Your body has several systems in place to protect itself from foreign materials like harmful bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms. The white blood cells are the primary defense which produces substances protecting us from infection. Some diseases, however, come from holes and issues with that same system. The most prominent of these diseases is arthritis, and the pain from arthritis is due to inflammation. Inflammation is intended as the body’s way of signaling that it is damaged or in danger of infection. Left untreated, this inflammation can be a severe source of chronic pain that interferes with daily life, causing unnecessary stress and making it difficult to finish tasks.
When your white blood cells detect an abnormality, they are released into the affected area to prevent the spread of infection while attacking the source. In order to achieve this, they release chemicals that increase blood flow to the area where the injury or infection occurred. While the increased blood flow is effective at hindering the foreign invaders, it also causes swelling in the surrounding muscle tissues due to a fluid leak. The swelling is what starts stimulating sensitive nerves, pressing onto their roots and causing pain. If the swelling persists, joints can irritate the cartilage (bone cushioning) and wear it down.
When your immune system responds to an imagined threat, it can cause damage to its own tissues. In a sense, your body is giving itself too much medicine, overreacting to an infection or abnormality that is not even there. When this occurs, you can start feeling painful inflammatory symptoms such as:
Inflammation can also have painful side effects even when it is doing its job. The response can mix in with general symptoms often associated with the flu, including:
A number of treatments are available for chronic pain caused by inflammation. While the best treatment differs between patients, it often involves a mixture of rest, exercise, and medications. In more extreme cases, some surgery may be required to correct joint damage. If you believe you are in pain due to inflammation, you can find effective pain treatment in New Jersey through Garden State Pain Center. Our doctors have a combined 50 years of experience and stay up to date on contemporary pain treatment methods. Contact one of our several offices in New Jersey today to schedule an appointment.