What do you understand when you hear the word 'inflammation?' It definitely doesn't sound right, but it might be surprising to know that this complex biological process has both positive and negative aspects to it. According to WebMD, inflammation is actually good, but only if it is short-term. It is your immune system's response to an injury or an infection, which helps in the recovery process. However, when the inflammation becomes chronic, it can contribute to long-term health conditions like Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), cancer, diabetes, and more.
In light of the negative effects of inflammation on the body, many of us may wonder what we can do about it. The answer to it is to first identify whether or not you have an inflammation. This is because inflammation can sometimes be silent and may not produce any symptoms. That’s when certain tests come into play. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr A. P. Singh, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, Kaushambi, shares useful insights into when you should get tested for inflammation and the type of tests available.
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When Should You Get Tested for Inflammation?
Dr Singh describes inflammation as the body's way of responding to an injury, infection, or long-term health condition. However, when inflammation becomes persistent or unexplained, it may be a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention, he notes.
Some key signs that indicate the need for an inflammation test include:
- Ongoing fatigue and body aches
- Chronic joint pain or stiffness
- Frequent fevers or infections
- Skin rashes or redness
- Unexplained swelling
- Digestive issues like bloating or irregular bowel movements
If you're experiencing these symptoms for a while without a clear cause, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor about getting tested.
Common Tests For Inflammation And How They Differ
There are several tests used to detect inflammation, each with its own purpose:
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test: This type of test checks for CRP, a protein produced by the liver when inflammation is present. It’s useful for spotting general inflammation but doesn’t pinpoint the exact cause.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): This test measures how quickly Red Blood Cells (RBCs) settle in a test tube. A faster rate suggests inflammation, but like CRP, it doesn't tell where the underlying cause is.
Procalcitonin test: This test helps differentiate bacterial infections from other types of inflammation, especially in cases of sepsis.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) test: This type of test measures IL-6, a protein linked to immune response, often used in monitoring chronic inflammatory diseases.
Fibrinogen test: This test looks at fibrinogen, a clotting protein that increases with inflammation.
White Blood Cell (WBC) count: This test is usually included in the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test you get during your routine screening. Elevated WBC levels can suggest infection or immune-related inflammation.
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There are also at-home test kits that can help give you a general idea about the inflammation levels in your body. This includes CRP, which uses a small blood sample from a finger prick. However, these tests aren’t always as reliable as lab tests because results can be affected by how the sample is collected and processed.
Can Chronic Inflammation Go Undetected? What People Can Do About It?
According to Dr Singh, chronic inflammation can be sneaky, as sometimes it doesn’t cause obvious symptoms.
Unlike acute inflammation, which comes with swelling, pain, and redness, long-term inflammation can quietly contribute to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders, he explains, emphasising the role of regular check-ups and lab tests, especially if a person has risk factors like obesity, smoking, or a family history of chronic illnesses.
Conclusion
Having inflammation in the body is common. It can occur if you have a viral infection or a long-term disease like cancer or diabetes. The trickiest part about inflammation is that sometimes it can be silent, and you may have it even without knowing. That’s when tests become crucial. So, if you suspect an inflammation in your body, consult a doctor and get necessary tests to plan forward.