For Healthcare Professionals Where to Buy UNDERSTANDING PAIN What is inflammation? Learn all about the processes that cause inflammation, why it happens and how it can make our bodies feel. What is inflammation? As part of activity and movements in everyday life, joints are constantly dealing with pressure and damage. Your body is usually able to repair this damage by itself. Normally, this repair process will happen automatically without you noticing or seeing any symptoms. How long does inflammation last? Acute inflammation is an immune response that usually lasts for only a few days and is normally beneficial for healing, though it is often accompanied by unpleasant sensations such as itching or soreness. It happens when the immune system tries to protect organs from infection and injury. Its purpose is to localise and eliminate damaged tissue so that the body can begin to heal. *What is an inflammation? - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health. 2016. What is an inflammation? - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072482/. [Accessed 08 April 2016]. DID YOU KNOW? Inflammation occurs when blood vessels expand to let more blood get to the injured tissue. This is why the area gets red and hot.* Symptoms of inflammation There are five signs, or symptoms, that may indicate an acute inflammation: redness, heat, swelling, pain and finding it hard to move the affected area of your body normally. Some inflammation may be minor, affecting only a small area and will heal on its own, but it can also be widespread, painful and require treatment. Diagnosis and treatment If your pain is severe or lasts for a long time you should consult your doctor. He or she may conduct an examination and possibly order a blood test or imaging tests, such as an X-ray, MRI or CT scan to find out the cause of the inflammation. A doctor may also recommend treatment, such as taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are used for anti-inflammatory purposes and pain relief. *GSK Global Pain Index Research 2014, report, p.40 Learn more What is pain? Understand why our bodies experience the sensation of pain and the many causes of body pain. Pains & Treatments Find out how you should treat your specific type of pain… How does Voltarol work? Learn how Voltarol works to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and helps speed up recovery. **vs non medicated placebo patch Privacy Policy Terms of Use Cookie Policy Site Map Contact Us Voltarol Back and Muscle Pain Relief 1.16% Gel, Voltarol Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Relief 1.16% Gel (for non-serious arthritic conditions), Voltarol Joint Pain Relief 2.32% Gel and Voltarol 12 Hour Joint Pain Relief 2.32% Gel contain diclofenac diethylammonium, and can be used for muscular / joint pain relief. Do not use on children under 14 years. Always read the label. Voltarol 140 mg Medicated Plaster for relief of pain and inflammation contains diclofenac sodium. Always read the label. Do not use on children under 16 years. ©2021 GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare This website is intended for United Kingdom residents only. Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. CHGBI/CHVOLT/0193/19 Follow us Cookie Settings