Definition

A normal part of the body’s response to injury or infection. Inflammation occurs when the body releases chemicals that trigger an immune response to fight off infection or heal damaged tissue. Once the injury or infection is healed, the inflammatory process ends. Chronic inflammation is an abnormal immune response in which the inflammatory process does not end when it should or may begin when there is no infection or injury. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues, and organs. This can lead to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer disease, and autoimmune conditions.