What is inflammation?
Ask the doctor
Published: February, 2017
Q. I often hear that inflammation is dangerous, especially in terms of contributing to heart disease. But what exactly is inflammation, and how do I know if I have it?
A. Think of inflammation as the body's natural response to protect itself against harm. There are two types: acute and chronic. You're probably more familiar with the acute type, which occurs when you bang your knee or cut your finger. Your immune system dispatches an army of white blood cells to surround and protect the area, creating visible redness and swelling. The process works similarly if you have an infection like the flu or pneumonia. So in these settings, inflammation is essential—without it, injuries could fester and simple infections could be deadly.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-disease-overview/ask-the-doctor-what-is-inflammation
