Inflammation, along with infections, is one of the most common medical conditions in humans. Virtually any body part or internal organ can be affected by inflammation. Well-known inflammations are tendonitis, meningitis, appendicitis and pneumonia. Because inflammation can cause serious illness or even cause life-threatening conditions itself, seeing a doctor is always advisable.
What is inflammation?
Well-known inflammatory conditions include tendonitis, meningitis, appendicitis and pneumonia. Virtually any body part or internal organ can be affected by inflammation. An inflammation (also known as inflammation in medical terms) basically refers to a reaction of the body to damaging influences. Inflammation serves to eliminate the causative damage, prevent its spread in the body and also the first repair processes. The classic symptoms are caused by a pronounced activation of the immune system. Messenger substances (cytokines) are released, which attract the defense cells via the blood system to the site of action. Due to the widening of the vessels, fluid, defense cells and defense substances reach the inflamed tissue directly. Depending on the severity, a distinction is made between local and systemic (i.e., affecting the entire body) inflammation, and the transitions are fluid.
Causes
The most common cause of inflammation is a not infrequently trivial injury through which pathogens penetrate the soft tissues. Inflammations after operations are also feared, whereby bacteria can enter the surgical area through the wound or already during the operation. In most cases, the pathogens are bacteria (e.g. pus-forming bacteria such as staphylococci or streptococci); much less frequently, inflammation is caused by viruses or fungi. But other barrier injuries, mechanical, chemical or physical influences can also lead to inflammation. Typical examples are sunburn (skin inflammation caused by UV rays), chemical burns, intestinal inflammation (especially appendicitis or diverticulitis, when fecal pads or foreign bodies cause irritation and thus the area can be secondarily colonized by bacteria) or pneumonia (caused by inhalation of disease-causing pathogens). If the defense reaction is now set in motion, the typical signs of inflammation result: Redness (rubor), swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), hyperthermia (calor) and restriction of movement (functio laesa), which are particularly visible in skin or soft tissue inflammations. Significantly more often, any type of inflammation occurs when the immune system is weakened, for example, in the context of diabetes mellitus or AIDS.
Diseases with this symptom
- Tendonitis
- Inner ear inflammation
- Pneumonia
- Nerve inflammation
- Otitis media
- Heart muscle inflammation
- Meningitis
- Eye inflammation
- Conjunctivitis
- Hepatitis
- Gastritis inflammation
- Gum inflammation
- Appendicitis
- Tooth root inflammation
- Tonsillitis
- Nail bed inflammation
- Pancreatitis
- Muscle inflammation
Complications
The possible complications of inflammation are many. If the inflammation is not treated in time, there are increasing symptoms of exhaustion, often accompanied by fever, dizziness and similar accompanying symptoms. Depending on the cause and underlying disease, the inflammation can then lead to failure of the internal organs. The adrenal cortex usually fails first, followed by the kidney itself and the liver or heart. The course is often fatal, especially in severe diseases such as sepsis, myocarditis or pneumonia. This also depends on whether the inflammation is chronic, acute or recurrent. Inflammations in the larynx, for example, lead to sore throat, hoarseness and typical cold symptoms such as fever and fatigue, which in the further course, however, can also spread to the pharynx and lead to abscesses there. The same applies to acute pharyngitis or tonsillitis, which also leads to fever and difficulty swallowing. In general, inflammations in the body cause a wide variety of problems.The inflammatory processes throw the circulatory system out of balance and cause sweating, dry or hot skin, nausea, restlessness and, in extreme cases, hallucinations and serious organ dysfunction. Constipation, an accelerated respiratory rate and chills are also possible complications of inflammation in the body. The specific complications can be much more extensive due to the wide range of diseases, and causes associated with inflammation, which in turn can lead to further problems.
When should you go to the doctor?
