The inflammatory process in the human body is accompanied. Inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. Folk advice for the treatment of inflammatory processes of the female genital organs

Instructions

There are 2 types of inflammation: chronic and acute. An acute process develops as a result of the body's reaction to irritation, injury, infection or allergen. Chronic inflammation is promoted by increased load on certain organs, aging of the body, and general overload. Inflammation is manifested by pain and fever. The process takes place in 3 stages. On the 1st, a reaction develops in response to damage. This dilates the adjacent blood vessels and increases blood flow to the affected area. Along with the blood, nutrients and immune system cells arrive at the site of inflammation.

At the 2nd stage, phagocyte cells fight pathogenic microorganisms. They secrete special substances that destroy pathogenic flora, and also produce antioxidants necessary to protect against possible damage from free radicals. In this case, damaged and dead cells of the body are removed. At the 3rd stage, the focus of inflammation is separated from the surrounding tissues. In this case, mast cells release histamine, which increases the permeability of blood vessels. As a result, the damaged area is cleansed of waste and toxins.

The most noticeable manifestation of the inflammatory process is fever. A rise in temperature occurs when the immune system operates at its limit in response to inflammation. The following symptoms appear: rapid pulse, rapid breathing, increased sweating. At high temperatures, a cascade of reactions occurs in the body aimed at eliminating the causes of its occurrence. This symptom can last up to 3 days. During this period, the body fights infectious pathogens. Elevated temperature leads to the fact that the ability to reproduce bacteria sharply decreases, and the number of protective phagocyte cells increases. As a result, they eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.

An increase in temperature is considered an alarming symptom, and the patient does not experience the most pleasant sensations. However, it is still not recommended to take antipyretics, as this leads to the interruption of the natural process of fighting infection. In this case, the disease takes on a protracted course and often recurs. It is undesirable to take medications at temperatures up to 38.5°C. The condition can be alleviated by increasing the amount of fluid consumed and taking vitamin C. If the temperature rises sharply, you should immediately call a doctor.

Any increase in a person’s optimal body temperature without visible signs or causes serves as a certain protective reaction of the body to infection. Such an ailment can lead to one or another disease. Experts often warn that an increase in temperature indicates that the body has entered into a battle with the infection, producing interferon and protective antibodies.

Hyperthermia or fever

Thermoregulation of the human body occurs at a special reflex level. The hypothalamus, which belongs to the diencephalon, is responsible for its optimal performance. Its functions also include control of the nervous and endocrine systems. It is in it that the centers are located that regulate the cycle of wakefulness and sleep, feelings of thirst and hunger, body temperature and a large number of other psychosomatic and physiological processes.

Pyrogens, protein substances, take part in increasing body temperature. They are both secondary (internal) and primary (external - in the form of microbes, bacteria and toxins). When a focus of the disease appears, external pyrogens force the body's cells to produce secondary protein substances, which send an impulse to the thermoreceptors of the hypothalamus. In turn, it gradually begins to adjust the body’s temperature to naturally mobilize its protective functions. Thus, until the hypothalamus regulates the existing disturbed temperature balance, the person suffers from fever.

Also, fever without symptoms can be due to hyperthermia. This happens when the hypothalamus does not take part in its increase: it does not receive a signal to protect the body from infection. This increase in body temperature often occurs as a result of a disruption in the heat transfer process, for example, during certain physical activities.

The main reasons for the rise in temperature

Fever or increased temperature occurs in almost any acute infectious disease. In addition, such a relapse can be observed during an exacerbation of certain chronic diseases. In the absence of symptoms, a qualified specialist can determine the cause of elevated body temperature by isolating the pathogen from the blood or source of infection.

It is much more difficult to identify the cause of elevated body temperature without symptoms if the disease arose due to exposure to opportunistic microbes (microplasma, fungi, bacteria) on the body - against the background of a local or general decrease in the immune system. In this case, a detailed laboratory study of mucus, sputum, bile and mucus should be carried out.

Causes of fever without symptoms may be associated with the following diseases:

Cervicitis is an inflammation of the vaginal cervix, which serves as a protective barrier between the body of the uterus and the external environment. Depending on the location, cervicitis can be internal (edocervicitis) or external (exocervicitis). The nature of the course can be acute or chronic.

Causes of cervicitis

This disease very rarely occurs on its own. Its companions can be any inflammation or infection of the reproductive system. More often, against the background of weakened immunity, they attack the cervical mucosa. Infectious agents can be:
- staphylococcus;
- ;
- chlamydia;
- treponema;
- gonococcus (more often with endocervicitis);
- candida (with exocervicitis);
- ureplasma;
- human papilloma virus.

The causes of cervicitis can be the use of contraceptives, mechanical damage to the cervix during abortion or installation, active sexual life.

If a woman develops cervicitis during pregnancy, she must notify her doctor. Some drugs used in treatment may affect the development of the embryo.

Signs and symptoms of cervicitis

Obvious signs of cervicitis may appear during the acute course of the disease. These symptoms are:
- slight increase in body temperature;
- purulent, poor vaginal discharge;
- dark spotting;
- hot flashes in the pelvic organs;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- nagging pain at rest or pain during sexual intercourse;
- burning and itching in the vaginal area;
- pain when urinating.

Chronic cervicitis does not have such pronounced symptoms and proceeds unnoticed. A gynecologist can detect and diagnose it during a routine examination or when dealing with another problem.
As a rule, women of childbearing age are affected by the disease, less often it occurs during menopause.
The danger of cervicitis is that the infection can very quickly spread to nearby organs - appendages, peritoneum, bladder.

