Question

What positive role does inflammation play in fighting infections? How does stress play a role in triggering the inflammatory response? Why is chronic inflammation considered unhealthy if inflammation is such a beneficial mechanism for fighting infection?

Answer 1

• Inflammation is the body's normal response to injuries or infections. Cells of the immune system travel to the site of injury or infection and cause inflammation.The four signs of inflammation include warmth, redness, swelling and pain.
• Infection refers to the invasion and multiplication of a pathogen within the body, while inflammation is the body's protective response against infection. Inflammation is a complex process involving various types of immune cells, clotting proteins and signaling molecules, all of which change over time.
• Normally, inflammation disappears on its own after the irritation has been removed and the body is adequately protected. In some conditions, however, inflammation is the disease; it starts in the absence of harmful irritations and continues with no resolution. This leads to organ function problems,like arthritis,asthma etc.
• When inflammation occurs, chemicals from the body's white blood cells are released into the blood or affected tissues to protect your body from foreign substances. This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection, and may result in redness and warmth.
• White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are the cells of the immune system. White blood cells help fight infection by attacking invaders and consuming infected or dead cells. The body has various types of white blood cells, but all are produced in the bone marrow.
• Antibodies are proteins that are secreted from B cells. Antibodies help the immune system recognize foreign proteins that do not belong to the body. In doing so, they initiate an inflammatory response and clear the body of the invader.
• Neutrophils are the white blood cells that arrive first at the site of injury. They release chemical signals that attract other immune cells in an effort to help protect the body.
• Monocytes are special white blood cells that mature into cells called macrophages. Macrophages respond to signals released from neutrophils, and they are capable of eating and destroying potential pathogenic invaders in a process called phagocytosis.
• Inflammation is partly regulated by the hormone cortisol and when cortisol is not allowed to serve this function, inflammation can get out of control. Inflammation is your body's response to stress - whether from your diet, lifestyle or environment.
• Prolonged stress alters the effectiveness of cortisol to regulate the inflammatory response because it decreases tissue sensitivity to the hormone.
• Specifically, immune cells become insensitive to cortisol's regulatory effect. In turn, runaway inflammation is thought to promote the development and progression of many diseases.
• With the common cold, symptoms are not caused by the virus, they are instead a "side effect" of the inflammatory response that is triggered as part of the body's effort to fight infection. The greater the body's inflammatory response to the virus, the greater is the likelihood of experiencing the symptoms of a cold.
• This kind of inflammation is good, but the modern epidemic of chronic, low-grade inflammation destroys the balance in your body. When your body's systems experience a constant inflammatory response, you become more susceptible to aging and disease.
• Due to time limit,any remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation