The Surprising Science Behind Swelling

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health problems. Inflammation can cause pain, redness, heat, and swelling in the affected area. In this article, we will dive into the basics of inflammation, including what it is, how it works, and why it causes swelling. We will also provide a step-by-step guide on how to reduce swelling naturally, including the use of CBD.

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is a natural response of the body's immune system to injury, infection, or harmful substances. When something harmful enters the body, such as a virus, bacteria, or a splinter, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response to protect the body. The inflammatory response is a complex process that involves various cells, chemicals, and proteins that work together to remove the harmful substance and repair the damaged tissue.

How Does Inflammation Work?

When the body detects an injury or infection, it sends out white blood cells to the affected area. The white blood cells release chemicals that cause the blood vessels in the area to dilate and become more permeable. This allows more blood flow and white blood cells to enter the affected area. The increased blood flow and white blood cells cause redness, heat, and swelling in the area.

The white blood cells also release chemicals called cytokines that help coordinate the inflammatory response. The cytokines signal other cells to come to the area and help with the repair process. The increased blood flow also brings oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, which helps with the healing process.

Why Does Inflammation Cause Swelling?

Swelling is a common symptom of inflammation. When the blood vessels in the affected area become more permeable, fluid leaks out into the surrounding tissue. This causes the tissue to swell and become inflamed. The increased blood flow also causes swelling because the blood vessels become congested with blood and fluid.

Inflammation can also cause pain and discomfort in the affected area. The pain is caused by the release of chemicals called prostaglandins, which stimulate the nerve endings and cause pain signals to be sent to the brain.

Natural Ways to Reduce Swelling

Before you can address inflammation, you need to figure out what's causing it. Inflammation can be triggered by a wide range of factors, including:

• Infections: bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can cause inflammation as the immune system fights off the invaders.

• Injuries: cuts, bruises, fractures, and sprains can lead to inflammation as the body tries to heal the damaged tissue.

• Allergies: allergic reactions to foods, medications, or environmental factors can trigger inflammation.

• Chronic diseases: conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or Crohn's disease can cause chronic inflammation that damages the body over time.

Identifying the root cause of inflammation can help you take the appropriate measures to reduce it.

Method 1: Adopt An Anti-inflammatory diet

One of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation is through diet. Certain foods can either promote or suppress inflammation in the body. To reduce swelling naturally, you should focus on an anti-inflammatory diet that includes:

• Fruits and vegetables: these are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals that help combat inflammation.

• Whole grains: these contain fiber and other nutrients that support gut health and reduce inflammation.

• Healthy fats: such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, can reduce inflammation and promote heart health.

• Spices and herbs: ginger, turmeric, garlic, and other spices and herbs have anti-inflammatory properties and can be added to your meals or taken as supplements.

• CBD is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can easily be found in many of your favorite snack forms, such as gummies. You can also put a tincture (CBD Oil) directly under your tongue, or mix it into your favorite recipe!

On the other hand, you should avoid or limit foods that promote inflammation, such as:

• Processed foods: these are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats that can trigger inflammation.

• Saturated and trans fats: found in red meat, dairy products, and fried foods, these can increase inflammation and worsen health outcomes.

• Refined carbohydrates: such as white bread, pasta, and pastries, can raise blood sugar levels and trigger inflammation.

By adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, you can reduce swelling naturally and improve your overall health.

Method 2: Manage stress

Stress is a known trigger of inflammation, as it activates the release of stress hormones that can increase inflammation in the body. Therefore, it's important to find ways to manage stress and promote relaxation. This can include:

• Mindfulness meditation: a practice that involves focusing on the present moment and accepting it without judgment, can reduce stress and inflammation.

• Yoga: a combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation that can promote relaxation and reduce inflammation.

• Exercise: regular physical activity can boost mood, reduce stress, and improve overall health, including inflammation.

• Sleep: getting enough quality sleep can improve mood, reduce stress, and lower inflammation levels.

By managing stress, you can reduce swelling naturally and promote better health outcomes.

Method 3: RICE Protocol Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation

If you have an injury or inflammation, one of the most effective processes is the RICE protocol, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

• Resting the affected area can help reduce further damage and promote healing.
• Applying ice or a cold pack to the area can help reduce pain and swelling by constricting blood vessels and decreasing blood flow.
• Compression with an elastic bandage or sleeve can also help reduce swelling by preventing fluid from accumulating in the affected area.
• Elevating the affected area above heart level can help reduce swelling by facilitating drainage and promoting blood flow back to the heart. For comfort, place a pillow under the affected area while resting.

Method 4: Common Anti-inflammatory Topicals

While many of these topicals work great individually, they work even better together. For example, this pain cream contains both CBD and Menthol!

1. CBD Cream: CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, CBD cream interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating a variety of physiological processes, including inflammation. This is the most effective way to use CBD when dealing with local swelling.

2. Arnica gel: a popular topical treatment for inflammation that is made from the arnica plant, which is native to Europe and North America. The gel is made by extracting the active compounds from the plant, which works by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow to the affected area, helping to speed up the healing process.

3. Capsaicin cream: Capsaicin is the compound that gives chili peppers their spicy kick.  When applied to the skin, capsaicin cream works by depleting the nerve cells of a neurotransmitter called substance P, which is involved in the transmission of pain signals to the brain. This reduces the amount of pain that is felt and can also help to reduce inflammation in the affected area. It is generally considered safe to use, but it can cause a burning or stinging sensation when first applied to the skin. This sensation usually goes away after a few minutes.

4. Menthol rubs: When menthol is applied topically to the skin, it produces a cooling sensation that can help to numb pain and reduce inflammation. It works by activating the body's cold receptors, which sends a signal to the brain to reduce pain and swelling. In addition to its pain-relieving properties, menthol has also been shown to have a vasodilatory effect, which means that it can widen blood vessels and increase blood flow to the affected area. This can help to improve circulation and speed up the healing process.

5. Topical NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen can be applied topically in the form of gels or creams to help reduce inflammation and pain. They work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that promote inflammation, swelling, and pain in the body.

   While NSAIDs are generally effective at reducing inflammation and pain, they can also have side effects. Common side effects of NSAIDs include upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More serious side effects can occur in some people, including stomach ulcers, bleeding, kidney problems, and allergic reactions. Because of the potential for these effects, it is important to use NSAIDs carefully and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. It is also important to read the label and follow the instructions carefully, especially with regard to dosing and frequency of use.

6. DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a solvent that can penetrate the skin and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. DMSO can be applied topically to help reduce inflammation and pain.