Before going to the doctor, you need to abstain from sexual intercourse for 1-2 days. Stop taking medications and using suppositories. Perform genital hygiene in the evening, on the eve of the appointment, without douching and detergents.

Treatment of cervicitis

Depending on what infection provoked cervicitis, the doctor prescribes specific treatment. A course of treatment is also prescribed for the sexual partner, even in the absence of symptoms of the disease, after which tests are prescribed.
If left untreated, cervicitis thickens and there is a risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and postpartum maternal infections.

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Tip 4: Bartholinitis: symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment

Bartholinitis is a disease that is associated with an inflammatory process occurring in the large gland of the vestibule of the vagina. Infectious agents quickly penetrate the excretory ducts, and the pathological process moves to the parenchyma, causing purulent or serous inflammation. Exudate of a purulent nature captures the lobules of the large gland, a false abscess is formed, which can open at any time.

Bartholinitis symptoms

In acute cases, the body is significantly affected, there is general weakness and chills. The external genital organs become swollen and cause itching and discharge. If the abscess ruptures spontaneously, the patient's general condition improves and body temperature decreases.

Diagnosis of bartholinitis

At the first symptoms of bartholinitis, you should immediately contact a gynecologist. External and internal accurately determine the presence of inflammation. To reliably determine the disease, laboratory tests are carried out on Bartholin's secretions.

Main symptoms of gastritis

You should know that this disease is initially asymptomatic. The first signs of such a disease begin to appear when, along with inflammation of the internal surfaces of the stomach, their integrity is disrupted. A person may experience abdominal discomfort after eating. Before meals, spasms in the upper lobe of the epigastrium are often observed. A patient with this disease may experience frequent belching and bad breath. However, such symptoms may not be present in a person on an ongoing basis; as a rule, they first appear for a while and then disappear for a certain period of time. Therefore, many people who have this disease attribute the first signs of gastritis to a common ailment of the body and are in no hurry to seek help from specialists.

Additional symptoms of gastritis

When the disease becomes more severe, a person may experience nausea and vomiting before and after meals. In this case, at first, undigested food with a very sour taste will come out. Subsequently, the patient may observe bile and mucus along with it. Along with this, body weight will decrease, frequent and severe dizziness, general weakness and acute pain in the pit of the stomach will occur. At the same time, cramps in the upper abdomen may occur, which will be quite difficult to relieve with analgesics.

Symptoms of acute gastritis

This form of the disease has the above symptoms, and it also manifests itself with other symptoms. So, the patient may experience diarrhea or severe constipation, constant migraines, tachycardia, increased body temperature, excess saliva production, due to disruption of food processing by the body. A person may also experience loss of appetite, belching with foul-smelling discharge, heaviness in the stomach, nagging pain in the stomach after a meal and gurgling in it, and flatulence. With this disease, nails become yellow, brittle and flaking, and hair becomes faded. There may not be enough hemoglobin in the blood, which will make you constantly want to sleep.

If you discover symptoms of gastritis, you need to visit a specialist as soon as possible. He will conduct a comprehensive examination and determine at what stage the disease is. Depending on this, a comprehensive and effective treatment will be selected that will ensure a speedy recovery.

Inflammation of the appendages in women is an infectious pathology, and the process affects the ovaries or fallopian tubes, but not the uterus itself. Penetration of the infectious agent into the body occurs in various ways.

The disease can proceed without symptoms for a long time, sometimes characterized by the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen and menstrual irregularities. Treatment is aimed at destroying the pathogen and restoring the function of the uterine appendages.

Causes

Why do women experience inflammation of the appendages, and what is it? In medicine, this disease is called salpingoophoritis. If the inflammation affects only the fallopian tubes, then salpingitis is diagnosed. An inflammatory process that affects only the ovaries is called oophoritis.

The development of the inflammatory process in the uterine appendages occurs under the influence of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. There are two types of disease:

  • specific adnexitis caused by diphtheria bacteria, tuberculosis bacillus, gonococci;
  • nonspecific salpingoophoritis, caused by viruses, fungi, E. coli, streptococci, staphylococci, mycoplasmas, chlamydia and other microorganisms.

Penetration of infection into the uterine appendages can occur in the following ways:

  • ascending (pathogenic microbes from the vagina penetrate the uterus, bypassing the cervical canal, into the tubes, and then can enter the ovaries);
  • descending (there is already inflammation in the abdominal cavity, which gradually spreads to healthy tissue);
  • hematogenous (microbes enter the fallopian tubes and ovaries with blood from other internal organs).

The likelihood of inflammation of the appendages increases with the action of provoking factors on the body:

  • hypothermia;
  • weakened immunity;
  • using a contraceptive method such as an intrauterine device;
  • unprotected sex;
  • childbirth or abortion.
can occur in three forms:
  • acute;
  • chronic;
  • latent (asymptomatic, or sluggish).

The disease can be diagnosed at any age. Both young girls who are not sexually active and older women who have reached menopause turn to doctors for help.

Symptoms of inflammation of the appendages

In the case of inflammation of the appendages in women, the presence of certain symptoms depends on certain factors:

  • pathogenicity of the ingested microorganism, its type;
  • on the course of the disease, whether it is an acute process, with pronounced symptoms, or chronic, with erased, barely noticeable symptoms;
  • the girl’s body’s ability to resist microorganisms and fight the inflammatory process, from the state of the immune system.

In acute form women complain of the following symptoms:

  • tense abdomen in the lower regions;
  • , sometimes radiating to the legs or lower back;
  • increased body temperature (it can reach 39 degrees);
  • changes in the menstrual cycle (sudden bleeding or delayed menstruation);
  • vaginal discharge that is different from normal (it may be greenish-purulent or yellowish, thick or foamy).

