Probably, each of us has experienced what inflammation is, whether it is a wound or a pathological process in any organ. Such a response of the body can be very dangerous and at the same time it is necessary as a defense. We will talk about what forms, types of inflammation are further. And also consider how this process proceeds, and try to find out the reasons for its occurrence. Let's not forget about the methods of treatment.
Inflammation - what is it?
It is generally accepted that this is the body's response to the action of various pathogens and foreign agents. Tissue damage often also ends with this pathology. This is a protective reaction of the body in the form of a process that is aimed at concentrating, destroying the agent that caused tissue damage.
Inflammation can develop in organs and tissues. How it will proceed depends on the general condition of the person, and this process affects the entire body, regardless of where or in which organ it occurs.
The regulation of this process is carried out through the central nervous system. Pathogenic microbes aggressively affect an organ or tissue, causing in the affected areainflammatory process. It is aimed at repairing damage and healing from disease.
Even local pathology cannot be considered without evaluating the state of the whole organism.
Inflammation is present in many diseases. In the names of some, it is even customary to add the ending “it” if there is a given pathological process in the organs. For example: bronchitis, pleurisy, gastritis. But diseases such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, empyema retained their name.
Stages of inflammation
Any disease goes through several stages in its development. In the inflammatory process, there are three of them:
- Damage.
- Exudation.
- Productive stage.
Let's look at them in more detail.
The essence of damage
The first stage is damage. It is the foundation from which any process begins. It appears as a result of the influence of an external or internal pathogenic factor, and then disturbances in neighboring tissues and throughout the body as a whole will join. There are two things to consider at this stage:
- Primary tissue damage.
- Local reactions and general changes in the body. They can affect damage both positively and negatively.
It is customary to distinguish between primary and secondary damage. Primary arises under the influence of pathogenic factors, develops in the center of inflammation. It is characterized by a pronounced violation of the functions and structure of cells. Secondary damage is characterized by the influence of the same factors and the responsereaction of adjacent tissues and the organism as a whole. It is characterized by changes in the structure and function of cells, blood vessels, as well as changes around the focus of inflammation.
When damaged, cells die and proteo-, glyco-, lipolytic enzymes are released, and they contribute to the destruction of membranes. Acid products accumulate in the affected area and redox processes are disturbed. At this stage, the process enters the stage of exudation.
Exudation
At the initial stage of exudation, there is a reflex expansion of capillaries. Blood rushes to the inflamed area, it noticeably turns red. The walls of the vessels become very permeable, and protein and blood enzymes penetrate into the adjacent tissue. As a result, an inflammatory effusion is formed - exudate. At this point, swelling of the damaged area becomes noticeable.
Also, there is an absorption by phagocytes of bodies of living or inanimate origin, this is the process of phagocytosis. It may be completed or incomplete. In the first case, the absorbed particles are digested inside the cells. If the process is not completed, the cells are not digested, but persist and multiply for a long time.
At the final stage, there is an accumulation in the tissues of cellular elements with an admixture of blood and lymph. The process then proceeds to the third stage of inflammation.
Productive stage
This stage begins after exudation, when the process of phagocytosis is incomplete. Macrophages in the focus of inflammation actively multiply and secrete monokines, which contribute to theirreproduction and formation of new blood vessels. This site is dominated by lymphocytes and plasmocytes. Gradually, they are destroyed and already fibroblasts predominate.
As a result, a new connective tissue is formed.
Classifying inflammation
In order to classify the types of inflammation, the following must be considered:
- The nature of the process.
- Inflammation phase.
The nature of the flow can be:
- Acute, it lasts no more than 4-6 weeks.
- Subacute.
- Chronic.
Phases of the inflammatory process:
- Exudative.
- Productive.
Next, consider what varieties exist, what are the causes that cause inflammation.
Types, causes of pathology
In order to find out the type of inflammation and its cause, to prescribe an effective treatment, you need to know what stage it is in, namely in the exudation or in the productive stage.
There are these types of acute inflammation:
- Serous. The cause of development are chemical factors, toxins, poisons. It can develop on the skin, in connective tissues, mucous membranes and serous membranes.
- Fibrinous. The cause of development can be coccal flora, mycobacteria, some viruses, diphtheria bacillus, corynebacterium, toxic factors. The process can be localized on the skin, in the pharynx, on mucous membranes, in wounds, in the bladder, intestines, uterus, vagina, stomach.
- Purulent. Provocateurs are pyogenic microbes that can settle in any organ or tissue. May be acute or chronic. There are such types of purulent inflammation:
- Abscess.
- Phlegmon.
- Empyema.
- Festering wound.
4. Putrid. The cause of development is putrefactive microflora, which can get into the focus of inflammation. Such a process can easily develop in a weakened person, with chronic inflammation, non-healing abscesses.
5. Hemorrhagic. The reason is the high permeability of blood vessels against the background of the development of serous or purulent inflammation. Often develops against the background of a viral infection.
6. Mixed. It develops against the background of any infection, allergic reaction, chemical and thermal damage.
The skin can develop any variety from the above list, but these types of skin inflammations develop predominantly:
- Inflammation in eczema.
- Inflammatory process in dermatitis.
- Pyoderma, or purulent inflammation.
- Erysipelas.
Signs
Types of inflammation differ in that they may have a different pathogen. But there are signs that are characteristic of any kind of this process in the body. Here are some of them.
Local signs:
- The damaged area turns red.
- Swelling and swelling appear.
- The body temperature rises. The site of inflammation becomeshot.
- Pain appears.
- The functions of damaged tissues are impaired.
Common signs:
- The level of leukocytes in the blood is increased.
- Increased body temperature.
- The quantity and quality of the composition of blood plasma proteins is changing.
- ESR increases.
- The amount of hormones in the blood changes.
These signs will have any kind of inflammation. Pathology of organs and tissues occurs during the course of long chronic inflammatory processes. More on that later.
Features of chronic inflammation
Depending on what causes the development of this process, there are different types of chronic inflammation. They are completely dependent on the agent who summoned them.
The reason for development may be:
- The presence of microbes and fungi that have a good survival rate in the human body.
- Prolonged exposure to organs or tissues of damaging factors, foreign organisms.
- Chronic increase in blood levels of glucocorticoids and catecholamines in chronic stress.
- Immune auto-aggression. These are diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis.
- The inability of cells that absorb foreign and harmful particles, viruses and bacteria to perform their functions. Perhaps due to congenital pathology, acquired or due to hereditary genesis.
Chronic inflammation can occur as repetitive acute processes.
There is a so-called primarychronic inflammation that is sluggish because a weakened immune system does not respond to foreign bacteria.
A feature of the pathology of a chronic nature is that it becomes the basis for the development of diseases that lead people to disability and to the appearance of very serious complications.
Principles of treatment
There are different types of inflammation, as we found out earlier. But the principle of treatment that is used for different cases is the same.
So, consider the principles of therapy:
- Initially, it is necessary to influence the damaging factor in order to stop the process of cell destruction. To do this, use antibiotics, immune sera.
- Anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out locally or with an effect on the entire body. This is vaccine therapy, autohemotherapy.
- Using anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Use antagonists and inhibitors of biologically active substances.
- For local inflammation, vasoconstrictor drugs are used.
- Also locally affect the foci of the inflammatory process. For example, apply cold.
- Following a diet, a he althy lifestyle is necessary to increase the body's defenses.
Take care of yourself, strengthen your immune system and lead a he althy lifestyle, then there will be no chance for inflammation to develop. But at the first manifestations of the symptoms of this pathology, it is necessary to consult a doctor without waiting for complications.
