Inflammation is a pain.  Actually, it’s what happens when your body’s immune systems   protect us from infection and alien substances like toxins, bacteria and viruses .  On the other hand , in auto immune diseases, the immune system wrongly triggers inflammation without reason and creates damage to itself   Your  body assaults healthy tissues as if they are  diseased or contaminated . When inflammation occurs , chemicals from your white blood cells are released into the blood or afflicted tissues in an attempt to rid the body of alien substances . This release of chemicals adds to the flow of blood to the immediate area and may result in swelling, warmth and redness . Sadly , inflammation can stimulate nerves and create significant pain.

Arthritis is a well known term that describes inflammation in joints . Some, but not all, types of arthritis are the fallout from misdirected inflammation.  Some types of inflammatory arthritis  include:rheumatoid arthritis, Shoulder tendinitis or bursitis and Gout .

While not all  need to be present , the basic symptoms of inflammation are swelling, redness, pain or stiffness in the joint and a decrease or loss in function   Also , Inflammation might as well be connected with general “flu-like” symptoms like – feeling chilled or feverishness headaches and a lack of energy lack of appetite and muscle stiffness.

While the immediate pain caused because of inflammation is lousy enough, the increased number of cells and inflammatory substances – in the long term damaging the cartilage (cushions at the end of bones) and joint lining.  Inflammation can also affect organs.   The nature of the symptoms depends on which organs are affected .

• An inflamed heart (myocarditis) may cause shortness of breath or leg swelling
• Inflammation of the small tubes that transport air to the lungs may set off an asthma episode
• Kidney inflammation (nephritis) can cause high blood pressure or kidney failure
• Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) may cause diarrhea and cramps .

Pain might not be an obvious symptom of the inflammatory disease , because many organs do not have many pain-sensitive nerves.

There are different treatment alternatives for inflammation , but as a rule , the medical community will rely on prescription anti-inflammatories, pain medication, rest, exercise, and surgery to correct joint damage.

The goals of treating inflammation are to:

• Avoid or modify activities that aggravate pain
• Ease pain through analgesics (pain- relief medications ) and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Maintain joint mobility and muscle strength through physical therapy
• Support the joints with braces, splints or canes as necessary

What is absent are any preventative ideas or self help steps designed to essentially support your body by boosting your antioxidant levels , making dietary improvements , cutting stress in your life and dealing with everyday toxins – because they truly are everywhere.  Antioxidants will help your body to fight toxins and in particular the family of antioxidants known as Betalains found in the wellness drink Nopalea are particularly well suited as natural inflammation fighters.