An incompletely cured disease in the acute period can develop into chronic inflammation of the appendages, the symptoms of which depend on the period of remission or exacerbation. Every second woman with chronic adnexitis experiences the following pathological changes:

  • menstrual irregularities;
  • sexual function disorder;
  • concomitant diseases of the urinary organs (,), etc.

During the period of exacerbation, all symptoms characteristic of acute adnexitis resume.

Chronic adnexitis

Chronic adnexitis develops as a result of untimely or poor-quality treatment of the acute form of the disease; it occurs with periodic seasonal exacerbations. This form of inflammation of the appendages is characterized by the presence of dull, aching pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the vagina and lumbar region. Palpation of the abdomen determines moderate pain.

Due to structural and functional transformations in the ovaries (lack of ovulation, hypoestrogenism), chronic inflammation of the appendages in women is accompanied by menstrual irregularities, which are manifested by oligomenorrhea (scanty periods), polymenorrhea (heavy periods), algomenorrhea (painful periods). Patients may also complain of a lack or decrease in sexual desire, pain during intercourse.

Diagnostics

The above symptoms may also be present in other diseases of the genital organs, so only a gynecologist can make an accurate diagnosis after examining the patient, collecting anamnesis, and the results of laboratory and instrumental studies:

  • Ultrasound of the uterus and appendages;
  • PCR diagnostics (vaginal smear), which allows you to identify sexually transmitted infections;
  • colposcopy (examination of the vagina and its walls);
  • bacterial sowing;
  • tomography;
  • laparoscopy.

Signs of inflammation of the appendages can be determined by the results of a blood test. During inflammatory processes, the blood formula changes significantly. In addition, during a gynecological examination at an appointment with a gynecologist, a woman feels severe pain in the ovaries and uterus.

Consequences

Any inflammation of the appendages is dangerous because the following complications are possible:

  • development into a chronic form;
  • infertility as a result of the adhesive process, which causes obstruction of the fallopian tubes and anovulation;
  • quite high risk of ectopic conception;
  • purulent complication (tubo-ovarian formation) - purulent melting of the ovaries and tubes, followed by an abscess.

Prevention

  1. Visit a gynecologist regularly, do not resist an examination in the chair, and take smears.
  2. Avoid hypothermia by dressing appropriately for the weather, changing clothes after swimming, and avoiding sitting on cold objects.
  3. If termination of pregnancy is necessary, do it early or with the help of medications, or a mini-abortion (avoid curettage).
  4. Cure teeth, intestines and other foci of chronic infection.
  5. Use barrier methods of contraception.
  6. Treat gynecological diseases in a timely manner.
  7. Follow the rules of healthy eating.
  8. Follow the rules of intimate hygiene.
  9. Avoid douching.
  10. Avoid stress.

Thus, inflammation of the appendages is a serious disease that requires timely treatment, which involves strict compliance with medical instructions.

Treatment of inflammation of the appendages

When diagnosing inflammation of the appendages, treatment in women should be comprehensive: a combination of medications with physiotherapy, gynecological massage, osteopathy, and physiotherapy.

The main point in the treatment of inflammation is antibiotics. They are selected with a wide spectrum of action and maximum half-life. In addition, the woman herself needs to monitor her lifestyle (proper nutrition, abstinence from sexual activity, physical exercise, smoking and alcohol should be stopped).

The disease cannot be neglected, since the inflammatory process soon becomes chronic, which leads to infertility.

Antibiotics for inflammation of the appendages

Antibiotics for inflammation of the appendages are the first and main condition that must be met for a favorable outcome of the disease. How to treat inflammation of the appendages, the dosage and number of doses for each individual woman is determined by a specialist, but we will give you the most commonly prescribed pairs of medications:

  1. Nitroimidazole derivatives (for example, Metronidazole) to eliminate anaerobic flora that can live in an oxygen-free environment, such as gonococci (the causative agents of gonorrhea);
  2. Inhibitor-protected penicillins (Amoxiclav), 3rd generation cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone), macrolides (Erythromycin), etc., which affect aerobic (living in an oxygen environment) flora;
  3. Antifungal drugs (eg, Diflucan, Nystatin).

For the first three to four days until the condition normalizes, all these drugs are administered by injection. Then you can switch to tablet forms and reduce the dose.

Concomitant treatment

In addition to the prescription of antibacterial drugs, detoxification therapy is carried out (intravenous infusions of saline solutions, glucose, hemodez, rheopolyglucin and others in a volume of 2 - 3 liters).

Relief of pain and reduction of the inflammatory process is carried out using tablets. These are Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketarol and other drugs. Be sure to prescribe vitamins C and B, as well as allergy pills.

When relieving an acute process and in the treatment of chronic inflammation of the appendages outside of exacerbation, physiotherapy is widely used: copper and zinc electrophoresis according to the phases of the menstrual cycle, electrophoresis with lidase or iodine, ultrasound, high-frequency pulsed currents (CMT, DDT). Also used in rehabilitation treatment are immunomodulators, autohemotherapy, injections of aloe, FIBS, Longidase, etc. For chronic adnexitis, sanatorium-resort treatment is indicated - mud, paraffin, medicinal baths and douching.

Suppositories for inflammation of the appendages

To reduce signs such as inflammation, pain, swelling, and temperature, special suppositories are used that can relieve inflammation. They can also prescribe suppositories that can strengthen the immune system, and this is very important for any illness. Also, such drugs cleanse the body of harmful substances.