When inflammation requires medical advice or immediate medical treatment depends on its nature and severity. Basically, a distinction is made between acute and chronic inflammation. In the case of acute appendicitis, the appropriate measures must be taken immediately. Similarly, pneumonia, cystitis or tonsillitis must never be ignored. They absolutely require therapy, which must be coordinated with the family doctor. The longer an inflammation remains undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the damage it can do to the body. It is also important to ask what triggered the inflammation and what measures have already been taken to support the healing process. Chronic inflammations or autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland, Crohn’s disease or multiple sclerosis are treated by administering medication. These diseases require consultation with the family doctor in advance. He or she can also advise on any dietary changes that may be helpful. With regard to inflammatory diseases, experts see the intestine as a carrier and trigger, among other things. Here also for prophylaxis a physician attendance can be meaningful for those, which belong to a special risk group. If inflammation is suspected, the doctor can order an examination of the blood. This can detect so-called C-reactive proteins, which provide information about the presence and strength of the inflammation in the organism. Conclusion: in the case of inflammation, regardless of its genesis, it is always advisable to consult a medical doctor.
Treatment and therapy
Therapy and treatment are usually conservative for small local inflammations. Disinfecting compresses (e.g., with soaked compresses) are very effective in this regard. Analgesics from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. diclofenac or ibuprofen) have a mild anti-inflammatory component in addition to the analgesic effect and can be used well as a supplement. A consistent application of cold, e.g. cool packs, also has an alleviating effect. To prevent spread, the affected body part should be immobilized if possible. However, if an outbreak or formation of pus (e.g. an abscess) has occurred, it should be cut open so that the pus can drain off. If there is a pronounced local inflammation, if the localization is internal (e.g. appendicitis) or if a systemic infection has already occurred (the maximum variant here is blood poisoning, medically also sepsis), the administration of antibiotics is usually unavoidable. This should be started on suspicion after the suspected pathogen has been identified, so as not to lose any time. According to the corresponding examination results, the antibiotic may have to be changed or adjusted in the course. General measures (e.g., rest, fever reduction, pain medication, cooling) are used in addition. Major surgical therapy of inflammation is usually necessary only in cases of complications.
Outlook and prognosis
Unfortunately, in the case of inflammation, it cannot be universally predicted whether it will progress with complications or heal on its own. Whether and how the further course of the inflammation will be depends very much on the type of inflammation and on the part of the body that is inflamed. In most cases, however, there is no need to see a doctor and the affected person can heal and take care of the inflammation himself. With good personal hygiene and plenty of care, the inflammation should also recede and heal quickly. The situation is different for inflammations that occur in very sensitive areas, such as the eye or mouth. In such cases, a doctor should always be consulted immediately, who will look at the inflammation and prescribe medication against it. As a rule, it does not always have to be treated only from the outside, but can also be cured with medication from the inside.Only in very few cases does it happen that a patient has to be hospitalized due to inflammation and surgery has to be performed. In the vast majority of cases, the inflammation subsides when the body is given attention.
Prevention
The most important prevention against inflammation is hygienic handling, especially after small skin injuries. These should be rinsed with clean water and disinfected if necessary. A clean plaster bandage can reduce the subsequent penetration of pathogens. After operations, regular and, above all, sterile dressing changes are essential; it is not uncommon for prophylactic antibiotics to be administered during the operation. It also makes sense to avoid contact with infected people, animals or objects. Inflammation can also be reduced by strengthening the immune system, for example by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, fresh air, exercise and cold baths.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Inflammation can be treated independently to a certain extent with the help of various measures. Basically, a healthy diet rich in vitamins is important in the case of inflammation. Herbal remedies such as chamomile, ginger, fenugreek, bloodroot, lime blossom, echinacea and marigold are believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect. They often help treat mild inflammation. A number of plants strengthen the immune system. These include rosehip, elderberry, garlic, raspberry, sea buckthorn, nasturtium, ginseng, licorice, turmeric, horseradish, onion and tea tree. Mostly these and other plants are used as tea preparation. In addition, they can be used as inhalations, baths or rubs. If inflammation is associated with swelling and pain, cold is recommended. A cooling pad often helps with joint or tooth inflammation, and in the case of tonsillitis, ice cream can relieve pain and reduce swelling. If cooling is found to be uncomfortable, it should be discontinued. If joints are inflamed, they should first be immobilized. A splint can provide relief in this case. The joint should then be slowly exercised again. If an inflammation causes a fever, calf compresses can help to lower the body temperature again. In addition, sufficient fluid intake and bed rest should be ensured.
