Stage 2: Inflammatory Process of Healing

 

There are four stages to the healing process:

Stage 1 Hemostasis

Stage 2 Inflammatory

Stage 3 Proliferative

Stage 4 Remodeling

The healing process will happen internally as well as externally so taking care of our bodies should include our largest organ, our skin (12-15% of our bodies), as well.

In order for the healing process to begin, unfortunately we need some form of trauma to occur. This can be either physical, like a skinned knee, or bacterial, such as food poisoning.

Once the trauma occurs, Stage one, Hemostasis begins and on the scene first are fibrins, a protein and platelets, blood clotting cells.

The fibrins are the glue, and the platelets are like the scaffolding and together they form an insoluble protectant over the wound. The two team up to coat the ‘crime scene’ to stop any bleeding that may be occurring from any broken vessels. Once the repairs are finished, the fibrin will dissolve to let the wound heal.

Under the fibrin’s protection, dilation to the blood vessels will occur that will allow the oxygen rich blood and the white blood cells to infiltrate the enemy cells. This is stage two, Inflammation. The inflammation process eliminates damaged cells, pathogens, and bacteria from the wounded areas.

Pus will form during this process as it is the bodies way of shedding the dead enemy’s carcasses.

Stage three is Proliferative.

During this stage, the builders, aka, the proteins, come in and start repairing the damage done by the enemy cells. The collagen is produced as needed so the damaged area will be disorganized and thicker. This also means the white blood cells have done their job and killed off the enemy cells and cleared the path for the builders.

Once the repairs are done then the last stage of healing, Remodeling, begins and this is where all the collagen we eat helps out.

During this stage, the Fibroblasts step on board and begin the remodeling and the re-organization of the extracellular matrix of the tissues that were damaged by the enemy cells. This process begins about 21 days in and can n continue for a year or longer.

What are the tools needed for the healing process to successfully take place?

Sounds like a question for next post.

God bless.