All suppositories are prescribed by a doctor, but in any case such treatment will be additional.

Folk remedies

At home you can use some folk recipes:

  1. Take 4 teaspoons finely chopped buckthorn, Chernobyl and peony roots, add 3 teaspoons of burnet and elecampane roots. After this, pour 2 tablespoons of the resulting mixture with half a liter of boiling water. Boil for half an hour over low heat, and then let cool for half an hour. Afterwards, strain and you can add a little honey for taste. You should take the product half a glass 3-4 times a day.
  2. One tablespoon chopped dry boron uterus grass pour a glass of boiling water. Leave for 2 hours. Strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 1 month. After a month's course of treating adnexitis with boron uterus, it is advisable to drink another infusion for 2 months - from the grass of the field grass. 1 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over the herbs, leave for 4 hours, strain. Drink 1 tsp. 30 minutes before meals 4 times a day.
  3. Buldenezh should be collected at the very beginning of flowering (until insects infest them). A tincture of them has excellent antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. A liter jar is filled with inflorescence balls, filled with vodka and sent to a dark, cool place for 15 days. This tincture is rubbed on the lower abdomen, and the inflorescences are applied in the form of compresses.
  4. Take flowers of coltsfoot, sweet clover, centaury in equal proportions. Mix, after crushing, pour boiling water, let it brew for an hour, then strain the broth through cheesecloth and drink half a glass twice a day. During treatment, abstinence from sexual intercourse is recommended.

Remember that folk remedies are only a supplement and cannot in any way replace drug therapy prescribed by a specialist.

Inflammation of various organs of our body is a very common problem that we have to face at the most inopportune moment. The cause of such inflammation can be various bacteria and infectious agents, such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, all kinds of viruses and viral bacilli, fungi and other infections.

How can you treat inflammation with folk remedies at home?

Inflammation is a process that occurs as a result of tissue damage. It aims to combat the agents that caused the damage, as well as repair damaged tissue. However, a prolonged inflammatory process means that the body needs help.

Each of us needs to know this. After all, inflammation is the most common pathological process occurring in our body. They lead to:

  • slowing down blood flow
  • the occurrence of pain,
  • swelling,
  • temperature rise
  • and, ultimately, to disruption of the body’s functioning.

Therefore, we need to know how to cure inflammation in different parts of the body and how to cope with inflammation at an early stage of its development in order to prevent significant negative consequences.

The universal remedy is antibiotics. They suppress the activity of pathogenic bacteria. However, to eliminate the consequences of inflammation, auxiliary drugs and methods of treatment are needed. Most of our organs are susceptible to inflammation, and each has its own means and methods of treatment. So, for pneumonia, it is necessary to use expectorants, antihistamines and inhalation drugs. Inhalations used for difficulty breathing and as a means of antibacterial therapy. By using expectorants the lungs are cleared of mucus. Antihistamines serve to reduce pulmonary edema and prevent allergies to other medications.

Effective ways to treat inflammation of different parts of the body at home

Inflammation can be treated by using various antibacterial and antiviral medicinal herbs and plants in combination with other natural resources. This treatment allows you to achieve excellent results and get rid of inflammation in a short time.

A common form of inflammation is inflammation of the female genital organs. We recommend that you use medicinal herbs such as bay leaf, walnut leaves, blueberry leaves, immortelle, St. John's wort, coltsfoot, sweet clover, nettle, licorice, thorn roots and others. Drinking tinctures of aloe and pumpkin juice is also considered effective for inflammation of the ovaries, and linden, thyme and chamomile inflorescences are used as a decoction. Propolis and mumiyo can also be used.

There are many old effective recipes for pneumonia, respiratory tract or tuberculosis. In such cases, it is necessary to use a tincture consisting of St. John's wort, essential oils, oat decoction and medicinal herbs such as violet, pine buds, plantain, aloe, etc. Familiar products such as honey, onion and garlic are also quite effective.

For inflammation of the larynx, we recommend using rinses with various decoctions and tinctures. For example, you can rinse your mouth with a tincture of ammonia in combination with a small amount of water, as well as a tincture of fresh nut juice or rose oil. You can also prepare a medicinal ointment from the folk remedies sage and camphor; they should be mixed with a small amount of honey. In addition, we recommend eating more grapes and pomegranates.

There are different types of inflammation. If your tooth hurts because your gums are inflamed, and you can’t go to the dentist immediately, you can rinse your tooth with salt. Dilute a tablespoon of salt in a glass of boiled water and rinse the aching tooth thoroughly but gently. This should be done at least once an hour.

Inflammation can occur due to small scratches - if the redness and swelling does not subside for a long time, consult a doctor; you may need more serious treatment than just herbal tinctures or decoctions. In addition, if you get a scratch, be sure to treat it with hydrogen peroxide and iodine or brilliant green - then more serious measures will not be needed.

To treat inflammation of the ovaries, in addition to antibiotics, take decoctions of medicinal plants: boron uterus, chamomile, calendula. In addition, the use of various medicinal mixtures consisting of various herbs used specifically for gynecological diseases is effective. A herbal decoction is needed for douching, after which tampons or anti-inflammatory suppositories prescribed by a doctor should be placed.

To treat ear inflammation, ear drops are used, which have a local therapeutic effect directly in the ear cavity. Ear suppositories and physical therapy are also used.

Antibacterial sprays or antifungal medications are used to combat oral inflammation.

There are many diseases associated with inflammation of different parts of the body. Most of them are treated using regimens similar to those described above. But each case has its own nuances and subtleties, and additional medications are used. And, although the basis of any anti-inflammatory course is antibacterial therapy, antibiotics alone to cure inflammation are not enough for a complete recovery. Therefore, an individual treatment regimen must be selected by a doctor who decides how to treat inflammation in each specific case.

