The Inflammatory Process
If you know how your body reacts naturally and how it is meant to protect you, it would make sense to use that knowledge with confidence. And with more knowledge and confidence you have more control of yourself, of your health, and your environment. Wouldn’t your perceptions change if you really understood your body and how it really wants to protect you? This information may also be important should you be a caregiver for a friend or family member. Obviously you will then be able to make more informed decisions for yourself and guide others with a little more confidence
We are dealing with a concept that is with us twenty four hours a day, seven days a week: year in and year out. Our goal is to help you recognize its “presence” and be informed as to what to expect. So we hope that by giving you easy to understand explanations and lots of examples, in simplistic terms, you will be able to understand things better and can think a little differently. This information is not meant to be used for, or as, any medical treatment. Please don’t use this to make any medical changes to your own health situation. For that, please consult your medical advisor.
We do not apologize for the simplicity of the examples or thoughts. The purpose of this is to get you to think, to question things you don’t understand, to use your common sense. You do instinctively have a lot of common sense. We are all born with it and it is meant to serve us well. And as you learn to question what might be happening in your body, your actions might also be different with this new knowledge.
What is the inflammatory process? It is certainly one of the main “contributors” to any reactions that go on in your body. It is automatic and swift. It is involuntary. You have no warning it will happen, BUT its INTENTION is to PROTECT you.
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As scientists delve deeper into the fundamental causes of Arthritis and many other illnesses, they are starting to see links to an age-old immunological defence mechanism called inflammation—the same biological process that turns the tissue around a splinter red and causes swelling in an injured toe. Making matters worse, it appears that many of the attributes of a Western lifestyle—such as a diet high in sugars and saturated fats, accompanied by little or no exercise—also make it easier for the body to become inflamed.
Inflammation is an immune response that occurs after infection or injury. Damaged tissues activate the entire inflammation process, a complex, local defensive response by the skin and other tissues of the body to the presence of injury. It involves a series of biological actions that lead to the development of redness, heat and swelling. All of these elements are created by the activity of immune cells working to break down injured and dying tissues so that new, healthy ones can replace them. When you suffer a painful bump after hitting your head, that’s inflammation at work.
The term “inflammatory process” may not mean much to you, but its physical action on your body is vitally important. From the slightest seemingly harmless bump on your arm to major diseases, like Arthritis, the inflammatory process is at work to keep you as healthy as possible or to restore your health as best as it can, depending on its own health.
Inflammation is the underlying cause of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s dementia, macular degeneration, Arthritis, and the list goes on and on. Inflammation accelerates the production of free radicals. When inflammation is limited, free radicals can be controlled by antioxidant defences; in fact, the free radicals help the body get rid of pathogens and make way for healing. It is felt that long-term or chronic inflammation results in oxidative stress.
The immune system has difficulty shutting down and a low grade, chronic inflammatory response usually develops. The body’s natural immune system will try to heal this damage by creating an immune response or inflammatory response. If this damage can be healed the inflammatory response settles down and everything is fine. However, what happens in the majority of cases, the insulting factors that created the damage in first place continue to create more and more damage. The result is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory process that literally goes on to do more harm than good.
Oxidative stress has been implicated in human disease by a growing body of facts. http://www.bb.iastate.edu/~jat/glutchp.html. This is a condition that resembles your body rusting out in certain areas. This is the dark side of oxygen. Free radicals must be immediately rendered harmless via antioxidants or they can go on to damage the vessel wall, cell wall, proteins, fats, and even the DNA nucleus of the cell. There is a lot of research underway related to this concept.
Well-established cardiac risk factors such as obesity, smoking, hypertension and chronic periodontal disease all increase inflammation.
We all sometimes desire the latest technologies, drugs, and gadgets and forget the simpler solutions. Before giving you some definitions of the inflammatory process, let us give you a ridiculous example, but it illustrates the idea very clearly. Suppose you put your hand on a hot element on your stove. Your body acts instinctively to remove your hand from the harmful effects of that heat. That is how quickly your body reacts. Despite your “foolishness”, your body has already started the healing process. Not only has it sprung into action and removed your hand from further harm, it has also started to bring together a lot of other properties to help heal the damage underway. Did you make any decisions to help in the process? No. You had no chance and no choice. All you did was put your hand on the burner.
