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What is inflammation? Inflammation can be acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is defined by a sudden onset of the signs and symptoms described above, and usually follows some type of injury. Chronic inflammation occurs when the signs of inflammation persist, although they are less intense than during the acute stage. Injuries The two most common injuries encountered are accidents (i.e. falls, motor vehicle collisions) and sports injuries. You don't have to be an athlete to have a sports injury. In fact, the occasional jogger is just as susceptible to injuries as the marathon runner. In either case, sports injuries represent damage to tissues of the muscle and skeletal systems including the bones, muscles, tendons, bursa and joints. When accidents such as falls or motor vehicle collisions occur, the same tissues can be damaged. When these tissues become inflamed, there is usually a significant amount of pain and loss of function. This can disrupt the lifestyle of the person affected, and even affect his or her ability to work. There is another type of injury that leads to inflammation, and this is caused in the workplace. Many people don't consider themselves "injured" because there is no specific "fall" or "accident". Rather, in this type of injury, tissue damage occurs over a longer period of time. This type of injury is usually caused by performing the same activity over and over again, leading to tissue damage or fatigue. It is often referred to as Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). In RSI the inflammation can be significant. Inflammatory Illness A very common principle in the treatment of inflammation caused by injuries is the RICE principle (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Getting rest and avoiding the activity that caused the injury is important in the initial stage of an injury, usually until the inflammation subsides. This is most important in the first 24 - 72 hours following the injury. Icing the inflamed area helps reduce the blood flow to the region, thereby reducing the amount of chemicals in the blood that are responsible for exacerbating the inflammation. Compressing the injured area by applying pressure helps counteract the outward pressure caused by the inflammation, thereby relieving pain. Elevation of the affected area helps encourage blood return to the heart and lungs, thereby decreasing the amount of blood, inflammatory chemicals and swelling in the injured area. Nutritional supplementation is important in the maintenance of healthy tissue. Vitamin C is very important in the formation of collagen tissue and therefore helps prevent injuries and repair tissue damage caused by inflammation. A deficiency in Vitamin C has been correlated with defective formation of tendons. Vitamin C is also important for wound healing through its antioxidant activity. Other antioxidants that can be beneficial in wound and tissue healing are Vitamins A & E, Selenium, Citrus Bioflavonoids and Grape Seed Extract. A good quality, high potency Multi-Vitamin and Mineral supplement also helps maintain health of all tissues, making it an important part of preventing and treating tissue damage. There are many approaches to nutritional supplementation in the treatment and prevention of inflammation. The best approach for you should be discussed with your health care provider. By far, the most well researched supplements in the treatment of inflammation caused by illness are the 'Essential Fatty Acids'. Essential fatty acids supply the body with energy. They are important components of nerve cells, cell membranes, and hormone like substances called Prostaglandins in the body. Linoleic Acid and Linolenic Acid are essential fatty acids that can be provided by plant foods but are destroyed in most processing of foods today, leading to deficiencies. A lack of essential fatty acids has been implicated in many chronic degenerative diseases. Its supplementation is considered useful in the prevention or treatment of over 60 health conditions including heart diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis), skin diseases, inflammation, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, allergies and stroke. Eighty percent of our population consumes insufficient quantities of essential fatty acids. The best source of essential fatty acid is organic unrefined flax seed oil, which contains high amounts of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (alpha linolenic) and Omega-6 Fatty Acids (linoleic). Flax oil contains double the amount of Omega-3 found in fish oils. |
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* WhipLash * (Inflammation Article) | |||||||||||||||||
| Whiplash is a term used to describe an injury to the soft tissues - the
muscles, ligaments and nerves - of your neck. Many people suffer from whiplash
after being in a car accident, especially if they are hit from behind. In many
cases, people with whiplash can experience pain in the neck, shoulders, arms and
even low back! Other symptoms include headaches, dizziness, difficulty
swallowing, and difficulty sleeping. Many people do not correlate their
symptoms to a car accident because symptoms often begin days or even weeks
following the accident. Your Chiropractor specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash injuries. He or she can assess your condition to identify any injuries to the joints in your spine as well as your muscles, ligaments and tendons. Inflammation causes most of the initial pain related to whiplash injuries. In the early stages of whiplash, the pain can be intense and lead to anxiety about the chances for recovery. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to individuals with whiplash. Treatment may include exercise to increase strength and flexibility and decrease healing time. Other treatment options include spinal adjustments, ice therapy and nutritional supplementation. Therapeutic supports such as specially designed cervical spine pillows may also be beneficial. Your chiropractor will help you decide which treatment is best for you. Treating Inflammation
Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate are well established for their anti-inflammatory influence on arthritic joints. Another supplement that has gained much popularity recently is MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane). MSM contains 34% bio-available organic sulfur. Sulfur is an essential mineral found in every cell and membrane of our bodies. Sulfur concentration in arthritic cartilage has been shown to be about one-third the level compared to normal cartilage. MSM may offer significant control of arthritic pain as a safe, non-toxic method. The most widely accepted benefits of MSM include:
Other supplements that may be used to treat inflammation include:
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