How to quickly treat inflammation during colds and sore throats at home?

This question is probably one of the most common. Surely everyone is familiar with the situation when, on the eve of an important business meeting, a vacation trip or a holiday party, the temperature suddenly rises, a headache begins, a sore throat and aching joints. All these are signs of inflammation that accompanies diseases such as flu or tonsillitis. And here it is important not only to relieve the symptoms of inflammation that disrupt the planned event, but to get rid of inflammation at an early stage. What needs to be done for this?

First of all, take antibiotics - Penicillin (or any other penicillin drug) or, if you are allergic to it, Erythromycin.

If you have inflammation at home, drink more fluids: warm water, tea with raspberries or honey, fruit juice, and so on.

Mix crushed leaves of sage, yarrow, St. John's wort and coltsfoot in equal proportions. Measure out two tablespoons of the resulting mixture and pour a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for one hour, filter and gargle with the prepared infusion to quickly treat inflammation.

Mix one large spoon of honey with 20 drops of propolis tincture and 5 drops of Lugol's solution. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, use a teaspoon to separate a quarter of the mixture and place it under your tongue. Try to dissolve the folk remedy for inflammation as slowly as possible, holding it in your mouth. Repeat the procedure four times a day.

Buy peach, eucalyptus or tea tree oil at the pharmacy. Mix 20 milliliters of purchased oil with 5-7 milliliters of sea buckthorn. Use a pipette to drop the prepared mixture onto your tonsils if they are inflamed and lie on your back for half an hour with your head thrown back.

Prepare a two-liter saucepan with water. Add a tablespoon of crushed eucalyptus leaves and the same amount of sage, thyme, pine or birch buds. Place the pan on the fire, bring the folk remedy to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Then place it on the table, cover your head with a towel or blanket and breathe over the steam for at least 20 minutes. After finishing the procedure, go to bed and cover your head with a blanket.

A honey-echinacea mixture for resorption is very useful. To prepare it, place a spoonful of honey with 20 drops of echinacea tincture in alcohol. The mixture should be dissolved after meals, one-third of the serving at a time.

Now, knowing how to quickly treat inflammation, you will be ready for any whims of your body.

How to treat inflammation of the lymph nodes during a cold?

There are many folk remedies that have anti-inflammatory properties. These include not only various medicinal plants, but also minerals. Each of these remedies is suitable for treating inflammation of a specific organ.

For example, celandine is effective in treating inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes. You need to cut the stems of celandine, wash and dry them, then finely chop them and pour alcohol into them. Moisten a gauze bandage with the resulting tincture. Apply the compress to the inflamed area, covering the top with polyethylene and wrapping a scarf around your neck. This procedure should be performed at night until the inflammation subsides.

To quickly relieve inflammation, you need to follow a certain diet and daily routine. However, nothing particularly heavy is required in this case, rather the opposite. You should not neglect sleep - even with a slight lack of sleep, the body's immune system weakens and inflammatory processes intensify. And one sleepless night can negate all your previous treatment.

If you have inflammation, you should also exclude from your menu some foods that contribute to the development of inflammatory processes. These are lamb and pork, beans, milk, wheat, eggs and yeast. But you should eat as much raw fruits and vegetables as possible. Pumpkin pulp is especially helpful. And to improve immunity, you need to eat more foods containing vitamin C.

It should be remembered that each person’s body has its own individual characteristics. Therefore, when using this or that medicine for inflammation at home, try to foresee all the nuances, especially the possibility of allergies.

The inflammation can be treated if it is not too serious, but if the swelling does not go away for a long time, go to the hospital, otherwise the consequences can be very serious.

P. S.: Use our tips and recipes and you will forget about illnesses forever!

Health

Some effects of aging are beyond our control. But the most unpleasant consequences, which manifest themselves in the form inflammatory processes, is completely avoidable. This article will tell you about effective ways to help keep you under control. age-related inflammatory processes or even prevent them. But for this it is necessary to answer the main question.

What is the inflammatory process?

Occurring under normal conditions, inflammation is a common phenomenon in our body. Especially if the body is recovering, for example, from an injury. Let's say you cut yourself while preparing dinner. An inflammatory reaction immediately begins, thanks to which a whole army of white blood cells is sent to the cut area (leukocytes) for organ restoration.

Unfortunately, inflammatory processes are not always so predictable. Inflammation sometimes behaves like an annoying guest. It settles in our body and does not want to leave it, no matter what we do. Aging is the main factor that increases the risk of inflammatory processes.. It's very simple - the more our body wears out, the harder it is for us to cope with the inflammation that arises. Add to this genetic predisposition, high blood pressure and an unhealthy lifestyle - all these factors also play into the hands of inflammatory processes. If such a process begins in the body of an elderly person and continues for a long time, then his body works under regular attacks from inflammation. It begins to intensively produce leukocytes, in order to cope with the disease, and does this for many days, months and even years - until the inflammatory process ends.

The main problem is that the immune system of such an organism may not be ready for such work “under conditions of increased stress.” As the immune system depletes, the human body finds it increasingly difficult to cope with upcoming diseases.. Viruses, various bacterial infections, even cancer cells are not scary for a healthy body with a strong immune system. A weakened system may not respond to the next alarm bell. And eventually, she may "rebel" starting to “work” against the body, instead of protecting it. This threatens very serious diseases: lupus, Graves' disease, granulomatous skin disease (Crohn's disease), fibromyalgia (a form of damage to extra-articular soft tissues) - these are all the consequences of the so-called autoimmune disorders, which affect the body of a person with a weakened immune system. Scientists have known about these disorders for a very long time, but only recently have they been able to accumulate enough information to see a clear picture of how chronic inflammatory processes affect our body.

