Inflammation
Anthony R. Mundy, John M. Fitzpatrick, David E. Neal, Nicholas J. R. George in The Scientific Basis of Urology, 2010
The causes of inflammation are as follows: Mechanical trauma such as cutting or crushingInjury caused by living organismsChemical injury (exogenous or endogenous)Excess ultraviolet or X-radiationInjury due to extremes of heat (burns) or cold (frostbite)Ischemia sufficiently severe to cause death or underperfused tissuesInjury caused by excessive or inappropriate operation of the immune system
Inflammation
George Feuer, Felix A. de la Iglesia in Molecular Biochemistry of Human Disease, 2020
Inflammation is the most common manifestation of disease, hence, it is one of the most important disorders and the most responsive to treatment. The widespread occurrence of inflammatory disorders stems from the fact that (1) many diseases are inflammatory in nature; (2) many secondary manifestations of basically noninflammatory diseases are also caused by primary inflammation processes (e.g., ulcer, cirrhosis); and (3) tissues dying from any cause often elicit an inflammatory reaction in the surrounding tissue. Therefore, signs of inflammation are present to some degree in nearly all diseases. In addition, inflammation is a normal and essential protective response against noxious stimuli that threaten the host to a certain extent, ranging from localized reactions to complex responses involving the whole organism.
The patient with acute neurological problems
Peate Ian, Dutton Helen in Acute Nursing Care, 2020
Meningitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, cancer cells or by irritant drugs. The most serious form of meningitis is bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis affects the subarachnoid space and the meninges either side of the space, the pia and arachnoid mater as well as the CSF. It can be fatal, even when medical treatment is started promptly, as the bacterial infection progresses rapidly, which could lead to sepsis/septic shock (Meningitis Research Foundation 2019). Therefore, regardless of whether or not the patient has meningitis, once the patient presents with signs of sepsis, early recognition and intervention are vital to improving the patient’s prognosis.
Cannabidiol primer for healthcare professionals
Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 2020
Jennifer Clay Cather, J. Christian Cather
The endocannabinoid system receptors, CB1 and CB2 (Figure 1),3–5 have unique distributions within the body and different ligands, which explains the effects of the different cannabinoids (Table 2). CB1 receptors are found throughout the body, but are mostly present in the brain and spinal cord. They are concentrated in brain regions associated with the behaviors they influence. For example, there are CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus, which is involved with appetite regulation, and the amygdala, which plays a role in memory and emotional processing. CB1 receptors are also found in nerve endings, where they act to reduce sensations of pain. CB2 receptors tend to be found in the peripheral nervous system. They are especially concentrated in immune cells. When CB2 receptors are activated, they work to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is an immune response that plays a role in many diseases and conditions.
Naltrexone at low doses (LDN) and its relevance to cancer therapy
Published in Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy, 2022
As discussed, there is good reason to suggest that LDN has a potential role in anticancer therapeutic regimens. Indeed, the effects it has on intracellular signaling pathways that support oncogenesis is a means by which LDN can be used to disrupt aberrant cell growth. However, the effects that LDN also has on the immune system can also contribute to its anti-cancer action. Inflammation, particularly chronic inflammation forms the basis of a number of diseases. Indeed, we and others have described how chronic inflammation, arising as a result of chronic exposure to a non-infective irritant, may support cancer development. Examples of this include the long-term irritation and exposure to asbestos fibers leading to mesothelioma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema as a pre-disposing factor to lung cancer, and the association between chronic inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer [25]. Drugs that target particular elements of inflammation, such as the inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase (COX), have shown activity and potential clinical benefit in a cancer setting [26]. Similarly, there is considerable epidemiological evidence supporting the effectiveness of the ubiquitous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug aspirin as a preventative for cancer development [27].
The effect of red-to-near-infrared (R/NIR) irradiation on inflammatory processes
Published in International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2019
Tomasz Walski, Krystyna Dąbrowska, Anna Drohomirecka, Natalia Jędruchniewicz, Natalia Trochanowska-Pauk, Wojciech Witkiewicz, Małgorzata Komorowska
The wide range of applications that this radiation may have raises questions on the effects that R/NIR exerts on the immune system—specifically, the effects of R/NIR on immune cells that are effectors of the immune response and that mediate inflammation. Inflammation is a part of the body response to pathogens, irritants, trauma, and other harmful factors. The function of inflammation is to improve elimination of these harmful factors, also clearing out damaged cells and tissues. Typical signs of inflammation are heat, redness, pain, swelling, and loss of function. In spite of its important function in protection of a system from pathogen invasion or other harmful occurrences, prolonged inflammation may have a devastating effect on the system itself. This includes tissue damage and organ dysfunctions. Thus, control of inflammation can be a key step in many therapeutic strategies (Cotran et al. 1998; Ferrero-Miliani et al. 2007; Eming et al. 2007).
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