Inflammation is the defensive mechanism of the body’s immune system in conditions of an infection by
a pathogen (germ) like bacteria, virus, or fungi; external injuries like scrapes or damage through foreign
bodies; or effects of chemicals or radiations. The white blood cells are dispatched to the affected site to
heal the injury or removal of the unwanted invaders.
Inflammation may be mainly classified as acute and chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation occurs in
conditions as mentioned above and chronic inflammations are more longstanding and damaging to the
organs of the body and are seen in conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, etc.
The acute inflammation takes place in 3 main phases.
Phase 1 – Acute swelling stage
This stage is characterized by the classic signs of inflammation which are
- Rubor- redness or erythema of the affected site due to the increased blood flow to the region as
- a result of vasodilation.
- Calor- Increase in temperature of the region
- Dolar- Pain in the region
- Tumor – Swelling due to the cellular and soft tissue infiltrate which mainly contains neutrophils
- Functio laesa – Loss of function of the part
This stage may last for the first few minutes, hours or days of an infection or injury.
Phase 2 – Subacute regenerative stage
This stage lasts from 2 days to 8 weeks where regeneration of the tissue occurs and a layer of loosely
laid collagen fibers is formed which becomes the scar tissue. The heat, pain, redness and swelling
reduce during this stage, but excessive stretching of the scar tissue may lead to breakage of the collagen
network.
Phase 3 – Chronic scar tissue maturation and remodeling
This stage may extend from few months to many years to complete, where lesser number of new
collagen fibers are formed, but the collagen network is rearranged and organized to form stronger
bonds. This stage allows improved range of motion of the affected part.
The possible complications of an acute inflammation maybe damage to normal tissue, obstruction of
vessels, or compression of vital organs, etc.
There are tests like ESR, CRP, ferritin and fibrinogen, which help to diagnose the presence of an
inflammation in the body.
The allopathic medical management of an acute inflammation is done primarily using anti-inflammatory
drugs known as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are not always safe to use.
There are very effective drugs in homoeopathy for all kinds of inflammation and may be prescribed by a
homoeopathic physician according to the symptomatology of the patient.