A Marker That Reveals Inflammation in Our Body
Inflammation tests conducted at hospitals can indicate the severity of inflammation, but they cannot diagnose its exact cause or pinpoint its location.
Inflammation can occur due to bacterial or viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or even when cancer spreads widely. To make a diagnosis, additional blood or urine samples may be needed to confirm an infection. In some cases, imaging tests such as plain radiography, MRI scans, or radionuclide scans may be required to detect tumors or abscesses, which are sites of inflammation.
What Are Inflammatory Proteins?
When the body experiences damage or infection, it produces more of a special type of protein known as inflammatory proteins.
In hospitals, blood tests are used to measure the levels of these proteins to assess whether inflammation is present. These inflammation tests are often the first ones performed when a patient visits with vague or unclear symptoms. In some infections, inflammation cannot be clearly identified except through such tests, making them crucial.
They are also useful for monitoring the progression of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, or assessing how well a treatment is working.
A Quick Indicator of Inflammation: C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
One of the most specific markers that reflect inflammation is a protein called C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood.
Testing CRP levels is considered one of the most important ways to determine whether inflammation exists and to assess its severity. CRP levels can be measured directly from blood samples using testing devices. Because CRP levels change rapidly depending on the degree of inflammation, it is a useful marker for evaluating treatment effectiveness—even before symptoms visibly improve.
CRP levels increase in cases of myocardial infarction, stress, trauma, infections, inflammation, surgeries, and tumors. It can also help distinguish between viral infections and bacterial infections (which cause a significant rise). Additionally, CRP testing is useful for tracking the progression and remission of autoimmune diseases.
Findings from Recent Epidemiological Studies
Recent epidemiological studies suggest that CRP, along with blood lipids, can be used to assess the risk of coronary artery disease.
It has been found that people with high CRP levels are at a significantly increased risk of stroke and heart attack. This implies that inflammatory markers are not only used to detect infections but can also serve as valuable predictors of cardiovascular disease risk.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
