What is inflammation characterized by?

Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury or infection, and it is characterized primarily by swelling and tenderness. When tissues are damaged or pathogens invade, the body responds with an increase in blood flow to the affected area, which leads to the accumulation of fluid and immune cells. This process results in the typical signs of inflammation, including swelling (edema) and tenderness or pain, as the affected area becomes sensitive due to the inflammatory mediators released by the immune system.

While chronic pain can sometimes be associated with prolonged inflammation, and loss of appetite or skin changes like dryness and redness may occur under certain conditions, those factors do not fully encapsulate inflammation itself. The hallmark signs—swelling and tenderness—are the most direct indicators of this physiological process, making them the defining characteristics of inflammation.