Inflammation and Arthritis
Find out more about inflammation and arthritis, including symptoms, risks, and complications

What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a reaction by the body's white blood cells and chemicals to help protect the body from foreign germs. However, sometimes the body's defense system (immune system) triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.

Inflammation diseases

Some types of arthritis are the result of inflammation. Arthritis is actually a general term to describe inflammation in joints. Some types of arthritis associated with inflammation include rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or bursitis, gouty arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica
Osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative arthritis) is the most common form of arthritis and is a bit of a misnomer. It is not believed that inflammation plays much or any role in osteoarthritis. Fibromyalgia, muscular low back pain and muscular neck pain are other painful conditions of the joints and musculoskeletal system that are not associated with inflammation.

Inflammation Symptoms

Inflammation is characterized by redness, a swollen joint that's warm to touch, joint pain and stiffness, and loss of joint function. It is common for only a few of these symptoms to be present. Inflammation may also be associated with general flu-like symptoms including chills, fatigue, headaches, appetite loss, muscle stiffness, and fever.

Cause of Inflammation Symptoms

Chemicals from the body are released into the blood or affected tissues when inflammation occurs. This release of chemicals increases the blood flow to the area of injury or infection; it may result in redness and warmth. Swelling may result when some of the chemicals cause a leak of fluid into the tissues,. This process may stimulate nerves and cause pain.
Joint Inflammation Results

The eventual consequence of inflammation is irritation, wearing down of cartilage at the end of the bones, and swelling in the joint lining.
Diagnosing inflammatory diseases
Diagnosis requires a complete physical exam and medical history, location of painful joints, presence of joint stiffness and pain in the morning, X-rays, and evaluations of other symptoms.

Inflammation Health Risks

Inflammation can affect internal organs. Inflammation of the heart, for example, causes chest pain or fluid retention. Inflammation of the tubes that transport air to the lungs causes symptoms similar to that of an asthma attack. Inflammation of kidneys may cause kidney failure or hypertension, while inflammation of the large intestine causes cramps and diarrheas. The type of symptoms depends on which organs are affected. For example:
As many organs don’t have pain-sensitive nerves, pain may not be a main symptom for any of these different types of inflammation. Organ inflammation is directed at the cause of inflammation whenever possible.