What is inflammation? Q&A with Dr. Mike Ren

Inflammation is a defense mechanism process that allows the body to heal from injury and infection. Dr. Mike Ren, primary care physician and assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor, explains the condition and how to manage it.

Q: What is inflammation?
A: Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection and other potentially harmful stimuli. It’s part of the immune system and is meant to protect and heal the body. There are two types of inflammation:

• Acute inflammation: Short-term response (e.g., swelling after a cut or injury).
• Chronic inflammation: Long-term, low-grade inflammation that may contribute to serious health conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease).

Q: What causes inflammation?
A: Acute inflammation can occur from infections, allergens, irritants or physical injuries, such as cuts, burns or trauma.

Chronic inflammation may stem from:

• Persistent infections or autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis).
• Long-term exposure to irritants (e.g., polluted air, smoking).
• Poor lifestyle choices (e.g., unhealthy diet).

Q: What are signs of inflammation?
A: Signs of acute inflammation include redness, heat, swelling and pain. Chronic inflammation symptoms are more subtle but can present as fatigue, generalized ache/pain or joint stiffness, digestive issues, frequent infections or low-grade fever.

Q: Who is most at-risk for inflammation issues?
A: People at higher risk include:

• Older adults (think arthritis and joint inflammation).
• People with obesity or metabolic syndrome.
• People with autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis).
• Smokers.
• Individuals with poor diets (high sugar, high saturated fat).
• People under chronic stress or poor sleep.

Q: How do you manage/prevent inflammation?
A: Treatment and prevention is dependent on what causes your inflammation.

If you have inflammation in your gut, then eating an anti-inflammatory diet can help mitigate inflammatory effects. Inflammatory foods include processed meat, deep-fried foods and foods high in sugar. Instead of eating French fries, someone wanting to have a low inflammatory diet should try to substitute a baked potato or sweet potato instead.

If you have inflammation in your joints, then taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen can help.

Steroids and immunomodulators often are prescribed for chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease.

Learn more about Baylor Medicine Family Medicine.

By Homa Warren