Chronic inflammation can occur in the body long before you are aware of any issues. It can last for several months or even years. Over time, this inflammation can cause damage to the body, resulting in health issues and conditions like autoimmune disease. Keep reading to learn more about chronic inflammation, including its symptoms, causes, and ways to treat it.
What Is Chronic Inflammation?
Inflammation is part of your body’s immune response. When something damages your cells, your body releases chemicals that trigger this response. If you experience tissue damage due to trauma, infection, or toxins, your body will produce acute inflammation that starts rapidly and lasts for a few days to a few weeks. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is slow, long-term inflammation that lasts for prolonged periods, from several months to several years. The severity and effects of chronic inflammation can vary due to the cause of injury and your body’s ability to repair and recover from the damage. When you have inflammation in your body for extended periods of time, your body stays in a constant state of alert. This leads to the production of too many pro-inflammatory cells and molecules. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage your body and lead to various health issues and conditions.
Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can look and feel different for different people. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. However, there are some signs and symptoms that commonly develop during chronic inflammation. These include:
Low energy levels
Insomnia
Body pain (myalgia or arthralgia)
Gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, constipation, gas, or acid reflux)
Anxiety, depression, and mood disorders
Frequent infections
Weight changes
Skin issues (psoriasis, eczema, blotchy skin, or red skin)
Allergies
Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to internal scarring, tissue death, DNA damage, and serious conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease, and cancer.
Testing for Chronic Inflammation
There are three primary biomarkers that can indicate inflammation in the body, and they can be tested with blood samples. One of these markers is white blood cell count. If you have a high white blood cell count, your immune system may be working overtime to get rid of an infection, resulting in inflammation. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is another biomarker. It measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a blood sample. A high ESR may indicate inflammation in the body. The third marker is high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). A high level of hs-CRP can mean you have inflammation in your body.
What Causes Chronic Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation, specifically low-grade systemic chronic inflammation (SCI), can have many causes. It can be triggered by acute inflammation that has been left untreated after an injury or infection. Other common triggers of chronic inflammation can include:
Diet
Chronic infections
Physical inactivity
Psychological stress
Social isolation
Visceral obesity
Exposure to toxins
Disturbed sleep
Disrupted circadian rhythm
Allergies
How to Treat and Prevent Chronic Inflammation
Thankfully, many of the common triggers for chronic inflammation can be controlled. It’s important to take steps to control these triggers to treat and prevent the development of inflammation. Some of the best ways to treat and prevent chronic inflammation include:
Dietary Changes - Avoiding processed foods, excess salt, sugar, white flour, large quantities of meat, and possibly gluten can help reduce inflammation. Instead, eat nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grain. Cook with olive oil, ghee, spices, and herbs. Eat probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods to improve your gut health.
Exercise - Physical activity has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers. Any exercise that gets your heart rate up is beneficial. Try to incorporate exercise into your everyday life so it becomes a healthy habit.
Manage Stress - Reducing the amount of stress in your life can reduce chronic inflammation. Make time to rest and do the things you love. Include relaxing activities such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, etc.
Sleep - Getting insufficient sleep can increase your chances of developing inflammation. Prioritize getting quality sleep so your body can repair itself and properly heal.
Eliminate Toxins - Toxins can cause chronic inflammation, so it’s best to eliminate them from your diet, home, and personal products. Common toxins include PFCs, lead, arsenic, atrazine, phthalates, BPA, organophosphate pesticides, mercury, glycol ethers, dioxin, fire retardants, and perchlorate.
Take Supplements - Certain supplements have anti-inflammatory effects and can help your body fight inflammation. Examples are fish oil, zinc, curcumin, ginger, and antioxidants.
Find the Cause of Your Chronic Inflammation
Unfortunately, many people do not know that they are experiencing inflammation until it causes negative effects throughout the body. Symptoms may appear only after inflammation is running rampant. If you think you may be experiencing chronic inflammation, Desire Wellness Group is here to help! We offer functional testing that can help us assess the complex systems of your body and find the root cause of your inflammation. We will also look at your lifestyle and health conditions to get a comprehensive understanding of your body as a whole. Together, we can work toward repair and healing to improve your chronic inflammation and overall well-being. Schedule a discovery call today to find out how we can help!
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