It seems inflammation is the latest health trend everyone is talking about.
That’s great, but what does it actually mean, especially when it comes to ‘chronic’ inflammation?
Inflammation isn’t all bad, it’s your body’s natural response to injuries and ‘invaders’ like germs, viruses and toxic chemicals. For example, a mild fever is a good inflammation in response to picking up a cold. It’s a sign your body is sending the right response to an invader.
It’s when your body uses inflammation on things that aren’t injured or invaders, or it goes on for too long that the problems start.
Problem inflammation is diagnosed in two different ways: acute and chronic.
Acute and chronic
Acute inflammation is sudden and temporary. Chronic inflammation is when your body sends inflammation cells even when there is no danger or continues to send inflammation cells after an event.
The extent and effects of chronic inflammation vary. Chronic inflammation can last months, years, or even your lifetime and it may improve or get worse at any time.
It can be involved in such issues as asthma, type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, some mental health conditions and certain cancers.
Needless to say, it’s not a good thing, but you may be suffering from chronic inflammation and not even realise.
The following are some signs you may have chronic inflammation:
- Abdominal pain or general discomfort
- Depression and anxiety
- Gastrointestinal complications such as diarrhoea or constipation
- Wait gain or loss
- Frequent infections
- Fatigue or insomnia
- Mouth sores
- Skin rashes
- Muscle weakness.
Injuries and infections are the main causes of chronic inflammation, but several lifestyle factors may contribute as well, including:
- Being overweight
- Elevated stress levels
- Low exercise habits
- Poor gut health
- Eating foods high in trans fat or salt
- Poor sleep
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Exposure to toxins such as chemical waste and pollution.
How do you treat it?
That sounds like a lot, so what can you do about it?
If you suspect you are suffering from chronic inflammation the first thing you should do is trot off to your doctor for a thorough checkup as it’s not something that can be cured by over-the-counter medications.
Your GP will be able to guide you through diagnosis and treatment options which may involve supplements as well as drug schedules.
However, if you can cut out some of the above lifestyle factors, that should go a long way to giving your body a fighting chance to improve your situation.
You can also try cutting out highly processed foods and incorporate some more anti-inflammatory food in your diet, including:
- tomatoes
- olive oil
- green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale and Asian greens
- nuts like almonds and walnuts
- fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines
- fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries and oranges.
Have you ever suffered from chronic inflammation? How did you treat it? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: More than 20 per cent of over 65s living with pain
