According to the Travelers Insurance, 5% of the total number of claims studied included an element of inflammation. Inflammation is the most commonly reported stress injury, meaning that it occurs most often due to the overuse of certain joints and muscles. This condition causes physical pain and loss of work time and is a frequent injury that many employees endure.

When an inflammation occurs in your body, many different immune system cells may be involved. They release various substances, known as inflammatory mediators. These include the hormones bradykinin and histamine. They cause the small blood vessels in the tissue to become wider, allowing more blood to reach the injured tissue. For this reason, inflamed areas turn red and feel hot.

Inflammation is classified into two main types:

– Acute inflammation usually occurs for a short duration. It often resolves in two weeks or less. Symptoms appear quickly. This type restores your body to its state before injury or illness.

– Chronic inflammation is aslower and generally less severe form of inflammation. It typically lasts longer than 4 weeks. It can occur even when there’s no injury, and it doesn’t always end when the illness or injury is healed. Chronic inflammation has been linked to autoimmune disorders and even prolonged stress.

Acute inflammation produces very obvious and immediate symptoms such as:

– Redness
– Pain
– Warmth
– Swelling

Chronic inflammation is a more gradual and subtle process. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

– Muscle aches and joint pain
– Gastrointestinal issues
– Weight gain
– Headaches
– Skin rashes

In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits in Illinois, an injured worker must prove that the injury was work-related. If you suffer from chronic and acute inflammation because of conditions on the job or a workplace injury, it is important to consider your legal rights. Since 1962, the attorneys at Krol, Bongiorno, and Given Ltd. have handled well over 30,000 claims for injured workers throughout the state of Illinois, and are prepared to investigate your injuries and identify options to recover damages. For immediate help with a work injury case, call (312) 726-5567 for a free consultation or contact us online.