Inflammation is a critical response of the body’s immune system to injury or infection. It is the body’s attempt to heal itself after an injury; defend itself against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria; and repair damaged tissue. Without inflammation, wounds would fester, and infections could become deadly. There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic.

Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate response to an injury or infection. When the body is damaged, the immune system sends white blood cells to destroy any damaging substances, heal the tissues, and return the affected area to a state of balance. This rapid response causes familiar symptoms like redness, pain, warmth, and swelling.

Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a long-term physiological response that can have negative effects on the body. It is linked to a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, cancer, anxiety and depression, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, allergies and asthma, skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, and arthritis.

Understanding acute and chronic inflammation is crucial, as persistent inflammation can contribute to a wide range of health issues. For example, Harvard Health explores how inflammation can be both a healing response and a contributor to disease when it becomes chronic.

With the advent of COVID-19, the impact of inflammation on blood health has come under scrutiny. Research suggests that dysregulated blood vessel growth may be triggered by an increase of RGD during infection, leading to lung tissue disruption. COVID-19-related kidney failure is also being investigated, with the virus potentially causing direct tissue damage or indirect damage through coagulation and blocked arteries.

Infections, in general, cause inflammation throughout the body which can encourage blood clots to form. This is seen in conditions such as Staphylococcus & Streptococcus infections, which can lead to a range of issues from skin infections to pneumonia and meningitis. Similarly, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a blood disorder where the immune system attacks and decreases the number of platelets, leading to bleeding and bruising.

Inflammation’s role in heart health has also been a significant topic, particularly in the context of COVID-19. Fever and infection can cause the heart rate to speed up, increasing the heart’s workload and potentially leading to heart damage. Furthermore, urinary tract infections have been identified as a potential trigger for stroke due to the inflammation they cause.

Learning about the dual nature of inflammation—its role in healing and its potential to cause harm when chronic—can be pivotal in managing and preventing a range of health conditions.