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Inflammation

By Anne Asher, About.com

Updated: October 12, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: Inflammation is a response to injury that is characterized by:
  • redness
  • pain
  • heat
  • swelling
  • loss of function(sometimes)

The inflammatory response is the body's way to deal with infection or injury. It mobilizes chemicals that will deal with pain, ward off bacteria and begin the wound healing process.

Inflammation happens at the site of the injury or infection.

Also Known As: inflammatory response

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