

An abscess occurs either as an independent inflammatory process, or as a complication of a previous disease. This forms a barrier capsule that prevents the spread of pathogens into neighboring tissues.

Phlegmon differs from an abscess in that it does not have clearly defined boundaries. There are a lot of types of phlegmon. This is subcutaneous, and intermuscular, and retroperitoneal, and perirenal, and many others. If the phlegmon passes to neighboring tissue areas, sepsis may begin.

Empyema is somewhat similar to an abscess, but there is a significant accumulation of pus in the body cavity, and there is no protective membrane.

Putrid inflammation develops from purulent if putrefactive microflora enters the focus. In this case, tissue necrosis occurs, causing intoxication of the patient's body and characterized by a putrid odor. This type of inflammation is possible with extensive wounds, for example, during military operations, and in women with unskilled abortions. How to treat inflammation in such a severe form? Only therapy with properly selected antibiotics in conjunction with surgery can make the prognosis favorable.

Hemorrhagic

This type of pathology is a continuation of the above inflammatory processes and develops if the permeability of the walls of blood vessels increases, up to a violation of their integrity. At the same time, a large number of red blood cells enter the inflamed place, making the exudate dark red, almost black in color, and if the inflammation affects the digestive tract, then their contents become chocolate-colored. Hemorrhagic inflammation is caused by bacteria, viruses, sometimes fungi, some chemicals and toxins. It is observed in diseases such as smallpox, plague, anthrax.

catarrhal

This process is not independent, because it is formed when mucus is added to an existing exudate. Caused by the following reasons:

infection (viruses, bacteria);
high or low temperatures (burn, frostbite);
chemical substances;
products of improper metabolism.

Examples include allergic rhinitis (hay fever, or, popularly, the well-known runny nose), bronchitis, which has turned into a purulent-catarrhal form, in which the bronchi and trachea are inflamed. Is it possible and how to remove the inflammation of this form at home? Traditional medicine advises the use of aromatherapy (breathe with oils of fir, geranium, eucalyptus and others). With catarrhal sinusitis, remove mucus from the nose, do washing with solutions of salt, herbs or plain water, instill vasoconstrictors into the nose. With catarrhal sore throat, gargle, drink plenty of warm liquids, do breathing exercises, take expectorants and antitussives. For any localization of catarrhal inflammation, drug antiviral therapy is carried out, but antibiotics are used only as directed by a doctor and only if there are complications, for example, with the development of purulent inflammation.

Proliferative inflammation

This form is observed in all types of inflammation, and it is most active in the final stages of the disease. The term "proliferation" can be explained as follows: it is a neoplasm, the birth of cells and entire cellular structures. Basically, this happens during the recovery of an organ or tissue after inflammation, when mesenchymal cells produce fibroblasts, which, in turn, synthesize collagen, which often ends in scarring. Types of proliferative inflammation are as follows:

Acute inflammatory process develops rapidly. It is characterized by the symptoms indicated above, namely: redness of the affected area, fever, swelling, pain, exudate formation, impaired blood circulation in capillaries and venules. Chronic inflammation is characterized by the fact that in this form, active macrophages begin to accumulate in one place. The pathological process is caused by such reasons:

Acute inflammation, for all its severity, ends quickly (unless it comes to purulent abscesses), while chronic inflammation torments a person for years. It cannot end quickly for the following reasons:

macrophages, which are the trigger mechanism for inflammation, live a very long time;
while macrophages are alive and active, resorption of granulomas is impossible.

Chronic inflammation in the stage of remission of the patient practically does not bother and is activated (the stage of exacerbation sets in) when fresh highly active macrophages are added to the inflammatory focus.

Which inflammation is more dangerous: acute or chronic

For all their seeming harmlessness, chronic inflammation is the most dangerous. For example, inflammation of the ligaments of the extremities leads to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, arthritis, and others. The acute form of all these ailments is manifested by pain, redness of the body area around the focus of inflammation, fever. In the transition to a chronic form, pain occurs only under the influence of some external factors, for example, weather conditions, high physical exertion or mechanical stress. However, the chronic form is dangerous due to irreversible deformations of the ligaments, cartilage, joints, involvement in the process of neighboring sectors of the musculoskeletal system (for example, with rheumatoid arthritis, cervical region spine), complete destruction of the joint and degenerative change in the ligaments, which leads to disability. Inflammation of the ligaments of the limbs can be caused by multiple causes, including:

trauma;
increased physical activity;
infections;
metabolic disease.

