Inflammation

freepik

Am super excited be be here again this week to participate in this contest. I have found out that engaging in contest in this community exposes me to knowledge even as I get to dive deeper into understanding subjects I think I already know. Of a truth, learning never ends, it's a continuous process. I have decided to make and entry into this contest by @khursheedanwar and I really do hope y'all find it interesting. Let's get into it.

Inflammation can be defined as one of the healing procedure for the body when it's exposed to harm. The body responds to this by what we refer to as inflammation. At this point the immune system of the body tries to protect it from failing by releasing chemicals to heal the body and also fight infection if available.

Inflammations are in levels and degrees, there are some that stays and finishes up it healing process in a very short period, these are referred to as acute inflammation while some lingers for a very long period, depending on the degree of damage done to the body or the kind of hurt the body is going through. They are called chronic inflammation

Symptoms of Inflammation

There are different signs and symptoms of inflammation, but it the acute or chronic inflammation. They all have their mean of identification which I would love to put together

• Redness: This is one of the obvious symptoms of inflammation, it even more obvious is you're a light or fair skinned person. The area where the hurt occur would become red showing there is something wrong in that area.

• Swelling: This is one of the very first response of the body to hurt, the affected area immediately get swollen. It's also a message that the body would begin an healing process from the hurt.

• Pain: Pain is another symptoms of inflammation. One begins to feel pain in the area where the body suffers harm or injury of any kind. This pain could also be experienced all over the body especially in the muscles and joints of the victim.

freepik

• Heat: You feel this warmth around the affected area or sometimes it comes hot depending on the nature of the hurt one is going through.

• Chronic fatigue: A victims would always have this tiring feeling. He feels weak and sometimes helpless. It's is one of the signs that accompany chronic Inflammation.

• Depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders: This is another sign that follows chronic inflammation. It makes one feel anxious and at other times depressed. Most time victims also suffers all manner of mood disorder because of the various body chemicals released in the healing process.

• Insomnia: another symptom of inflammation in the chronic category, is insomnia. The the inability to get a healthy sleep. It means victims would have sleeping disorder and in most cases have a hard time sleeping.

Causes of Inflammation

• Infection: infection is one of the major causes of inflammation resulting from germs such as viruses, bacteria, fungi etc. When the body detects these, it responds and then we immediately see some of the symptoms we talked about.

• Injury: is another cause of inflammation, under this category is body cut, wounds, fracture etc. You would also see the body immune system responding when the body suffers any of these things.

freepik

The above are the two major cause of inflammation in the body, however there are other factors that borders around our life and activities which I also deem fit to highlight below as well.

• Low level of physical activity: This is another cause of inflammation in the body. One is expected to spend quality time engaging the body in some physical activity to keep it active and alive.

• Chronic stress: Here is another reason why people suffer inflammation. When one is completely stressed out without any rest for the body, one is likely to experience inflammation.

• Bad Eating Habit: There are certain food that can cause inflammation and when one focuses on eating such food. I.e food high in salt and fat contest, one won't be able to prevent it.

• Exposures to air pollution & Toxins: one would definitely increase ones chances of experiencing inflammation when he accidentally or intentional get himself exposed to polluted air or toxins which are poisonous to the body.

• Tobacco & Alcohol: I know many would not like this but it doesn't deny the fact that this contributes immensely to inflammation of the body. One can avoid these two to stay healthy and strong. That good old saying hasn't changed a bit...smokers are liable to die young.

Treatment of Inflammation**

Inflammation in the body can be treated easily especially when it's an acute inflammation, I mean one that is not very serious. You could carry out the following steps below.

• Allowing that part of the body to rest. In fact you as the victim must rest so that the healing process can be effective

freepik

• Placing ice or cold pack on the affected area for about 20 minutes at intervals of maybe 4 hours to ease the pressure on the affected area.

• If it happens to be a wound from cut or the likes, you need to practice a very good wound care to prevent it from escalating.

Now if the inflammation seems to be on the secondary level called chronic inflammation, then you might need supplements like zinc and vitamins like omega 3 to catalyze the healing process and reduce inflammation.

You could also use anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, but then you still need need to talk to a medical practitioner so you don't end up abusing these over the counter (OTC) medicines.

If there are pains in joints or muscles, you might need to take corticosteroids injection based on your doctors recommendations.

Conclusion

Let's us do our very best to avoid this medical conditions, in my opinion, prevention is better than cure, that should be our mindset when it comes to taking care of our health because if we fail to, we would have to suffer a lot... sometimes even more than we can bear. Health is indeed wealth, let's not joke with it. I will like to invite @m-fdo @sur-riti & @josepha to this contest.

---

Regards
@lhorgic❤️

---