Inflammation is the body's protective response to irritation, injury, or infection. When tissues are damaged by things like pathogens, physical trauma, chemicals, or heat, the body triggers an inflammatory reaction. This causes blood vessels to dilate and leak fluid into the tissues, resulting in swelling, redness, heat, and pain—the classic signs of inflammation.
Key aspects of acute inflammation include:
- Vasodilation - blood vessels widen to allow more blood to flow to the area
- Increased vascular permeability - blood vessels become "leaky" to allow fluids, proteins, and cells to enter the tissue
- Plasma extravasation - fluid builds up in the tissues, causing swelling
- Leukocyte migration - white blood cells like neutrophils and macrophages are recruited to the site to eliminate pathogens and damaged cells
- Pain - caused by compression from swelling and by chemical mediators
This
acute inflammatory response is crucial for
healing. It brings nutrients and immune cells to the tissue to remove debris, fight infection, and begin repairs.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is an excessive and prolonged inflammatory response that fails to resolve and instead causes more tissue damage. This is seen in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Hormonal imbalances can also drive systemic inflammation in the body. At
Hormone Harmony Clinic, we specialize in customized
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help patients find their optimal hormone balance. Balancing key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormone, cortisol, and DHEA can drastically reduce inflammatory markers throughout the body. This not only relieves painful inflammatory symptoms but also lowers risk for chronic inflammatory diseases down the road.
Our exceptional physicians devise HRT regimens tailored to each patient's unique needs, lifestyle factors, and health goals. We monitor progress with follow-up labs and exams to ensure hormones are optimized for anti-inflammatory benefits without side effects. If you struggle with inexplicable fatigue, weight gain, hot flashes, low libido, or other issues that may stem from a hormonal imbalance, we encourage you to book a consultation. Regaining hormonal equilibrium could be the missing piece to resolving distressing symptoms and avoiding disease.
Let us help you feel your best from the inside out!