The importance of the Acute and Chronic Inflammatory Process
The inflammatory process is closely related to our immune system and, surprisingly, to our emotions. Our self-esteem and immune system are deeply connected, which reinforces the importance of taking care of both.
The immune system, in charge of our defenses, is made up of millions of cells of various types that are programmed to identify, attack and destroy agents that the body considers harmful or invading. These cells are constantly patrolling our body and, when they encounter an invader, they eliminate it through phagocytosis.
Functions of Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural and crucial response for survival, as it helps our body to:
- Fight infections, eliminating bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.
- Repair damaged tissues, promoting healing and regeneration.
- Protect against future injury by strengthening tissues and creating a barrier against new invaders.
The immune system is powerful and keeps us protected throughout our lives, reacting to toxic or unknown substances through various manifestations, such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or producing mucus and phlegm.
Types of Inflammation
Inflammation can be classified in a variety of ways, depending on its duration, location, or cause:
- Acute inflammation:
- Rapid response that starts immediately and lasts a short time.
- Objective: To remove the causative agent of the injury or infection and repair the damaged tissue.
- Characteristics: Redness, warmth, swelling and pain in the affected area.
- Example: The reaction to an insect bite
- Chronic inflammation:a:
- Respuesta prolongada que dura semanas, meses o incluso años.
- Causas: Infecciones persistentes, enfermedades autoinmunes, exposición a toxinas, etc.
- Características: Destrucción de tejidos, fibrosis y formación de granulomas.
- Types:
- Chronic low-grade inflammation: Low-intensity systemic inflammation, associated with diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
- Granulomatous inflammation: It is characterized by the formation of granulomas, accumulations of immune cells that try to isolate the causative agent.
- Allergic inflammation: An exaggerated response of the immune system to normally harmless substances, such as allergens.
- Other classifications:
- According to the cause: Infectious, traumatic, chemical, physical, immunological.
- Depending on the location: Localized (affects a specific area) or systemic (affects the whole body).
- According to the duration: Acute, subacute or chronic.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)
A clear example of how chronic inflammation affects our body is the case of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These include conditions such as:
- CIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
- Celiac disease
- Chronic intestinal inflammation
- Obesity
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn's disease
- Colitis Ulcerosa
- Lactose intolerance
- Diverticulitis
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Colorectal cancer
All of these diseases have one thing in common: chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. In many of them, inflammation is triggered by abnormal immune responses in the intestines, resulting in symptoms such as pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.
Impact of Chronic Inflammation
When inflammation becomes chronic, the body needs large amounts of energy to repair itself constantly. Not only does this exhaust the body, but it can also lead to a number of complications, including autoimmune, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases.
Stress, both physical and emotional, also plays a key role in activating or suppressing the immune system. When stress is intense, the body can overrespond, even attacking its own tissues. On the other hand, in emotional states such as deep depression, the immune system can become depressed, making it difficult to respond to infections and diseases.
How to prevent and manage chronic inflammation?
While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for chronic inflammation, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce it and prevent its consequences. Some recommendations include:
- Healthy eating: Prioritize foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
- Regular exercise: Perform physical activity on a regular basis.
- Stress management: Practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
- Get enough sleep: Restful sleep is essential for good health.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Lose weight if necessary.
- Avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
Obesity, especially visceral fat accumulation is closely linked to chronic low-grade inflammation. This form of inflammation is particularly problematic when we notice an increase in the abdomen, along with a feeling of heaviness after eating, which is aggravated with age due to slower and more complicated digestion.
One of the main reasons why many people find it difficult to lose weight is the coexistence of conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other digestive disorders. Before starting any weight loss process, it is crucial to correct these underlying issues, as they directly influence overall health and the body's ability to function optimally.
In addition, addressing chronic inflammation not only helps with weight management, but is also key to preventing premature aging and other degenerative diseases. Knowledge about the different types of inflammation and their impact on the body is vital to making accurate diagnoses and selecting appropriate treatments. By identifying and treating inflammation early, not only are long-term complications avoided, but quality of life is also significantly improved, allowing people to stay healthy and vital for longer.
In short, chronic inflammation is a contributing factor to multiple health problems, including obesity. By treating this imbalance in the body, substantial improvements in overall well-being can be achieved, supporting longevity and healthy aging.
Dr. Eduardo González C.
ALIANZAS ESTRATÉGICAS INTERNACIONALES