Inflammation of the ligaments of the throat is caused by the penetration of infection into the upper respiratory tract, smoking, hypothermia, inhalation of harmful gases, and a strong cry.

The acute form is manifested by sore throat when talking and swallowing, redness, fever, tickling, hoarseness, but with proper treatment, the disease passes quickly and without a trace. If the acute form becomes chronic, the patient develops shortness of breath, the larynx swells, and chronic catarrhal inflammation can lead to atrophy of the mucous membrane.

How to relieve inflammation

If the body is strong enough and able to withstand the inflammatory factor, or this factor is short-term and weak (for example, a scratch goes away on its own in a couple of days. You can only slightly help this process by disinfecting the injury site. At home, the treatment of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat and oral cavity (along with drug therapy) is carried out with the help of decoctions of chamomile, celandine, calendula. Rinsing with a solution of soda with the addition of a couple of drops of iodine helps well.

In chronic forms of inflammation, supportive therapy is indicated, which consists in creating satisfactory conditions for the patient, a diet rich in vitamins, and eliminating irritating factors dangerous to health (fatigue, hypothermia, stress, etc.). During periods of exacerbation, medical and physiotherapeutic treatment is carried out.

Inflammation It's an attempt at self-defense. Its purpose is to remove negative factors, including pathogenic cells and irritants, and start the healing process.

When something harmful or irritating enters the body, it happens. Signs and symptoms show that the body is trying to heal itself.

Inflammation does not mean infection, even if infection is the cause. Infection is caused by, or, while inflammation is the body's response to them.

Quick Facts About Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's attempt at self-defense, eliminating harmful stimuli and starting the regeneration process.
The process is part of the body's immune response.
The first stage of inflammation is often referred to as irritation, which then becomes inflammation.
The process is accompanied by suppuration (excretion of pus). Then comes the granulation stage, the formation of tiny, round masses of tissue in the wounds during healing.
Acute process - begins quickly and very soon becomes serious.
Chronic inflammation is long-term inflammation that can last for months or even years.
Infections, wounds and any tissue damage would never heal without inflammation - the tissue would become more and more damaged and the body (or any organism) would eventually die.
The chronic process leads to a number of diseases and conditions, including certain types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, periodontitis, and fever.
Although scientists know that inflammation plays a key role in heart disease and several other diseases, the immediate cause of inflammation remains a mystery.
It should be remembered that inflammation is part of the healing process. Therefore, it is not always necessary to stop it.

What is inflammation?

is part of the body's defense response. This is initially useful when, for example, your knee is getting hit and the tissues need care and protection.

However, in some cases the inflammation may progress to become self-perpetuating, resulting in a more severe reaction.

Inflammation Helps Wound Healing

Our immediate response to - . Given that inflammation is an integral part of the body's attempt to heal itself, patients and clinicians need to be confident that treatment to reduce swelling is absolutely necessary and should not undermine or slow down the healing process.

The first stage of inflammation is often called irritation, which then becomes inflammation- direct healing process. Inflammation is accompanied suppuration(discharge of pus). Then comes the stage granulation, the formation in wounds of tiny rounded masses of tissue during healing. Inflammation is part of a complex biological response to noxious stimuli. Without inflammation, infections and wounds would never heal.

Neuroscientists at the Lerner Research Institute at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio have found that inflammation does help heal damaged muscle tissue. They are researching how athletes with inflammation are treated - medical professionals are always trying to control inflammation to encourage healing.

The researchers say their findings could lead to new treatments for acute muscle injuries caused by freeze damage, drugs, chemicals and trauma.

Inflammation is part of innate immunity

innate immunity is something that is naturally present in the body from birth, and not adaptive immunity, which we get after or. Innate immunity is usually non-specific, while adaptive immunity is specific to a single pathogen:

Pertussis vaccine - an example of immunity specific to a single pathogen

After vaccination against we develop immunity to Bordetella pertussis or , the types of bacteria that cause whooping cough.

This is an example of adaptive immunity - after all, there was no immunity before the vaccine was received. The process is the mechanism of innate immunity.

What is the difference between chronic and acute inflammation?

Acute inflammation- starts suddenly and becomes severe in a short period of time. Symptoms last for several days, in rare cases - up to several weeks.