“Inflammation” is a process that brings blood and white cells to the injured or irritated area. It is characterized by heat, swelling, redness, and pain. It is the tissue reaction of the injury, direct or indirect. “Infection” is the invasion and multiplication of any organism and the damage caused by this in the body. Does the heat, redness and pain sound familiar to those with Arthritis?
“Inflammatory response” is tissue reaction to injury and or an antigen. The response may include pain, swelling, itching, redness, heat, loss of function, or a combination of symptoms. There may be dilation of the blood vessels leakage of fluid to the vessels, causing oedema (swelling).
An important point to remember is that just as the fluid and other elements are activated, so they subside once their job is done. Also all functions resume their normal activities. The crisis is over and life becomes normal once again. However, there are times when this process will not subside but carry on for long time.
Don’t see this as a very complicated process. See it as a basic, vital, automatic function of your body. Can you then understand what happens if you don’t have it? Your whole system would be compromised.
Let us walk you through several examples and show what happens to you physically as your body gets into “inflammatory action" or "re-action”. There are many articles explaining this automatic response. The hope is that once you understand this a little better, you may not be so quick to reach for a drug, but instead allow your body to follow its “natural course”. And now that you have been made aware of it, you may not be so quick to take it for granted.
We have been programmed to get medical advice for any sort of situation. But is that always necessary? If you have more knowledge, maybe you could find some practical solutions. Here are some examples where common sense seems to be missing, yet could possibly clear up a problem quite quickly and easily.
We will point out in the following examples, when the “result” is “internal” or “external”. Being “internal” or “external” reflects on how the resulting fluid or swelling (oedema) spreads out. But the idea is that, either way, the fluid HAS to go somewhere. If it spreads internally, it may press down on structures that change the “next step”. That will become apparent as we work through each idea.
Let’s start with stubbing your toe. How does the inflammatory process come into play here? Immediately on stubbing your toe, it swells and expands externally. It throbs (pressure). It hurts. (Pain). If you go back, the definition “inflammation” is a process that brings blood and white cells to the injured or irritated area. It is characterized by heat, swelling, redness, and pain. It is the tissue reaction of the injury, direct or indirect.” Here is the inflammatory process activated through trauma. In this case the swelling is an example where there is room for the fluid to expand. But it can only do this if there room for this to happen. Once the skin can’t expand any longer, one of two things can happen. 1) The skin “weeps”. 2) The skin splits (we call it breaking, but in reality you can only break solid things, and skin is not solid.).
Another example is dust in your eye. Again, your body reacts immediately to this intruder by bringing in extra fluid, etc. to wash it (dust/intruder) away. In this case, the inflammatory process again expands outwardly. Externally, you feel the tears. (But you could have internal eye pressure as well. This might be brought on by something irritating a part of the inside of the eye such as in glaucoma. Then the pressure could well affect the optic nerve.)
Now let’s look at another few examples where the fluid can’t get outside. So it expands internally. Remember, this is an automatic response. Your inflammatory process has NO CHOICE BUT to respond. Internal expansion would happen in a toxic liver, an inflamed gallbladder or a hot appendix.
It is this very same inflammatory process in progress. Luckily most of the fluid has room to expand somewhere inside.
In all these cases, your body “creates” this fluid to wash out the unwanted toxins or irritants. The actions are the same as are the results: in each case, fluid is created and can be accommodated. There are some unusual cases where there is a great amount of fluid production. Your body then has to extend itself by stretching the skin…or push down on existing soft tissue.
If all is well, and your body is healthy, this swelling will subside, with few long-term affects. Remember that no part of your body is exempt from this process. As already stated, this is automatic and consistent. It happens in your brain and in your toe, and anywhere in between. You have no control over its start or its completion.
