"Acute Inflammation Is Your Bodies Natural Defense System Against Chronic Inflammation"

There are two types of inflammation in the body, acute and chronic inflammation.

Acute inflammation is the short term usually rapid, immune response.

What Causes Inflammation?

• Injury
• Infection
• Surgery
• Or allergies

Whether you’ve broken a bone or sprained an ankle or burned yourself on a hot stove, or been exposed to germs. You will experience either acute or Chronic Inflammation .

What Is Inflammation?

The definition of inflammation is fire inside. It is how our bodies protect us from germs that invade our bodies.

Acute Inflammation In The Body Has The Following Characteristics

• Fairly rapid onset
• Quickly becomes severe
• Usually lasts for only a few days
• May persist for a few weeks

Acute Inflammation is a natural defense process. It brings increased blood flow to the area, resulting in an accumulation of fluid.

As the body mounts this protective response, the symptoms of inflammation develop.

This Photo Shows The Redness Of Acute Inflammation From A Bee Sting

What Are The Symptoms Of Inflammation?

• Redness of the skin
• Warmth
• Swelling
• Pain
• Joint stiffness

Inflammation Could Also Produce General “Flu-Like" Symptoms Including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue/loss of energy
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle stiffness

Inflammation is not the same as infection. Infections are caused by bacteria, fungus, and viruses. If you didn't have inflammation to battle infection the infection would take over your body causing death.

Inflammation is the body’s attempt to rid itself of the cause of trauma, and to heal any damage caused by it. Often, however, the inflammation itself can damage the body.

Acute inflammation begins within seconds to minutes following an injury of tissues. The damage may be purely physical, or it may involve the activation of an immune response.

The immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful to the body.

To reduce inflammation and the resulting swelling and pain, injured tissue needs to be properly treated. The earlier you start treatment, the better.

The Treatment For Acute Inflammation Consists Of “RICE” Therapy RICE Stands For Rest, Ice, Compression, And Elevation.

• Rest In the case of a foot or ankle inflammation, stay off of your foot as much as possible to prevent further injury
In some cases, complete immobilization may be required.
• Ice Icing, decreases blood flow to the tissue, which reduces swelling and pain. This should be continued until your symptoms resolve

Wrap ice cubes—or a bag of frozen peas or corn—in a thin towel and place the pack on the injured area for 20 minutes of each hour you’re awake.

If your skin turns blue or white, discontinue icing for a few hours. Two cautions: Never apply ice or frozen bags directly to your skin. And never leave an ice pack on your injury while you sleep.

• Compression Keep the inflamed area compressed by wrapping it in an elastic bandage or stocking

Compression prevents additional fluid accumulation and helps reduce pain. In the case of a leg injury wrap the bandage more firmly at the toes and less firmly at the calf.

If your toes tingle or your foot throbs, the wrapping may need to be loosened. If the tingling or throbbing continues after loosening the wrap, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

• Elevation Keeping the foot elevated reduces the swelling by allowing excess fluid to drain to the heart

The proper way to elevate your foot is to keep it level with or slightly above the heart. Place one or two pillows under your calf, and make sure your hip and knee are slightly bent. Never keep your leg extended straight out.

Search For More About Acute Information

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