Inflammation

Inflammation is a complex, local or generalized pathological process that is a result of an injury or the effect of a pathogenic irritant that is manifested in the following clinical reactions:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Local increase of temperature
• Pain
• Abnormal function of the tissue

The inflammation process starts by widening of the vessels, through that the blood supply is increased, the blood flow decreases and as a result the tissue becomes red, local increase in temperature due to the above follows. After that the penetrability of the vessels increases leading to exudation of leukocytes, macrophages and plasma into the injured tissue – swelling, that through compressing the nerve endings causes pain and abnormal functioning. The inflammation is regulated by the inflammatory mediators – histamine, serotonin and others. The process of forming of free radicals is intensified in the damaged tissue.

There are several forms of inflammation:

• Acute inflammation – less then 2 months
• Subacute inflammation – less then 6 months
• Chronic inflammation – more then 6 months

Any kind of inflammation in its development goes through 3 stages that are expressed differently in each case:

• Alteration - damage of cells and tissue.
• Exudation – exudation of liquid and blood cells from the vessels into the tissue
• Proliferation - replication of cells and tissue accretion as a result of which the tissue heals itself

Accordingly we can divide:

• Alterative inflammation
• Exudative inflammation
• Productive(proliferative) inflammation

Many disease can manifest in inflammation they should be treated properly and on time.