Question

Describe the Cardinal signs of inflammation and why/how do they each arise?

Answer 1

Inflammation is a process by which our immune system and cell protect the body against infection and pathogens through increase in the production of white blood cells. As the pathogens invade the system, WBC production increases which tends to release some chemical which affects the tissues and shows the cardinal symptoms. The chemical might also cause fluid leakage into tissue and hence causes various symptoms which are prominent of a pathogenic attack.

The 5 most prominent and cardinal signs of inflammation are:-

Pain – This is one of the prominent signs and might lead to muscle and joint pain. The area that is inflamed becomes sensitive and this is caused because the chemical which are released by the WBC and immune cells tend to stimulate the nerve endings. This makes the area more sensitive and hence more prone to pain.

Heat – As there is inflammation, the area around it becomes warm and starts releasing heat. The heat is caused due to the increase blood flow which enhances the core temperature.

Redness – The redness is also caused due to the increase blood flow to the area with increased number of WBC and hence high amount of blood circulation causes redness in the inflamed area.

Swelling -The swelling is caused because when a particular area becomes inflamed, it starts leaking fluid into the tissues and becomes swollen due to the increased accumulation of the fluid.

Function loss – Inflammation causes loss of function majorly due to the injury and due to the swelling and pain within the particular area, it tends to cause loss of function. That part of the body becomes immovable due to loss of function.