What is it exactly?
And especially now-a-days when people are putting their bodies through the max every waking moment (and sometimes sleeping!) the process of inflammation is on overdrive. Gum disease and painful stomach ulcers can be linked with the over production of H. pylori bacteria. When the process of inflammation lasts too long, it can easily spread to other parts of the body from where it originally started.
Inflammation is meant to help the body deal with problems and infections. The act of inflammation it's self is not the problem and when in proper working order, it's exceptionally helpful. It helps make blood clot when there is a wound as well as increases the blood flow. Wherever there is a threat to the body, whether it be perceived (emotional hurt) or serious i-just-tore-off-my-leg kind of action, the process of inflammation is ready to act.
We run into a problem when inflammation continues on too long and becomes chronic inflammation. It kills off the good and healthy cells in an attempt to get rid of the bad bacteria. Look at it this way: Cops are often great at hitting the scene of the crime efficiently and taking care of the problem. But what would happen if they stayed there too long and perceived everything as a threat, no matter how normal the situation? The cops would start creating new problems, and what was once a great help now hinders the normal functioning processes.