Symptoms and Signs of Chronic Inflammation and Tips for Reducing Inflammation

Chronic inflammation affects approximately 133 million Americans per year. Inflammation is the root cause of all modern-day diseases including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and autoimmune conditions and it is not something to take lightly.

Chronic inflammation occurs for a prolonged period and can affect different areas throughout the body. In 2014 it was estimated that over half of Americans had no less than one sickness connected to chronic inflammation with the greater part of these individuals having more than one.

Chronic inflammation has turned into a pandemic, however, one that we have normalized. We chalk up these side effects to exactly what occurs as we age. Because these sicknesses are considered normal with age does not imply that they are ordinary.

For example, type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes because it was only seen in adults. Now that it has become more common in children, it has been relabeled as type 2 diabetes. This is just one example of how these diseases are not a product of aging but rather our lifestyle.

In this article, we are going to discuss the most common signs of chronic inflammation and what you can do to improve symptoms.

Inflammation is a defense mechanism used by the body when something is attempting to harm it. It is the process by which the body fights this threat and attempts to heal. An injury, an infection, or a toxin can cause tissue inflammation.

Let us start off by defining what inflammation is because it is not entirely a bad thing. There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic.

Acute inflammation is beneficial to the body because it acts as a protection mechanism. Consider how the inflammatory reaction manifests itself when you roll your ankle. The area will become red, swollen, and stiff. As the damage heals, the inflammation will subside.

Chronic inflammation occurs when this reaction continues, leaving your body in a state of high alert and stress. At this point, inflammation can start to cause issues and disease.

How do you know if you are suffering from chronic inflammation? It may be difficult to diagnose because most people with chronic inflammatory diseases have more than one symptom, which can manifest in diverse ways throughout the body.

Let us discuss the most common signs of chronic inflammation.

1. Low Energy

Even after a good night's sleep, if you always feel worn out and sick, it may be an indication of chronic inflammation. Many inflammatory disorders have fatigue as a typical symptom. Energy availability and consumption may be out of balance because of low-grade inflammation.

It further depletes you of the fuel you need to feel energized and increases the necessity of cellular energy to ensure the rapid regeneration of immune cells.

2. Joint and Muscle Pain

Of course, it is completely natural to have severe joint and muscular discomfort. It is good for your muscles to be sore after a challenging workout because it means they are breaking down and rebuilding. However, it is not good if your muscles or joints are constantly aching.

Conditions marked by morning stiffness that lasts more than an hour as well as pain, swelling, tenderness, and warmth in the joints are all examples of inflammatory arthritis. There is no need for the immune system to release inflammatory substances, but it does so anyhow. Inflammation that results from this attack on joint structures can cause pain, swelling, and muscle loss.

3. Brain Fog

Another extremely typical symptom of inflammatory disorders is brain fog. According to a study released at the end of 2019, inflammation specifically harms the brain's capacity to become and stay alert.

After receiving an injection of a vaccination that is known to temporarily exacerbate inflammation, study participants underwent a cognitive test. The study found that when the same people received placebo injections of merely water, they did better on the same test.

These unexpected findings imply that acute inflammation impairs behavioral performance and requires greater cognitive effort from individuals while preparing for a task. If you cannot figure out why you are experiencing brain fog, it can be an indication of chronic inflammation.

4. Digestive Problems

Another symptom of chronic inflammation is poor digestion, which includes bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms can result from an inflammatory response brought on by an imbalance in gut bacteria.

IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease, is the term used to describe digestive system inflammation problems. Once more, the body is creating an inflammatory response in response to an imaginary issue.

5. Frequent Infections

Another indication that you may have chronic inflammation is the feeling that you always have a cold or the flu. Your immune system may become weakened because of excessive inflammation, which may make you sicker more frequently. It makes sense that being constantly sick could result from your immune system working nonstop for months or even years when you have chronic inflammation and not being able to fight off these pathogens.

6. Allergies

You might not have anticipated this, but there is still another instance of chronic inflammation that is related to a compromised immune system. Inflammation brought on by substances that we mistakenly produce from our own cells to protect ourselves causes the symptoms of allergies, such as red, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and the swelling of our airways.

7. Depression and Anxiety

There is a connection between depression and heightened immune activation, and many people with chronic illnesses also experience depression and anxiety. There is no coincidence in the prevalence of mood disorders and chronic inflammation today.

Those are some of the most common signs of chronic inflammation but what can you do if you have chronic inflammation? Reducing inflammation should be your main priority. Some of the methods for doing this are obvious, while others may not be.

Alcohol and smoking both have a significant impact. It has long been understood that smoking raises inflammatory markers. In a 2016 study, researchers found that smoking causes some white blood cells to become activated and release chemicals that exacerbate inflammation. At the very least, quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol intake can reduce inflammation because chronic alcohol consumption damages our gut and liver function.

Our diets can have a significant impact on inflammation. It should come as no surprise that we are always inflamed if we consume inflammatory foods daily. Refined sugar, margarine, vegetable oils including canola, soybean, and maize oil, as well as refined grains and carbohydrates, are some of the foods that mostly cause inflammation. The inflammation in your body will decrease if you can eliminate these foods from your diet.

Following a good anti-inflammatory diet is a great start in controlling inflammation.

Exercise in moderation boosts the immune system and causes cells to respond in an anti-inflammatory manner. This can be done as simply as taking a few walks during the day. It is not necessary for you to run or lift weights. Yes, those types of exercise have their advantages, but the most crucial thing is to start your body moving in any way.

Much of what our bodies perform requires sleep. It is an opportunity for our body to recuperate, and getting enough rest can support the health of our immune system. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day.

Finally, we aim to lower our stress levels. Stress reduction equals a decrease in inflammation. The stress hormone cortisol in our bodies has the power to both boost and depress the immune system. Chronic stress lowers it whereas acute stress boosts it. You should always work toward reducing your stress level.

In conclusion, chronic inflammation is a serious health concern with an important link to many diseases. The key to managing chronic inflammation is to recognize the symptoms, identify the root cause, and take steps to reduce the inflammatory response. This may include lifestyle changes and/or therapies to reduce and control inflammation, as well as effective natural remedies to control pain and inflammation. Through effective management and lifestyle changes, it is possible to reduce symptoms and minimize further damage.