1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Back & Neck Pain

Inflammation

By , About.com Guide

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
Explore Back & Neck Pain
About.com Special Features

Conquering High Cholesterol

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Back & Neck Pain
  4. Chronic Back - Neck Pain
  5. Glossary
  6. I
  7. Definition of Inflammation>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.