What is the difference between Acute Inflammation and Chronic Inflammation?

Acute inflammation is an inflammation that occurs quickly. As it occurs, it becomes severe. It is quick, and just as quick as the symptoms appear is as fast as they go away. However, there are rare cases where the symptoms can last weeks. An example of acute inflammation is a sore throat, which comes out of nowhere or a cut on a hand. Chronic inflammations last for a longer period of time. They can be around for a couple of months to a couple of years. Examples of chronic inflammations are autoimmune diseases, asthma, ulcers, and Chrons disease.

Inflammation is a reaction of the tissues, and it may be acute or chronic. There are two phases of acute inflammation. These include the immediate phase and the delayed phase. The immediate phase of acute inflammation is because of the release of histamine.

Acute inflammation generates the release of more potent mediators. With inflammation, the release of histamine is triggered by most cells, blood vessel lining cells, and platelets—chronic inflammation results from acute inflammation.

Acute inflammation, healing, and immune reactions happen simultaneously in chronic inflammation. There is also a demolition phase that involves the removal of damaged tissues from the inflamed area. Scarring is the way that the tissues heal through white blood cells and scavenger cells.