However there are drugs than can influence the inflammatory process not to work as effectively as nature has meant it to do. These chemicals (drugs) are used when you want to get rid of the natural results from the exposure of the irritant: from the inflammatory process’s natural healing function. But from what you have already read here and elsewhere, you know that this produces its own irritation and most likely will result in more inflammatory process at work.
With this bit of knowledge, you may want to question using something that slows down your healing. What is your responsibility in all of this if it is needed? Ask yourself if you keep yourself healthy by eating properly and adequately? and can you recognize the things that might be harmful to you. Do your research and armed with this knowledge you can go and make some informed decisions.
In this example we have walked you through the inflammatory process from cause and what happens when you stop this action: this natural action. Let’s take this to where you now take drugs to relieve the pressure. Or even take antibiotics to alleviate the possible resulting infection. You are now adding even more irritants in the form of chemicals. Or you are prescribed steroids. They are prescribed to soften your body’s natural and immediate healing process…so you won’t feel symptoms as much and to help reduce the swelling…of the inflammatory process at work!
Now you are dealing with the chemicals from the drugs, the stress of a poorly functioning immune system plus the possible side effects of the steroids. Is that what you want? Just asking…and hoping to make you think!
Here we give you an over-simplification of allergy shots. Having these, in my mind, is commendable to a point. But you may have always questioned the idea.
Let’s say you have an allergy to bees. You would not choose to be a beekeeper, right? (Unless you were quite foolish.) But if you are allergic to tree pollen you would now go for allergy shots of tree pollen. (or give them to yourself.) The idea is to get your body used to the irritant. Why would you want to do that? Your body has already told you it doesn’t like tree pollen.
Let’s look at this a little closer. At the very beginning when you were first exposed to this irritant, your body’s inflammatory process was healthy and it tried to get rid of the irritation (intruder). Either your inflammatory process wasn’t healthy enough to overcome the frequent exposure or other factors “drew on” your inflammatory process and / or immune system. It became so weak it couldn’t handle any more “work”. But probably you also didn’t like the effects (allergic reaction): the cough, the itchy eyes, the runny nose. These are all signs of an allergy. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000812.htm
So you sought medical attention. And it came in the form of antihistamines, cough medicines and decongestants, amongst other things. Most of these are meant to quieten your body’s natural desire to heal you. Did you really want to do this result? Maybe not.
Would you not be getting anxious to try and find the underlying cause of this inflammatory process at work?
Have you ever asked yourself where this fluid goes once it has done its job, but now contains all the toxins? Once they clean out the inflamed area? That’s where your lymphatic system (this is considered one of the body’s cleaning system) and your circulatory (blood) system come into play.
They remove as any toxins as they can and your body returns to normal. If you suspect that your immune system is a little overloaded or not completely capable of keeping you healthy, is there anything you do about it? The AMA told us you can heal your body by using optimum amounts of a complete and balanced nutritional supplement. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/287/23/3127 Find yourself such a supplement. They exist. A few companies’ products come pretty close to these recommendations.
If you don’t have your own trustworthy source, you might like to use the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle MacWilliam. Not only does this book compare 1500 products but it also explains the function or action of each ingredient and the need for them. This book will save you a lot of frustration and aimless running around. www.comparativeguide.com. We also have available an article on how to choose a nutritional supplement safely and wisely. If you would like to read that article, please click here
Now we have given you several examples of the inflammatory process in action. Some of it is a bit controversial so we beg you not to rush into your doctor’s office and wave this article at them. If you are thinking of taking any action on what you have learned, you must discuss it openly and intelligently with your medical provider. Your body most likely has become used to its routine. Any changes need to be done under medical supervision. But it is possible to make changes. It is possible to review unhealthy conditions. It is possible to think that drugs aren’t the only answer or solution to any and all problems. But it takes courage and determination and more research on your part.
Remember that every chemical going into your body creates a change. That is why you are taking it. So it follows that multiple chemicals will create multiple changes. Know what they are and if they are the changes you really want to have in your body.
