7 signs that you suffer from chronic inflammation in the body and you did not know it
The chronic inflammation of low level appears to play a role in a number of diseases, autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto, arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and even depression.
When the immune response to inflammation is constantly activated, it can damage the body over time rather than heal it.
Some have wondered to what extent inflammation can be so bad since it actually manifests itself naturally as a defensive response of the body to a foreign agent.
First, normal inflammation, that is, inflammation of the non-chronic variety helps protect against infection and injury. When you strain or sprain a muscle, or cut yourself, for example, a healthy immune system stimulates a defense mechanism that allows the injury to heal.
But chronic, overactive inflammation can wreak havoc on the body. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a good illustration of this. RA is a painful condition that results from ongoing inflammation of the joints, skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Besides arthritis, abnormal inflammation is responsible for all other ‘-itis’ conditions, such as bursitis (inflammation of the elbow, knee, or shoulder) and hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
7 signs of chronic inflammation
In this article, we will focus on chronic inflammation. We will also suggest ways to reduce, and in some cases eliminate, the chronic response to inflammation.
Chronic fatigue
Some neuroscientists believe that chronic inflammation is directly related to chronic fatigue.
These scientists have discovered a biological connection between the inflammatory response of the immune system and activity within the brain and spinal cord. This relationship allows chronic inflammation to interfere with the brain’s circadian rhythm, which controls sleep / wake cycles.
Red or itchy skin
High levels of stress produce a disproportionately large amount of inflammatory chemicals, and these can affect skin health. People with chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may see their symptoms flare up. Chronic inflammation may also lead to episodic acne or itchy and swollen skin.
Excess belly fat
Excess abdominal fat can be a driving factor in inflammatory processes, according to researchers. The research team also found that environmental toxins are related to the degree of inflammatory response.
With findings like these, it is beneficial for us to monitor our weight and consider losing a few pounds if necessary.
Digestive problems
There is an intricate link between inflammation levels and the body’s digestive health. Frequent episodes of bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea, or vomiting are potential signs of an elevated inflammatory response.
It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that stomach problems are not a big problem, and they may not be. However, if these problems are constant, it is not normal, and it may be an indication of an underlying health condition.
Food intolerances
Sensitivity to certain foods is a common problem that drives the immune system into overdrive. When this happens, inflammatory chemicals are dispersed to ward off food by-products and protect the person.
Milk, gluten, eggs, grains, sugar, and corn are some of the main culprits for food intolerance. Fortunately, simply avoiding these foods will stabilize both your immune system and inflammation levels.
Headaches or migraines
Persistent headaches are potential signs of increased levels of inflammation. Similar to digestive problems, headaches can also be stimulated by toxins in the environment that cause inflammation.
In a study researchers found a positive correlation (relationship) between migraine diagnoses and inflammatory markers within the body.
Depression or depressive symptoms
Depression and depressive symptoms are complicated, as many factors contribute to the conditions. Contradictory as it may seem, chronic inflammation can be one of those factors.
Many physicians have reached this conclusion citing the frequency with which patients diagnosed with depression have high levels of inflammation. In addition, these people are more likely to suffer from an inflammation-related health problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
Treatment of chronic inflammation
There are ways to counteract and prevent health problems caused by chronic inflammation. Here are the big three:
Exercise: Fat cells produce excessive amounts of inflammatory chemicals. Try to get 30 minutes of physical activity at least three times a week. To make the exercise a little easier, try some physical activity that you enjoy, or break the 30 minutes into 10-15 minute increments.
Get Your Omega-3: Omega-3s contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Some foods rich in this fatty acid include chia seeds, fish, fish oil, flax seeds, lean meats, shellfish, soybeans, spinach, and walnuts.
Reduce refined carbohydrates: To reduce the effects of inflammation and inflammation-related medical conditions, it is essential to reduce or eliminate the amount of flour and sugar from our diet. Some of the most common sources of refined carbohydrates include bread, cereal, cookies, crackers, pasta, and soda.