Bronchi;
Skin cuts;
Appendix;
Leather;
palatine tonsils;
Meninges;
Frontal sinuses.

chronic inflammation It's a process that can take months or even years.

Impossibility to eliminate damaging factors;
A protective response to the antigen itself - the immune system infects its own cells, mistaking them for negative pathogens;
Weak damaging factor.

Bronchial asthma;
Chronic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
Periodontitis;
Colon ulcer and Crohn's disease;
Sinusitis;
Hepatitis.

Infections and any tissue injury would never heal without inflammatory changes - the tissue would become more and more damaged and the organism would eventually die.

However, chronic inflammation can eventually lead to a number of diseases and conditions, including some types, and.

What happens in acute inflammation?

A few seconds or minutes after tissue starts. The damage may be physical, or it may be caused by an immune response.

Arterioles, small branches of arteries that lead to capillaries, dilate, resulting in increased blood flow.
The capillaries become more permeable so that plasma and blood proteins can move into the spaces between cells.
Neutrophils and possibly some macrophages migrate out of capillaries and venules (small veins that run from capillaries to veins) and move into the spaces between. The neutrophil is a type of granulocyte (leukocyte) filled with tiny sacs that contain enzymes that digest microorganisms. Macrophages are also white blood cells that engulf foreign material.

are the first line of defense human body. They are the main cells that protect us from. Their protective function is positive, however, they also possess, which can eventually lead to various things, such as. Effective manipulation of neutrophils is vital in the fight against inflammatory diseases.

When the skin is scratched, a pale red line can be seen. Soon the area around this scratch will turn red, this is due to the fact that the capillaries have expanded and filled with blood and become more permeable, allowing fluids and blood proteins to move into the space between the tissues.

Edema The area then swells as additional fluid builds up in the interstitium.

Pain - the area of injury becomes painful, especially when touched. Chemicals that irritate nerve receptors are released, resulting in pain.
Redness - due to increased blood supply, dilated capillaries and arterioles.
Immobility - there may be loss of function.
Swelling - caused by the accumulation of fluid.
Heat.

Comparison of acute and chronic inflammation

The following lists show the difference between chronic and acute inflammation in relation to pathogens, which include the main cells:

Miscellaneous pathogens - non-degradable pathogens that cause persistent inflammation, infection with certain types of viruses, persistent foreign bodies, overactive immune system responses;
The main cells involved are macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells (these three are mononuclear cells), and fibroblasts;
Primary mediators - reactive oxygen species, hydrolytic enzymes, IFN- and other cytokines, growth factors;
Duration - from several months to several years;
Outcomes - destruction of tissue, thickening and scarring of connective tissue (fibrosis), death of cells or tissues (necrosis).

Why does inflammation cause pain?

Pain- this is a very subjective sign, and the only person who can describe it correctly is the one who feels it.

Pain may or may not It can also be:

nociceptive pain

Specific ones are stimulated to make us feel this type of pain. These receptors sense changes that lead to cell damage. " Nociceptive" means causing or reacting to pain - the cause of pain comes from outside the nervous system, and the nervous system reacts to it.

Somatic pain

This is a type of nociceptive pain. Feels in and on. is. Pain receptors are sensitive to: stretching in the muscles, vibration, temperature, and inflammation. When present, it can be painful.

Somatic pain is sharp and localized - touching or moving the affected area will result in more intense pain.

Visceral pain

This is a type of nociceptive pain. The pain is felt deep in the body, in, such as, and. Nociceptors (pain receptors) sense oxygen starvation ( ischemia), stretching and inflammation. The pain can be described as deep. and are examples of visceral pain.

Inflammation mainly causes pain because the swelling interferes with sensitive nerve endings that send pain signals to the brain. Nerve endings send pain signals to the brain all day long. However, the brain learns to ignore most of them unless the pressure on the nerve endings increases.

During inflammation, other biochemical processes also occur that affect the state of the nerve fibers, causing pain.

The risk of inflammation is much higher if you are obese

Fat men have more inflammatory markers () than men of the same age who are not obese or overweight.

Elevated levels of white blood cells- markers that are associated with an increased risk of developing various diseases, including.

In a recent study, a team at the Pennington Center for Biomedical Research in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, focused on specific types of white blood cells; Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils.

They measured adult male resting white blood cell levels, as well as their fitness levels and BMIs (body mass indexes), and adjusted the results for age.

