What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation in the body from varying reasons (disease, trauma, injuries, bacterial infections) occurs because our small blood vessels become dilated which opens them allowing added blood to swiftly flow in. The extra blood causes the tissue to warm up, then blood plasma is allowed to enter the swollen tissues. The body begins to react in defense to repair the body by releasing white blood cells containing platelets, and other repair cells. Purposely the white blood cells quickly release anti-pathogenic chemicals to the inflamed site.

Hopefully, the healthy tissues can withstand the onslaught of the inflammation, if not, inflammation can cause disability, brain trauma, or death. There are several natural and prescribed anti-inflammatory compounds, some of which must be used in conjunction with each other because inflammation is not a one-stop solution. Doctors and researchers are working with quality anti-inflammatories to give patients the best recovering benefits.

Chronic vs. Acute

Inflammation is categorized as acute and chronic. Chronic inflammatory pain lasts only a few days while longer lasting pain is chronic inflammation. Inwardly, chronic inflammation has caused the destruction of the tissue, organs, and healthy cells. Acute inflammation is slight damage to the soft tissue. During acute inflammation, chemicals categorized as cytokines are released as a signal. by the damaged tissue. The signals quickly receive helps from immune cells, hormones, and tissue nutrients to help in the repair and the pain begins to subside.

Below are a few things you need to know about the options for anti-inflammatory medications.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

At the top of the anti-inflammatory list are drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen. These products are classified as NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug). They are limited in their scope of getting to the root of inflammations in the body, plus taking them is a cautionary tale. NSAIDs are quite familiar as over-the-counter oral products. But just because they can be purchased right off the shelf, they are considered easy to take at any time. Yes, there are stronger NSAIDs that are prescribed by a doctor. Taking NSAID too often can cause internal bleeding, ulcers, and thinning blood symptoms all of which hamper the healing process of certain internal tissues affected by the inflammation. NSAIDs block the enzymes that make chemicals that signal pain and by taking these NSAID, their properties block the body’s ability to feel less pain.

Corticosteroids are another type of NSAID which has a greater effect on reducing the chronic inflammation within the body. This anti-inflammatory is a man-made drug that is designed to mimic certain hormones in the body that help to reduce inflammations associated with arthritis, asthma, lupus, chronic asthma and more. Certain side effects can include swelling in the legs, high blood pressure, weight gain, and mood swings. There are remedies that can minimize these effects if followed to the letter like taking doses of corticosteroids in low doses per a doctor’s prescription and eating healthier like fresh vegetables and fruit diet.

Antibiotics are also used as anti-inflammatory products. Used primarily as an antibacterial agent, antibiotics help with diseases that feature inflammatory symptoms. Antibiotics vary in their attack within the body on infections, parasites, and many antibacterial viruses. But they are also great at working against bacteria that is present where inflammation takes place. Our immune system needs antibiotics to fend off many infections. Antibiotics are prescribed when patient’s are exhibiting serious or deep tissue infections from inflammatory diseases that could be life-threatening. Stronger doses of antibiotics help to change inflammatory cells by breaking them down and removing them, thus decreasing inflammation.

Natural Anti-Inflammatories

There are natural anti-inflammatories that have long been known for their healing properties to give the body benefits from recovery due to inflammation:

Polyphenols contain chemicals that are renowned for their tissue-shrinking tissues that cause chronic inflammation. The good news about polyphenols is that it is mainly derived from plants. This means that many food products can be ingested to combat inflammation and the pain it causes. Foods that contain healthy amounts of polyphenol consists of:

> Fruits: Oranges, grapes, apples, cherries, berries, apricots, peaches, etc.

> Vegetables: Spinach, onions, potatoes, olives, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, etc.

> Whole Grains: Wheat, rye, oats, etc.

> Beans: Soybeans, black beans, etc.

> Nuts/Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chestnuts, flaxseeds

> Beverages: Tea (green leaf), red wine, coffee, etc.

> Healthy Fats: Virgin olive oil, dark chocolate, etc.

> Seasonings:  Soy sauce, cinnamon, cumin, curry, turmeric, and dried ginkgo biloba, etc.

The food products containing polyphenols are great anti-inflammatories because of the role they play in the body’s healing because of their antioxidant action to defeat cell damage. Please note that even though a majority of us can consume the food products above, there are some who cannot. The good news is that there are supplements that can be taken under a doctor’s order.

Fish oil has long been known for its natural anti-inflammatory properties due to its omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil in the form of supplements can decrease inflammation in the body. Fish oil is extracted as the fat, liver extract, or oil from the tissue of fish in species like tuna, herring, anchovies, and mackerel. Of course, eating oily fish about twice a week can also give your anti-inflammatory coverage. Fish oil does not help with acute inflammation episodes because it is more of a preventative product allowing the body to experience lower levels of inflammation.

Butyric acid is the latest and most promising natural anti-inflammatory compound. It is a specific molecule that is formed in and around the colon due to natural bacterial fermentation of carbohydrate dying cells. Their purpose is to heal cells of both the small and large intestine. Butyric acid is also found in ghee, raw milk, butter, plant oils, under-ripe bananas, parmesan cheese, and certain other animal fats. Modern research procedures have discovered how to put butyric acid in supplements to be taken orally.

Types of Anti-Inflammatories

All anti-inflammatories should be administered or monitored by a licensed professional, even you are taking over-the-counter meds. Anti-inflammatories work if you follow instructions, to include dosage, method, and duration. Depending on your prescription, anti-inflammatory medication can be in the form of creams and ointments. If the dosage is of high-quality, then instructions will likely ask you to put on light med-style gloves when applying it to the skin.

Other anti-inflammatory painkillers can also be applied through transdermal patches. The best anti inflammatory patches are applied topically in lieu of orally because there are fewer side effects. An additional anti-inflammatory application is through inhalers like those used by asthma sufferers. Topical anti-inflammatories contain various types of medications as noted above. Research institutions believe that there will be many breakthroughs in helping to better the well-being of individuals when inflammation affects their mental, spiritual, and physical lives.