Inflammation – Friend or Foe? – Plus More about AI

Group 1 - Inflammation can be classified as either acute or chronic, with acute inflammation being beneficial for healing and chronic inflammation being harmful to health [1][2][6] - Acute inflammation is a short-term response to injury, while chronic inflammation can persist for months or years and is linked to various diseases [21][22] - Chronic inflammation is associated with serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contributing to a significant portion of global mortality [22][31] Group 2 - The inflammatory process involves various mediators, including histamines, cytokines, and immune cells, which play roles in both acute and chronic inflammation [12][13][15] - Chronic inflammation can result from the body's inability to eliminate harmful substances or from autoimmune disorders where the immune system attacks healthy tissues [26][28] - Lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and physical inactivity can contribute to chronic inflammation, while a healthy diet and active lifestyle may help mitigate it [32][33] Group 3 - Treatments for chronic inflammation include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics, each with their own benefits and risks [34][36][38] - NSAIDs work by inhibiting prostaglandins, while corticosteroids mimic cortisol to reduce inflammation, and biologics target specific inflammatory agents [35][37][38] - Managing chronic inflammation is crucial due to its association with various diseases and overall health deterioration [41]