What’s the Difference Between Acute Inflammation and Chronic Inflammation?

Inflammation occurs when it responds to a damage in the cells or tissues from pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria or toxins. Symptoms of inflammation include redness, swelling, swollen joints warm to the touch, pain and loss of joint function. Inflammation can also be associated with flu-like symptoms such as a fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and muscle stiffness.  

Acute inflammation is an important part of our first line of defenses against disease and resolves in a shorter period of time.  Once the damage in our body is resolved-healing is completed, or an infection is neutralized- the body switches to anti-inflammatory mode and things return is normal. The symptoms of inflammation are no longer existing. 

Chronic inflammation occurs when acute inflammation doesn’t resolve things and the body creates a chronic inflammatory state in response to a lingering a low-grade infection which can be depleting. Chronic inflammation is a known factor in many serious diseases including cancers, heart disease, auto-immune diseases, asthma, depression and bone disorders.