Infections: Your comprehensive guide

 Infections may be a major cause of recovery, and may be the cause of some chronic diseases, so we offer you everything related to infections in this article.

Infections help repair a wound or fight disease, but if the immune cells start to work excessively, that inflammation can go against us, causing many diseases and serious complications. Here is the most important information related to infections:

Infections: definition

Inflammation is a natural and protective reaction of the body to infectious organisms, such as:  bacteria , or viruses, but if this inflammation does not stop in time, then immediate medical intervention is required.

Characteristic signs of inflammation

There are several symptoms that tell you that you suffer from infections, which are the following:

·  Inflamed areas are warm.

·  Pain in the joints .

·  Swelling and redness of the affected area.

·  fever and  feeling cold

·  Fatigue and loss of energy.

·  Headache and loss of appetite.

Causes of infections

The following are the main reasons why the body is exposed to infections:

·        Microbial infection, whether bacteria or various viruses.

·        Exposure to trauma, such as: cuts, scrapes, or some burns.

·        Tumors of  all kinds.

·        A significant increase in temperature or a sharp decrease in temperature.

Types of infections

There are two main types of infections, know them:

·        Acute inflammation

·        It is a series of processes that start with excess blood flowing to the site of the injury, causing inflammation, such as:  gingivitis .

·        Chronic inflammation

·        It occurs when the immune system is affected by a defect or disturbance in the performance of its main function, as white blood cells begin to attack healthy tissues and organs in the body, causing autoimmune diseases.

Negative effects of inflammation

There are ways in which inflammation affects our health, and they are as follows:

Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 101102)

1.                   Arthritis

2.                   It is a chronic inflammation that often leads to rheumatoid arthritis, as it causes joint swelling, which in turn negatively affects the cartilage and bones.

3.                   High risk of cancer

4.                   Many scientific studies have linked recurrent infections with lung cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, and  gastrointestinal cancer , because recurrent infection leads to a deterioration in immune regulation, and creates an optimal environment for the growth of cancer cells.

5.                   Heart disease

6.                   Viral infection usually causes myocarditis, which reduces its ability to pump oxygenated blood to the various parts of the body, and causes an overall disorder of the heart system.

7.                   Encephalitis

8.                   It is an inflammation of the brain tissue and there are many causes, but the most common cause is a viral infection, and encephalitis causes confusion in thinking, and problems with the senses and movement.

9.                   Inflammation in the lungs

10.               Inflammation in the lung can cause fluid to collect and narrow the airway, making breathing difficult.

11.               Inflammation may be the direct cause of many diseases related to the respiratory system, such as: asthma and bronchitis.

12.               Inflammation of the intestine

13.               It is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in various parts of the digestive system, and its symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, rectal bleeding, night sweats, and decreased appetite.

14.               Hepatitis C virus 

15.               It is a virus in the blood that infects liver cells, and may eventually lead to serious liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer.

16.               Vaginal infections in women

17.               It is an inflammation of the vagina that may lead to discharge, itching and pain, usually due to a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or infection.

18.               Vasculitis

19.               It is an inflammatory condition of the blood vessels that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a blood vessel, damaging the lining of the vessel, reducing or stopping blood flow altogether.

Infection treatment

Infections are treated with:

1. Medication treatment

When the inflammation is caused by a microbial infection, the inflammation is treated by antibiotics, and non-microbial infections are treated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as: ibuprofen and Paracetamol, which prevent white blood cells from destroying healthy tissue in the body.

2. Food therapy

Inflammation can be reduced by eating certain foods, such as:

• Nuts: Nuts contain elements that calm inflammation and protect body cells.

• Raisins: Raisins contain antioxidants that help calm inflammation.
• Ginger: Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help protect the cells of the body from infections.
• Fruits and vegetables: These are foods rich in antioxidants.
• Garlic: Garlic contains powerful antioxidants that fight microbes, and garlic strengthens the immune system that protects the body from infections.
• Thyme oil: It has various nutritional and health benefits, including treating some respiratory infections, and ridding the body of viruses and parasites that attack the body.