Inflammation

Acute inflammation (the good kind)

• Short term, lasting hours to days

• Triggered by injury, infection, or irritants

• Helps destroy harmful agents and repair tissue

• Symptoms: redness, heat, swelling, pain, temporary loss of function

Acute inflammation is essential — without it, minor injuries or infections could become life?threatening.

Chronic inflammation (the harmful kind)

Chronic inflammation persists for months or years and can occur even when there’s no injury. It may be caused by:

• Persistent infections

• Autoimmune disorders

• Exposure to toxins

• Poor diet, smoking, stress, or inactivity

It’s linked to major diseases, including:

• Heart disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Cancer

• Alzheimer’s

• Arthritis