Ontsteking: Inleiding

Inflammation is a protective response of tissues to injury, infection, or harmful stimuli.

It is characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and sometimes loss of function.

Common causes of inflammation include:

Physical injury, such as a sprained ankle, damages ligaments and causes redness, swelling, and pain.

Chemical exposure, such as contact with caustic agents like drain cleaner, can cause chemical burns and localized inflammation.

Ischemia, or reduced blood supply, causes oxygen deprivation and cell injury; if prolonged, this results in tissue death, known as infarction, and triggers inflammation.

Immune responses, such as in allergic reactions, can trigger inflammation, as seen in allergic rhinitis. Common triggers include pollen, dust, mold, or animal dander, which can inflame the nasal passages after exposure.

Thermal extremes, like sunburn, damage skin cells and trigger inflammation—causing redness, warmth, and pain.

Foreign bodies, such as splinters, activate a local immune response, leading to swelling and tenderness at the site.