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Inflammation is our body’s natural response to trauma, the presence of an infection or infectious disease.  A foreign body such as a splinter.  An undiscovered splinter will “fester.”   An allergy or allergic reaction.

This reaction can appear in minutes, if not seconds, of the body finding an invasion of something foreign present.  Bacteria and viruses included.  A fever is a response of the immune system.

The Lymphatic System has Lymph Nodes located throughout the body in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen. The fluid in this system contains several types of white blood cells ready to protect us from invaders.

Part of our body’s immune system, white blood cells travel to the site involved to remove the toxins from infection and foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses, that maybe present.   White blood cells are produced in our bone marrow.

Sings of inflammation include fever, pain, redness, swelling, a possible decrease in motion, and the feeling of heat.

Arthritis is a disease of inflammation.

I recall getting a splinter once from a cracked broom handle.  In one of my fingers I really didn’t notice it at the time.  Days after I began to notice the spot. Pain to the touch and a swelling like a blister.  Unable to figure it out I suffered with it for a few more days and finally growing tired of the discomfort I began pushing and squeezing on it.  I could feel something poking me in there.

It was festering.  I know this is disgusting but if you have ever had something fester you know of the nasty green stuff that emerges when you pop it.   Just your body’s way of yelling at you “Hey, Look Here!”

Well I popped it and was amazed at the size of that splinter.  It only hurt when I pushed on it by touching something.  I suppose the splinter wasn’t deep enough to trigger a pain response but my white blood cells surly went after it.

Most times our immune system’s inflammatory response is a good thing being our body’s first line of defense.  A normal and healthy response.  The first thing telling you, or someone else, something is wrong.  One of the first tests a doctor will do is run your blood work.  When the white blood cell count is elevated this is a red flag that something is wrong.  The Diagnosis will continue.

Other times the inflammatory response is not so positive.  We suffer from a list of inflammatory disorders. Many are debilitating such as arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, and carpel tunnel.  Cancer cells have this effect.  Over exercising and muscle strain.

 The result in the immune system attacking the body’s healthy cells or tissues and may cause abnormal inflammation, which results in chronic pain, redness, swelling, stiffness, and damage to normal tissues.

Stopping this unhealthy response and allowing the body to heal is the job of anti-inflammatory drugs.  The sad part of these drugs they all have dangerous side effect without exception.

Food is a great way to aid your body’s healthy responses.  Enjoyable too.  Increased blood flow to the area through motion.

Understanding it all takes some time.  Information abounds on the net and your doctor certainly can help.