Pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function are the five cardinal symptoms of inflammation. You may experience one or more of these symptoms in response to infection or injury, or you could suffer from inflammation with no discernible evidence. Either way, inflammation-related conditions as a result of chronic inflammation affect approximately 43 million American citizens (1). While inflammation is a necessary bodily response, chronic inflammation can be a particular concern for those that do not treat it as it can lead to arthritis and joint disease, to name a few harmful health conditions (2).
Individuals should be aware of the two main types of inflammation, understand more about the five cardinal signs of inflammation, and know of multiple ways to treat inflammation. This article shares all of this pertinent information to help you maintain your peak physical health.
The Two Types of Inflammation
Understanding the difference between the two primary types of inflammation is critical to offset the chances of developing chronic inflammation, the more serious and harmful variation of the two. Below, we discuss the key characteristics of the two main types of inflammation.
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation refers to the potentially harmful process whereby the body continues to dispatch inflammatory cells long after internal threats have been neutralized (3). In some cases, chronic inflammation can cause the body to continue attacking body tissue to the point that severe damage occurs.
Acute Inflammation
Acute inflammation is a natural bodily response to internal threats whereby inflammatory cells are sent to affected areas to fight infection or injury (4). This process triggers the healing process and is regarded as non-harmful, provided that this type of inflammation does not develop into chronic inflammation.
The 5 Cardinal Signs of Inflammation
Based on the above, one can conclude that treatment for inflammation is vital to preventing the body from experiencing chronic inflammation. In both of these cases, one may suffer from one or more of the following five cardinal signs of inflammation. We will then look at how to minimize the impact of these symptoms to prevent harmful conditions from developing as a result of long-term inflammation.
Pain
Pain is a typical effect of both chronic and acute inflammation. Most individuals will notice pain prevalent in their joints and muscle tissue. This is because inflammatory chemicals that are released by the body stimulate the nerve endings and cause the area to become more sensitive. Acute inflammation pain can be quickly remedied by over-the-counter painkillers, however, chronic inflammation can cause more severe pain. This is because long-term inflammation can damage the lining of the joints, form crystals in the joints that prolong the pain, and cause autoimmune conditions, according to authoritative sources (5).
Heat
Inflammed areas within the body will feel warmer than other areas of the body as there is increased blood flow to these parts of the body as the immune system responds to threats and infections. While not all inflammation can result in a noticeable change in temperature of the affected area, severe chronic inflammation typically increases the body’s temperature and can lead to fevers. Be sure to contact your doctor if you experience fever and other symptoms associated with chronic autoinflammatory diseases (6).
Redness
Increased blood flow to certain areas of the body during the natural inflammatory response also causes redness over and above raising body temperature. Redness can be subtle in cases of minor acute inflammation or more pronounced and long-lasting from chronic inflammation. In fact, acne is an inflammatory disease categorized by red blemishes forming excessively on the face (7).
Swelling
Swelling is a common symptom of acute and chronic inflammation as fluid accumulates in the affected tissues or throughout the body. Swelling from inflammation is most noticeable after a workout as the body begins the process of healing the muscles. It can also occur during infection, discernible by enlarging of the lymph nodes (8). This is because the glands play a key role in filtering toxins and trapping bacteria from spreading throughout the body.
Loss of Function
Loss of function is one of the most severe symptoms of chronic inflammation as specific parts of the body are unable to move or individuals may experience difficulty breathing. Cytokines are responsible for this symptom as they release throughout the body during inflammation and promote the accessibility of molecules to affected areas (9). Chronic exposure to cytokine release can result in the loss of function in specific areas, both short and long-term.
How to Treat Inflammation
Individuals should note several ways to treat inflammation to speed up the healing process as well as minimize the risk of suffering from chronic inflammation. Below, we discuss some of the most efficient and effective methods of treating inflammation.
Top Quality Turmeric Supplements
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory. The compound curcumin, found within turmeric, is responsible for the inflammatory-fighting properties of the common household spice. The anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric are not as effective when consumed as a spice as when taken as a supplement. This is because turmeric curcumin supplements supply the body with high concentrations of the active compound to deliver science-backed anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric consumption (10).
Research Verified® Turmeric Curcumin is an incredibly powerful turmeric supplement to help manage acute and chronic inflammation. It contains Contains C3 complex® turmeric curcumin, a patented blend standardized to contain 95% curcuminoids, which is the active ingredient in turmeric. It provides a large dose of 1,500mg of Tumeric per daily serving. Because Turmeric is not easily absorbed by the body, Research Verified® Turmeric Curcumin also contains 20 mg of BioPerine®, a patented black pepper extract. This combination of Turmeric and Piperine is clinically proven to increase absorption by 2,000%! Best of all, you can read positive online reviews about this high-quality anti-inflammatory support supplement.
Combine Supplementation With a Well-Balanced Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes are critical to preventing chronic inflammation as dietary and wellness adjustments can have a significant impact on the body. Consider adopting a green Mediterranean diet as it offers several benefits, including quicker weight loss (11). One should also manage stress as there is growing concern regarding the link between stress and inflammation (12). Mindful meditation, yoga, and other calming techniques can help one reduce feelings of anxiety and stress (13).
In conclusion: Your mindset is everything
Untreated inflammation in the body can get steadily worse which can keep you from doing the things you love with the people you love the most. It is imperative to speak to your doctor about what medications they recommend and also remember that you have the power to help yourself as well. Take control of your diet and lifestyle and have faith that your body has what it takes to get through this!