Unhealthy men had higher levels of white blood cells than healthy men.
In men with a higher BMI, the level of leukocytes is increased.
The combination of fitness levels and body weight significantly affected white blood cell levels and ultimately inflammation.

Although scientists know that inflammation plays a key role in heart disease and several other diseases, the immediate cause of inflammation remains a mystery.

Inflammation decreases when women lose weight - scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington found that overweight or obese postmenopausal women who lost 5% or more of their body weight experienced marked drops in levels of inflammatory markers .

Team leader Anne McTiernan, Ph.D., said: "Both obesity and inflammation have been shown to be associated with several types of cancer, and this study shows that if you lose weight, you can also reduce inflammation."

Autoimmune disorders and inflammation

autoimmune reaction, also known as autoimmune disease, is a disease in which the body initiates an immune response against healthy tissues, mistaking them for harmful pathogens or irritants. The immune response also causes an inflammatory response.

Rheumatoid arthritis- inflammation of the joints, tissues surrounding the joints, and sometimes some other organs in the body;
Ankylosing spondylitis- there is inflammation of the vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, as well as sacroiliac joints;
celiac disease- inflammation and destruction of the inner lining of the small intestine;
Crohn's disease- the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. Inflammation is most common in the small intestine and anywhere in the tract;
fibromyalgia- often a set of symptoms associated with an autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Pain in various parts of the body. The location and presence of the process is unclear;
Graves syndrome- sign of goiter. The thyroid gland becomes inflamed. Exophthalmos. Grave's dermopathy, inflammation of the skin, usually of the lower legs and thighs;
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis The role of inflammation is unclear. Experts used to think that the disease is mainly caused by inflammation in the alveoli (tiny sacs in the lungs). However, treatment to reduce inflammation is often disappointing. Therefore, although there is inflammation, its effect on disease is a mystery;
Systemic lupus erythematosus- Inflammation may occur in the joints, lungs, heart, kidneys and skin;
Psoriasis- inflammation of the skin. In some cases, as in psoriatic arthritis, the joints and tissue surrounding the joints may also become inflamed;
Type 1 diabetes- inflammation in various parts of the body, likely if diabetes is poorly controlled;
Addison's disease- inflammation of the adrenal glands. The stress on the body caused by this disease can also lead to inflammation elsewhere;
Vasculitis- refers to a group of diseases in which inflammation eventually destroys blood vessels, both arteries and veins;
transplant rejection- There is already significant inflammation caused by the graft operation. If the organ recipient's immune system rejects the new organ, inflammation usually occurs in and around the donor organ;
Various allergies All allergies cause inflammation. In asthma, the airways become inflamed; in hay fever, the mucous membranes of the nose, ear, and throat become inflamed; people who are allergic to bee stings can have severe, life-threatening inflammation that affects the entire body (anaphylaxis);
Vitamin A deficiency- Inflammatory reactions are much more likely if a person is deficient in vitamin A.

The disorders mentioned above are just a tiny example of the hundreds of autoimmune disorders in which inflammation is one of their hallmarks.

Treatment of inflammation

As mentioned earlier in this article, patients (and many healthcare professionals) need to remember that inflammation is part of the healing process. Sometimes reducing inflammation is necessary, but not always.

Anti-inflammatory drugs

NSAIDs(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are taken to relieve pain caused by inflammation. They oppose COX(cyclooxygenase) an enzyme that synthesizes prostaglandins and creates inflammation. If prostaglandin synthesis can be blocked, pain is either eliminated or reduced. Examples of NSAIDs include, and.

People should not use NSAIDs for a long time without being under medical supervision because there are risks and life threatening. NSAIDs can also worsen symptoms and cause. Drugs, with the exception of aspirin, can also increase the risk of and ().

Acetaminophen(paracetamol, tylenol) may reduce pain associated with inflammatory conditions but has no anti-inflammatory effects. These drugs may be ideal for those who only want to treat the pain while letting the inflammation take its course.

Corticosteroids is a class of steroid hormones naturally produced in the cortex (outer part) of the adrenal glands. They are synthesized in laboratories and added to drugs.

Corticosteroids such as are anti-inflammatory. They prevent the release of phospholipids, which undermines the action of eosinophils and several other mechanisms involved in inflammation.

Glucocorticoids, which are produced as a response to stress, and are also involved in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Synthetic glucocorticoids are prescribed for joint inflammation (arthritis), inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, asthma, allergic reactions, and sarcoidosis. Creams and ointments may be prescribed for inflammation of the skin, eyes, lungs, intestines, and nose.
Mineralocorticoids that regulate the balance of salt and water. Medicines with mineral corticoids are used to treat meningitis and to replace the missing aldosterone (hormone) in patients with adrenal insufficiency.

more likely if taken than with inhalers or injections. The higher the dose and/or the longer they are taken, the greater the risk side effects. The severity of side effects is also related to the dosage and duration of treatment. Patients taking oral corticosteroids for more than three months are significantly more likely to experience unwanted side effects.

Inhaled drugs, such as long-term medications, increase the risk of developing - rinsing your mouth with water after each use can help prevent thrush.

Glucocorticoids can also call, while mineralocorticoids can call (), (), (), and.

Herbs with anti-inflammatory properties

Harpagophytum- also known as devil's claw, originally from South Africa and refers to sesame plants. The European colonists used the devil's claw to heal, and. Devil's claw has diuretic, sedative and analgesic properties.

Hyssop officinalis- added to cologne and Chartreuse (liquor). It is also used to color some drinks. Hyssop is mixed with other herbs to treat certain lung conditions, including inflammation. beware essential oils hyssop, as they can lead to life-threatening seizures in laboratory animals.

Ginger, also known as ginger root- used as medicine or spice. Jamaican ginger was the traditional medicinal form of this root and was used as a carminative and stimulant. It has been used for hundreds of years to treat other gastrointestinal problems as well as pain. Ginger supplements reduce markers of colon inflammation. Chronic inflammation of the colon is associated with a higher chance of developing it. Ginger supplements help reduce the chance of neoplasms.

Also a plant of the ginger family. Current research is looking at the possible beneficial effects of turmeric in treating some other inflammatory conditions. Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, is being researched to treat a number of diseases and disorders, including inflammation.

cannabis- contains a cannabinoid called cannabichromene, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Other Treatments for Inflammation

Ice application- do not place the ice in direct contact with the skin, wrap it in a cloth or an ice bag. Ice application has been shown to reduce inflammation. Athletes commonly use ice therapy to treat pain and inflammation. Inflammation may decrease more quickly if you rest, apply ice, and squeeze and lift the affected area (for example, if there is swelling).

(Omega 3) - Daily consumption of fish reduces both inflammation and anxiety.

Green tea- Regular consumption of green tea improves bone health and reduces inflammation in postmenopausal women.

Instruction

There are 2 types of inflammation: chronic and acute. An acute process develops as a result of the body's reaction to irritation, injury, infection or an allergen. chronic inflammation contributes to the increased load on certain organs, aging of the body, general overload. Inflammation is manifested by pain, fever. The process proceeds in 3 stages. On the 1st, a reaction develops in response to damage. At the same time, adjacent blood vessels expand, and blood flow to the affected area increases. Together with the blood, nutrients and cells of the immune system enter the site of inflammation.

At the 2nd stage, phagocyte cells fight pathogenic microorganisms. They secrete special substances that destroy pathogenic flora, and also produce antioxidants necessary to protect against possible damage by free radicals. In this case, damaged and dead cells of the body are removed. At the 3rd stage, the focus of inflammation is separated from the surrounding tissues. At the same time, mast cells release histamine, which increases the permeability of blood vessels. As a result, the damaged area is cleared of toxins and toxins.

The most noticeable manifestation of the inflammatory process is fever. A rise in temperature occurs when the immune system acts at its limit in response to inflammation. The following symptoms appear: rapid pulse, rapid breathing, increased sweating. At high temperature in the body there is a cascade of reactions aimed at eliminating the causes of its occurrence. This symptom can last up to 3 days. During this period, the body fights infectious pathogens. Elevated temperature leads to the fact that the ability to reproduce bacteria drops sharply, and the number of protective phagocyte cells increases. As a result, they eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.

An increase in temperature is considered an alarming symptom, and the patient does not experience the most pleasant sensations. However, taking antipyretics is still not recommended, as this leads to an interruption of the natural process of fighting infection. In this case, the disease acquires a protracted course and often recurs. Undesirable preparations at temperatures up to 38.5 ° C. The relief of the condition is facilitated by an increase in the amount of fluid consumed, the intake of vitamin C. With a sharp rise in temperature, you should immediately call a doctor.