Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection. It may result in pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or loss of function of the affected body part.

In some cases inflammation develops as part of a disease process, such as the inflammation that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, or an allergic reaction.

Last Revised: November 26, 2008

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Anne Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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