Inflammatory processes create a favorable environment for the development of cancer

Some forms of cancer also arise due to certain inflammatory processes. Recent research shows that such processes can play almost a leading role in the development of many types of cancer - colon, stomach, lung and breast cancer. Chronic inflammatory processes create an ideal environment in the human body for the existence of so-called free radicals (unstable particles), which travel throughout the body, leaving nothing but destruction in their path. If a healthy cell's DNA is exposed to a free radical, it can mutate. If this mutation develops, it could lead to malignant tumor. Free radicals stimulate inflammatory processes and support their development.

According to Dave Grotto, nutrition education specialist at the Chicago Cancer Center (Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care in Chicago), chronic inflammation itself does not always lead to cancer. But if left untreated, it can create ideal conditions for cancer cells to develop.

The really good news is that, unlike those factors that cannot be controlled (genetic predisposition, living in a polluted atmosphere, the presence of congenital heart diseases), chronic inflammatory processes can be controlled and even prevented. This is done using the same good old methods: you need to adhere to a certain diet and exercise.

A special diet can help control inflammation in the body

Food, in principle, can both spur the development of inflammatory processes and stop them. Foods rich in so-called trans-fatty acids, hydrocarbons and sugar, may contribute to the development of inflammation. On the other hand, having fruits, lean meats, grains, and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet will help combat any inflammation.

If you have any disease that is inextricably linked with inflammation (atherosclerosis or arthritis), changing your diet will definitely help control the symptoms of the disease, or even lead to recovery! Proper nutrition can also help if you have a sedentary lifestyle or if you have a genetic predisposition to inflammatory processes. What kind of diet are we talking about?

1. Fish - in every home!

Fish is simply a storehouse of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Take, for example, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both acids are strong anti-inflammatory agents. It seems that everyone already knows the results of studies according to which among people who regularly consumed fish, there were much fewer deaths from stroke or heart attack. These people are also less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.- 60 percent compared to those who do not eat fish at all. Isn't it worth it to fall in love with fish and start eating it at least once a week?

However, nutrition experts believe that in order to feel the effect of eating fish meat, this should be done at least twice a week(stewed, or some other kind, but not fried). Omega-3 is high in both fresh and frozen fish. Take mackerel, tuna or salmon. Try not to buy this fish in oil, as the omega-3 simply “leaks” from the meat into the surrounding oil.

It is also necessary to keep in mind that, along with useful substances, fish meat may contain toxins. These toxins are especially dangerous for those who are at risk for inflammatory processes (genetic predisposition, etc.). Pregnant women (or those planning to become pregnant) should avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel and ocean fish such as lofolatilus, as they potentially contain high levels of toxins that can harm the fetus. Such meat should not be included in the diet of nursing mothers and young children. Research has also found that albacore tuna(most commonly used for canning) may contain too high a level of mercury. For example, in the United States of America, the Food and Drug Administration (Food and Drug Administration) and the Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency) issued a joint memorandum recommending that pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children consume no more than 170 grams of albacore tuna meat per week.

Those who believe that it is better not to take risks at all can join the army of vegetarians. The fact is that the human body is able to independently produce its own substitutes for EPA and DHA acids by processing omega-3 fats. The resulting acid is called linolenic acid (LA). It is also found in flaxseed, wheat and walnuts. In addition, LA acid can be found in olive oil. It is recommended to eat all these products on an empty stomach, as a main course, and not just snack on them.. The fact is that the mechanism our body uses to process omega-3s is not very efficient. Judge for yourself - from 80 grams of fish we can extract the same amount of biologically available form of omega-3 as from 340 grams of flaxseed.

Jim LaValle, naturopathic physician (associated with naturopathy (natural medicine)) from the Longevity Institute (Longer Living Institute)(Cincinnati, USA), believes that although flaxseed is often recommended instead of fish meat, these products cannot be comparable. For example, those vegetarians who are concerned about reducing inflammation may alternatively consider a supplement such as fish fat. If you are pathologically intolerant to fish oil, then you may be advised to reduce the level of so-called bad fats and increase the level of good ones by starting to consume olive oil(cold pressed), wheat germ oil, hemp oil and flaxseed oil.

2. Read food labels more carefully to eliminate “bad fats” from your diet.

Our body uses fatty acids to produce prostaglandins– hormonal substances that regulate metabolism in cells. These hormones are almost the main weapon against inflammatory processes. Since we are often forced to eat what is at hand (sandwiches, hamburgers, buns, etc.), such food has a stimulating effect on inflammation. What foods contain treacherously dangerous fats that can cause inflammation? We are talking about safflower oil (from the seeds of safflower - a plant from Asia and the Mediterranean), sunflower oil, corn oil and any other partially hydrotreated oil (processing method). Fats that help keep inflammation in check are found in freshly frozen fish, olive oil, canola oil (also called canola oil), walnuts and flax.

Start your fight against unhealthy fats with the most harmful ones - with trans fatty acids. “If your diet includes a lot of trans fatty acids, your body regularly produces more chemicals that stimulate inflammation in the body.”, says Jim Lawal. The main source of trans fatty acids is vegetable oil and hard margarine. They are also found in abundance in highly processed foods. Soon, however, these acids will be easier to identify, thanks to stricter legislation requiring manufacturers to list all trans fatty acids on the labels of products that contain them.

