Inflammation is the body's defense against pathogens.

When inflammation occurs without

pathogens, it leads to inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and Crohn's disease. It's crucial
for medical professionals to know about inflammation to treat these diseases.

Signs of inflammation include redness, swelling, pain, heat, and loss of function. This
happens due to the body reacting to the foreign invaders. Vasodilation is the initial step in
this process. When pathogens are being destroyed, mast cells release histamine. This
increases blood flow and causes redness, swelling, and heat. Histamine also helps immune
cells reach the infection site.

Cytokines are chemicals that can cause inflammation. Chemokines, like interleukin-8 (IL-8),
make cells move. Macrophages can recognize and respond to foreign and damaged
molecules. Once activated, they release substances to boost the defense and eat the
pathogen. Once inside, the pathogen is destroyed using a process called the respiratory
burst.

Neutrophils contain harmful substances that destroy bacteria. But they can also harm our
tissue, causing pain and dysfunction. The respiratory burst, which involves various chemical
reactions, is vital to kill pathogens but can also harm our cells.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that causes skin issues. Its exact cause is unknown but
involves an overactive immune response. Understanding inflammation is crucial when
treating such diseases because some treatments, like NSAIDs, can make the problem
worse.