Inflammatie

Inflammatie, or inflammation, is the body's protective response to tissue injury, infection, or irritants. It involves changes in blood flow, increased vascular permeability, and the recruitment of immune cells to the affected area with the aim of eliminating the cause of injury, clearing damaged tissue, and promoting healing.

Mediators released during inflammatie, such as histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and cytokines, trigger vasodilation and edema, and attract leukocytes (neutrophils early, followed by macrophages). This immune activity helps contain pathogens and begin tissue repair, but it can also cause pain and loss of function in the affected region.

There are two main forms: acute inflammation, which develops quickly and lasts a short time (hours to days) and often resolves with restoration of normal tissue; and chronic inflammation, which persists for weeks or longer and can lead to tissue damage, fibrosis, or granuloma formation. Signs commonly observed include redness, heat, swelling, pain, and sometimes reduced function of the involved organ or limb.

Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment and may be supported by laboratory tests (for example, C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and imaging. In some cases, biopsy is needed to determine cause.

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying trigger and reducing harmful inflammation. Options include rest and local care, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and, for chronic inflammatory diseases, disease-modifying therapies. Prevention emphasizes control of risk factors and management of chronic conditions to minimize recurrent inflammation. The Dutch term inflammatie is commonly used to describe this process.