3. Cultivate your inner vegetarian

A hackneyed truth that does not become any less relevant - fruits and vegetables are true storehouses of antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory components. The most beneficial substances are found in fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored: for example, blueberries, strawberries, red capsicums, dark spinach and others. "Every time you eat a few brightly colored foods, you get a source of activity in the form of phytochemicals from plants, some of which have anti-inflammatory effects", - speaks Melanie Polk, director of nutrition education at the American Cancer Institute (American Institute for Cancer Research), Washington.

To dramatically increase your intake of phytochemicals, Polk says you need to start eating vegetables and fruits that are brighter in color than the vegetables and fruits you eat daily. For example, if you like green salad, choose spinach with dark green leaves; if you liked to eat banana for dessert, replace it with strawberries and so on.

Learning to eat the right amount of fruits and vegetables to provide just the right amount of nutrients into your body is not that difficult, says Polk. She advises using your plate (of any size) as a kind of measuring tool. Ideally, two-thirds of the plate should be plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. The remaining one third should be allocated to lean meat (chicken breast, fish fillet, etc.). It is worth considering including other plant foods in your diet that are simply rich in anti-inflammatory components. We are talking, first of all, about ginger And turmeric, which are also rich sources of antioxidants.

4. Dramatically reduce your consumption of wheat flour and dairy products

Any nutritionist will tell you that the surest way to develop inflammatory processes in old age is poor nutrition.

And the two most dangerous foods that can stimulate inflammation are dairy products and wheat flour products.

The stomach of people who suffer from lactose intolerance and celiac disease(intolerance to products containing the protein part of wheat flour - gluten), perceives dairy products and flour products as foreign bodies.

For such people, it is enough to sometimes eat a small piece of bread and a teaspoon of ice cream to disable their fragile immune system.

5. Tell sugar no!

Sugar and sugar-containing foods can also be a big problem, especially if you snack on them (eating something sweet during the day, between breakfast, lunch and dinner). Everyone knows why: sugar in food increases blood sugar levels dramatically. To restore balance, the pancreas must begin to produce large amounts of insulin, which in turn stimulates genes responsible for numerous inflammatory processes. This biochemical whirlpool of substances in the body is, according to experts, the main culprit in the development of second-degree diabetes– the most common type of diabetic disease on the planet. "When I need to reduce the intensity of inflammatory processes in my patients, says therapist Jim Laval, I initially need to make sure that they completely eliminate refined grain products (flour, pasta) and sugar from their diet. People are just obliged Avoid foods that stimulate inflammation".

In a healthy body healthy mind! Even in old age

Although the role of exercise in preventing inflammation is much less studied than, say, the role of diet, Experts of all stripes never tire of desperately recommending physical activity to everyone who want to curb the occurrence of inflammatory processes in their body. At the same time, no one talks about any sports achievements or grueling training. Just get up and walk around the room or office - this will already bring some benefits to your body!

If we talk about a morning jog, then an hour and a half of running a week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in men by 42 percent. Based on the Journal of the American Medical Association (Journal of the American Medical Association), people who regularly exercise practically insure themselves against excess weight in the future. And this automatically leads to a decrease in the likelihood of inflammatory processes in old age.

However, exercise can also dampen the inflammation that is already rampant in your body. Numerous studies have shown that Exercise has been shown to lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. in the body of patients (blood plasma protein, the concentration of which increases during inflammation). In fact, this protein is an indicator of the presence of inflammatory processes: the lower the CRP, the lower the intensity of inflammation.

One of the latest studies conducted by specialists from the Cooper Institute (Cooper Institute) supported by the American Heart Association (American Heart Association), was devoted to studying the influence of a man’s physical form on inflammatory processes in his body. Participated in the research 722 representatives of the stronger sex. The level of physical fitness of men was determined experimentally - they were tested on a treadmill and forced to do abdominal exercises. The presence of inflammatory processes in the body of men was judged by the level of CRP, for which a blood test was taken from the subjects.

As a result, scientists compared the levels of C-reactive protein: it turned out that CRP was lowest in those men who easily coped with the tests. Another group of subjects, who also performed well on the tests, putting a little more effort into completing them than the first group of men, had slightly higher levels of CRP. Only 16 percent of the men who completed the tests showed sufficiently high levels of CRP. What about the third group, in which not a single man coped adequately with the proposed physical activity? Almost half of the people in the third group had dangerously high levels of CRP.

It would seem that the relationship between physical activity and inflammatory processes in the body is obvious. However, Scientists still cannot understand the mechanism by which exercise affects inflammation in the body.. According to one theory, the body produces more antioxidants during exercise, which then destroy free radicals wandering around the body. William Joel Meggs, Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, author of many scientific works, I am sure that there is psychological background. He believes that exercise (especially in old age) gives the body a feeling of new youth. “Thanks to exercise, the human body feels that it is still young, which means it must produce more antioxidants in order to control inflammatory processes and slow down the aging process" , Meggs explains. The professor recommends that everyone carefully listen to the following tips, as they can significantly help your body in the fight against inflammatory processes.

Make exercise a habit! Set yourself a goal of at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day (walking, running, swimming, even physical labor in the garden). Remember: by doing a little exercise every day, you will bring yourself much more benefit than if you do serious physical activity only on weekends.

Combine different types of physical activity! In order to effectively lower CRP levels, it is necessary to combine aerobic exercise (associated with improving oxygen metabolism - walking, running, cycling) with weight lifting exercises in the gym or at home.

Don't chase Schwarzenegger's fame! If you find yourself limping every time you go to the gym, you need to reduce the intensity of your physical activity. Too zealous fans of “rocking chairs” risk regular sprains and joint injuries. Such physical activity will only spur the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the future, instead of preventing their occurrence.