Life is a series of causes and effects. You cut your finger and you bleed. You plant a seed and something grows…hopefully. You get dust in your eye and your eye weeps. Said another way, for every cause there is an effect. If you know that to be case, you can now look for the underlying cause, when you get a result or effect you don’t like.
Ask yourself why you drink or smoke or take any recreational drug? It’s to create a change in your body. The same can be said for eating artificial sweeteners and fat-free foods instead of more healthy things. You already understand how to make changes in many areas not related to your health. Think of it this way. If you don’t like the balance in your bank account (effect), you have choices to make changes (cause). But you need to pay attention to the “bottom line”. So as we worked through these examples we trust you kept in mind that you may well already have the answers within your environment: either a mental or physical answer. You can choose to do something or not do anything.
Nutritional medicine aims at eliminating or preventing the oxidative stress that is causing the damage in the beginning. Not only is your body protected from this damage but it also prevents the inflammation from occurring in the first place. In an issue of Time Magazine the front cover and main article is on the subject of Inflammation— The Secret Killer.
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101040223/index.html
There are 3 changes you need to make to your daily life.
1.You need to develop a healthy diet that combines good fats, good proteins, and good carbohydrates that does not spike your blood sugar. Diets low in foods that supply omega-3 fatty acids and high in refined grains and other processed foods usually supply fat in the form of polyunsaturated vegetable oils and hydrogenated oils. This dietary profile creates an imbalance of essential fats in the body, with the intake of omega-6 oils and hydrogenated oils far exceeding the intake of omega-3 fats.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fats are the raw materials from which eicosanoids, hormone-like substances with multiple effects on body systems, are made. One of the most important duties of eicosanoids is to regulate inflammation, and their manufacture depends upon the supply of fats in the diet. When the appropriate balance of omega-6 to omega-3 is consumed, inflammation is kept in check, occurring when necessary to heal the body but rarely getting out of hand. Unfortunately, most people consume an overabundance of omega-6 fats. And when omega-6 fats predominate, this encourages the production of inflammation-causing chemicals in the body.
Furthermore, vitamin D has been shown to suppress inflammation by reducing cytokines (inflammatory modulating molecules). Thus, taking at least 1,000 of vitamin D or more per day helps protect against inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic muscle pain (fibromyalgia), congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. South Med J 2005 Oct;98(10):1024; ClinTer 2005 May;156(3):115; Mayo Clinic Proc 2003 Dec;78(12):1463; Diabetes Care 2005 Dec;28(12):2926; Am J Clin Nutr 2006 Apr;83(4):754 http://mcnamaraupdates.blogspot.com/
An anti-inflammatory diet includes abundant fresh vegetables and fruits, small servings of whole grains and protein from fish (especially salmon, mackerel, cod, sardines and other deep-sea-dwelling species). Pumpkin seeds, walnuts and flaxseeds are excellent sources of omega-3 fats. Use olive or canola oil when added fats are called for. Although many foods contain antioxidants, today's poor-quality diets are nearly always insufficient in the full range of these beneficial free radical scavengers. Scientific evidence has repeatedly demonstrated that antioxidants are a cornerstone in the prevention of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease and age-related mental decline. They also appear to play a role in slowing the aging process itself. That is why it is so strongly recommended increasing your antioxidant intake as a valuable way to optimize your health. Since so many diseases have now been linked to chronic inflammation, obtaining enough of these compounds is of utmost importance to your health.
2. You need to develop a consistent, modest exercise program that includes at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 5 times per week.
3.You also need to begin taking advanced levels of nutritional supplements that provides cellular nutrition. When you combine all three of these healthy lifestyles, you either eliminate or significantly decrease all the causes of inflammation. There is little need to have to take medication because you are preventing the inflammation from even occurring. This is TRUE preventive medicine.
Now study and research the concept so it makes more sense to you. Check out all your sources. This process is called “due diligence” and it is something you do naturally for many other parts of your life. Do it here as well.
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