Inflammation: everything you need to know
In this article, a consultant rheumatologist provides an overview of inflammation and when patients should seek a medical diagnosis.
What is inflammation, and what is abnormal?
Inflammation is part of the body's natural response to damage or infections; it should subside when the issue is resolved. However, if the inflammation persists, there is likely an underlying disease that is not the body's natural response. In such a case, other symptoms arise, such as:
- weight loss
- fatigue
- joint pain
- hair loss
- skin rashes
These symptoms are often indicative of an autoimmune disease.
What is an autoimmune disease?
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakes the enemy. Instead of fighting viruses and bacteria of external origin, it fights our own body. This can affect the gut, the nervous system, and the thyroid, and can cause several conditions such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- connective tissue diseases
- lupus, psoriasis
- ankylosing spondylitis
Eventually, the inflammation becomes systemic and chronic.
What kind of pain is associated with inflammatory issues?
- When we face pain, we always have to distinguish two kinds of pain from a clinical point of view:
- Mechanical pain, which occurs after exerting or injuring the body, arising from situations such as after a long hike, or falling off a ledge.
Inflammatory pain, which occurs when the body is even at rest, such as in the middle of the night or right at the beginning of the day.
How are inflammation and associated pain investigated?
The starting point for physicians is always a detailed medical history, both of the patient and their family; most of the inflammatory autoimmune conditions have a genetic predisposition, so there will likely be relatives that are also affected.
This is then a clinical examination of the body and the symptoms. Then what follows is blood testing and imaging, and with that information, doctors can determine the final diagnosis as well as the degree of progression of the condition.
How are autoimmune and inflammatory conditions treated?
Treatment options are varied, and more emerge every year. They depend, of course, on the underlying issue. Immunosuppressants used to be the standard, used in all cases, but they had adverse side effects and weren’t customizable for individual patients. Now, biologic treatments are available, which are monoclonal antibodies that can target specific molecules in the blood, and instead of giving full immunosuppression, they only cause really minor side effects and provide incredibly great outcomes.
Research and science are moving forward, and we will be able to treat autoimmune conditions in the same way as we are treating cancer. Sooner than later, we will be able to biopsy the affected tissue and find the specific molecule that is affected and provide targeted treatment for the disease.
What can I do at home to reduce inflammation?
Persistent low-grade inflammation, also known as chronic inflammation, is associated with ageing. There isn't one supplement that will get rid of chronic inflammation or low-grade inflammation; rather, it’s about lifestyle, which is why exercise, good dietary habits, and quality of sleep are very important to keep low-grade inflammation in check.
How do I know that my chronic inflammatory pain needs a specialist opinion?
Ideally, if physicians are able to stop the progression of the disease, then they can prevent any damage done to tissues and bone, so the earlier it is diagnosed, the sooner the progression is stopped. If the diagnosis is delayed, damage may not be reversible.
