When inflammation becomes harmful

Inflammation becomes problematic when it is severe or long-term. The inflammatory response does not shut off, immune system becomes overactive, free radicals escape from the cells and start destroying healthy tissues. This can happen when an immune stimulus persists for a prolonged period of time, beyond that in which the immune system would normally have eliminated the it. Long-term inflammation, even mild, can alter cellular functioning and lead to disease.

If inflammation develops into chronic systemic inflammation, it is not confined to a particular tissue, but involves the lining of blood vessels, nervous, endocrine and many other internal organs and systems. This inflammatory process is often associated with free radical damage and oxidative stress and may not cause pain, as some internal organs do not relay pain. Because there is no pain, you may not be aware of the serious damage systemic inflammation is causing, often leading to chronic, debilitating and even life-threatening diseases.