What Is Inflammation?
When you think of arthritis, you think of inflammation. Inflammation is a process in which the body’s white blood cells and chemicals help protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.
In some diseases, however, the body’s defense system (immune system) triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.
What Diseases Are Associated With Inflammation?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Gouty arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
The most common form of arthritis called osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative arthritis) is a bit of a misnomer. It is NOT believed that inflammation plays a major role in osteoarthritis.
Other painful conditions of the joints and musculoskeletal system that are NOT associated with inflammation include fibromyalgia, muscular low back pain, and muscular neck pain.
