If you are suffering from a chronic condition, neurogenic inflammation could be at the heart of it. Linked to everything from arthritis and asthma, to colitis and psoriasis, this nerve-induced inflammation is the result of the sensory nerve endings in your body’s nervous system triggering a cascading process of sensitization and inflammation. When a chemical irritant stimulates the nerve sensors, they release pro-inflammatory substances known as neuropeptides, which can produce pain, swelling, temperature increases, and more. This is in contrast to immunogenic inflammation, which is triggered by allergens in the body’s immune system.
Recent scientific advances have shown that neurogenic inflammation could play a key role in interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome. The secretion of neuropeptides to the bladder can lead to the release of inflammation-inducing compounds by mast cells, dilatation of blood vessels, or disruption to the bladder wall, and can also affect the bladder’s response to distention. When neurogenic inflammation is persistent, new nerve pathways are continuously initiated, amplifying the available channels for inflammation to be spread.