Get your mind right! "The most important thing is morale., says Professor Meggs. – It must be remembered that angry, irritable people have a higher level of CRP than calm and reasonable people.". Everything is explained very simply - In stressful situations, the human body releases the biologically active hormone cortisol which is a regulator of carbohydrate metabolism in the body, and also takes part in the development of stress reactions. Its activity leads to the activity of many chemicals that lead to the development of inflammation in the body. To lower cortisol levels (and therefore CRP levels) a simple meditation. It is even better to combine meditation techniques with physical exercise. Classes are perfect for this. yoga, gymnastics tai chiquan or qigong.

According to Meggs, every person is required to understand the simplest fact: diet and exercise can really help you cope with chronic inflammatory processes. He is confident that understanding the connection between the above activities and inflammation will force many people to take the path of a healthy lifestyle. "Inflammatory processes in the human body may well be the The Holy Grail of Medicine , says Professor Meggs, which contains not only the keys to all diseases, but also the keys to health and longevity".

Doctors around the world have repeatedly noticed that many inflammatory processes in the body begin in the intestines. Two-thirds of the body's defenses are located in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The digestive system must eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses before they infect the entire body. And we provide our gastrointestinal tract with a huge amount of work every day. Our habits of eating fast, consuming huge amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, and poisoning the body with chemical additives lead to bloating, bouts of diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, heartburn - all signs of gastrointestinal inflammation.

Our ancestors ate foods that maintained a balance of omega 6 acids and omega 3 acids in the body. Linoleic acid (omega 6) is found in sunflower, corn and peanut oil. The body converts it into arachidonic acid, which, if there is a lack of omega-3 acid, can lead to inflammation. Omega-3 is found in fish, olive oil or flaxseed. Our current omega-6 to omega-3 ratio ranges between 10:1 and 25:1! Therefore, it is important to review your diet to prevent the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the intestines.

Studies have shown that a low-carbohydrate diet helps reduce various types of inflammation. Refined sugar and other high glycemic index foods raise insulin levels and put the immune system on high alert. Insulin activates enzymes that increase the level of arachidonic acid in the blood. Hormones, called eicosanoids, can either cause inflammation or act as anti-inflammatory compounds, depending on their type. High levels of insulin lead to an imbalance of eicosanoids, that is, there is a “skew” towards the type that causes inflammation. In some cases, depending on various factors, insulin suppresses inflammation, and in other cases it increases the inflammatory process. Research is currently being conducted to unravel this mechanism. When a group of obese mice with type 2 diabetes was put on a healthy diet at Harvard Medical School, their immune systems recovered to almost 100%.

Foods that contain trans fats, which lead to the formation of “bad cholesterol,” cause inflammation in the arteries. Trans fats lead to the formation of “free radicals,” which damage healthy cells in the body and lead to inflammation.

Thus, the first step to reducing inflammation at the cellular level is to change your diet. As we get older, foods that never bothered us before, such as milk or wheat, can trigger inflammatory symptoms. Avoiding certain foods can significantly reduce inflammation.

Listen to your body to understand which foods trigger inflammatory symptoms for you personally.

Hormonal imbalance.

One of the causes of inflammation is changes in the levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. There is a theory that a decrease in estrogen levels promotes the growth of the cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-6, which changes the rate of new bone formation. As a result, osteoporosis develops.

Scientists suspect that before menopause, a normal balance of hormones helps reduce inflammation, but the hormones work in complex interactions, making the exact mechanism difficult to pinpoint. What is certain is that symptoms of chronic inflammation often become more apparent during and after menopause. 75% of women acquire autoimmune diseases during this period.

Hormonal changes lead to weight gain. And there is clear evidence that additional fat cells lead to increased levels of C-reactive protein, which indicates increased inflammation.

Testing for C-reactive protein and the amino acid homocysteine ​​best detects inflammation in the body. The normal indicator is considered to be numbers from 0 to 0.6, and homocysteine ​​is 5-15.

Ecology.

An important cause of inflammation is the environmental situation. Synthetic fibers, latex, glue, plastic, air fresheners, cleaning products are just some of the chemicals that are harmful to the body.

Our body neutralizes 30 heavy metals every day, the most dangerous of which are lead and mercury. Toxins are found in drinking water, food, even breast milk. Many of these substances are fat-soluble, meaning they are stored in fat cells and gradually accumulate in the body.

Chronic exposure to harmful chemicals and irritants, even in low doses, overwhelms the immune system year after year.

Psychological reasons.

The stress hormone cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands as a result of an anxious situation, has a direct effect on insulin levels and metabolism. If you have worked hard for a long time without rest, then the body will force you to give it rest by putting you to bed with some kind of illness. In this case, the disease is a consequence of stress and tension. The body maintains performance for a long time, but cannot do this forever. Sooner or later, the nervous system will react and possibly provoke diseases such as asthma, allergies, psoriasis and eczema. Compared to other factors, stress and emotional pain are often overlooked. But it is constant stress that is often the cause of coronary heart disease. A recent study showed that depression increases the likelihood of developing ischemia by 50%.

Everyone reacts differently to a stressful situation. Some reactions are even determined at the genetic level. But we can still control most emotions if we understand how it affects our health.

Thus, the emergence of various inflammatory processes in the body can be promoted by an unbalanced diet, hormonal disorders, stress, and poor ecology. You can, of course, resign yourself and already in middle age acquire a whole bunch of various chronic diseases. But all factors are within our control, and it depends on us how we treat our health.