When your body is attacked by bacteria or viruses or toxins, or is injured, your immune system responds by sending inflammatory cells to fight the bacteria and viruses, remove the toxins and heal the injury.
There are two types of inflammation: Acute and Chronic.
Acute inflammation is when your immune system responds to viruses, bacteria, toxins or injury.
Chronic inflammation is when your immune system sends inflammatory cells when there is no attack.
Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis and gouty arthritis are the result inflammation. Inflammation can affect the heart, lungs and kidneys.
Diagnoses and Treatment
Doctors diagnose inflammation by inspecting the affected joints, x-rays and results of blood tests results.
Doctors may recommend Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen. They may also recommend braces, splints and canes.
Doctors may perform surgery to correct joint damage or prescribe physical therapy to improve joint stiffness and strengthen muscles. Doctors may give steroid injections to decrease inflammation to a joint or muscle
What changes can you make to manage inflammation?
Take medication as prescribed by your doctor
Stop smoking
Reduce alcohol intake
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Include anti-inflammatory foods in your diet such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, olive oil, leafy green vegetables, carrots, dried beans, nuts, fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines, frutis such as oranges, avocado, grapes, apples and spices such as garlic, ginger and turmeric.
Avoid refined carbohydrates such as sugar, foods made from white flour, fried foods, sugary drinks, red meat and meat processed with nitrates such as hotdogs, margarine, shortening and lard.
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