ACUTE INFLAMMATION

When the immune system identifies a threat to the body, the immune system responds by sending pro-inflammatory compounds to prep the area, attack the threat, clean up any debris, and stimulate healing. During this response the area becomes sore, swollen, red, and hot. These are known as the four cardinal signs of inflammation. After the pro-inflammatory compounds have done their job, the immune system will release anti-inflammatory compounds to put a stop to the pro-inflammatory compounds. Referred to as ‘acute Inflammation’, this is how a healthy, normal immune system is supposed to behave.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Unfortunately, our immune systems do not always act healthy or normal. Sometimes the immune system fails to stop the pro-inflammatory compounds when they’re supposed to and/or continues to release them, even if the threat is eliminated. Excess pro-inflammatory compounds can easily enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body, causing damage to whatever healthy tissue they encounter. Called “chronic inflammation” this out of control behavior is believed to be the result of an unbalanced immune system. Unlike the quick actions of acute inflammation, chronic inflammation is slow, long-term inflammation.

Chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases and disorders, especially autoimmune disorders, like Multiple Sclerosis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

INFLAMMATION TRIGGERS

Inflammation can triggered by more than just infection and disease. The following list covers the basics.

• MEDICAL ISSUES
• IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS
• INFLAMMATORY FOODS
• POOR HYGIENE
• STRESS
• HEAT
• SMOKING

MY EXPERIENCE WITH INFLAMMATION

Before Multiple Sclerosis (MS), inflammation was just a normal part of life, just like everyone else. When I became a woman with MS and discovered that inflammation can cause MS relapses, with relapses being the worsening of current or creation of new MS symptoms, everything changed.

Managing inflammation, in order to manage my MS, became a full-time job. Over time, I discovered the items, specific to me, that trigger inflammation (ie. inflammation triggers). And I discovered items that can help me effectively counter those inflammation triggers (ie. solutions). Not only did these discoveries helped me figure out not only how to manage my MS, but also stop it’s progression.

-Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy

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REFERENCES

Freire, M.O. & Van Dyke, T. E. (2013). Natural Resolution of Inflammation. Periodontology 2000, 63: 149-164.

Gusev, E., & Zhuravleva, Y. (2022). Inflammation: A New Look at an Old Problem. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(9), 4596.

Hamidzadeh, K., Christensen, S. M, Dalby, E., Chandrasekaran, P., and Mosser D. M. (2016). Macrophages and the Recovery from Acute and Chronic Inflammation. Annual Review of Physiology 79:567-592. doi: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-022516-034348.

Harvard Health (2018). Understanding Inflammation: A Harvard Medical School Guide.

Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I. Chronic Inflammation. [Updated 2023 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.

Punchard, N. A., Whelan, C. J., & Adcock, I. (2004). The Journal of Inflammation. Journal of inflammation (London, England), 1(1), 1.

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Not in Kansas Anymore (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy (pwrchr-dorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s experiences.

The author of this site/blog is not a medical physician and this site/blog does not provide medical advice. This site/blog contains information that should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. If you choose to apply or implement any information posted at this site/blog, you do so at your own risk.