Inflammation

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection. It's the underlying cause of many diseases and can manifest with redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

When tissues in your body are damaged, your immune system releases chemicals that:

• Dilate blood vessels to allow more immune cells to reach the site of inflammation


• Increase blood flow to the area, causing redness and heat


• Make blood vessels more permeable so fluids and cells can leak into tissues, leading to swelling


• Stimulate nerve endings, resulting in pain

This inflammatory response helps destroy invaders, remove debris, and promote healing. Short-term inflammation is protective and necessary. However, chronic inflammation can damage tissues over time and increase disease risk.

Common causes include:

• Infections from bacteria, viruses, etc.


• Autoimmune disorders


• Exposure to toxins like air pollutants


• Tissue damage from injuries, burns, radiation


• Poor lifestyle habits like smoking, obesity, stress

To reduce excessive inflammation, try these science-based tips:

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts


• Exercise regularly


• Lose weight if overweight


• Don't smoke


• Reduce stress through yoga, meditation


• Consider anti-inflammatory supplements like curcumin, omega-3s, etc. But check with your doctor first!

At Optimal Hormone Wellness Center, we help patients optimize their hormone levels to fight inflammation from the inside out. Balanced hormones can reduce systemic inflammation. Schedule a consultation today to see if our anti-inflammatory hormone therapy could help you!

I hope this gives you a good overview of what inflammation is, what causes it, and how to reduce it for better health. Let me know if you have any other questions!