Do you experience ongoing fatigue, body pain, or frequent infections? Chronic inflammation can be difficult to identify; many people live with its symptoms for months or even years. In this article, we’ll explore what inflammation is, the difference between acute and chronic inflammation, the symptoms, causes and how to manage chronic inflammation.
We are all familiar with inflammation, it’s a natural part of your body’s defence system against things that harm it. An inflammatory response is normally triggered by something that harms tissues. Examples of these harmful stimuli include trauma or injury, toxins, bacteria, heat, etc.
When triggered your body releases chemicals like histamine which starts the inflammatory response, this opens nearby blood vessels increasing blood flow to the area along with more white blood cells. This is done to trap or isolate any harmful infections and start the healing process.
When discussing inflammation there are two main types, acute inflammation and chronic inflammation. Normally inflammation will last for a few days or more after it is triggered (acute inflammation), but in some cases inflammation persists for months or even years (chronic inflammation).
Acute inflammation is what you are most likely to encounter in daily life. It is a fast-acting response by the immune system to a harmful stimulus. Its symptoms are easily identified, and can include flushed/red skin, pain or tenderness, swelling, and/or heat. Acute inflammation usually lasts for a few days to a couple of weeks, until the issue resolves and body heals.
When triggered your body releases chemicals like histamine which starts the inflammatory response, this opens nearby blood vessels increasing blood flow to the area along with more white blood cells. This is done to trap or isolate any harmful infections and start the healing process.
Chronic inflammation can be harder to identify, developing slowly over time. The symptoms may be more subtle or varied depending on the cause, they may include body pain, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain or loss, and persistent infections. Unlike acute inflammation which ‘switches off’ once the problem is resolved, chronic inflammation can persist for months or years.
When triggered your body releases chemicals like histamine which starts the inflammatory response, this opens nearby blood vessels increasing blood flow to the area along with more white blood cells. This is done to trap or isolate any harmful infections and start the healing process.
Chronic inflammation can have a variety of causes, if often develops when the bodies immune system is responding to a trigger or irritant for too long. Some causes could include:
It is also believed that a range of lifestyle factors may also increase your risk of chronic inflammation including:
As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of chronic inflammation may be more subtle and difficult to identify especially when compared to those of acute inflammation. Common symptoms of chronic inflammation may include:
These symptoms may vary in their intensity and can last for months to years.
While acute inflammation helps your body heal, chronic inflammation can harm your health. Having your body constantly in an inflammatory response can eventually lead to healthy cells, tissues and organs being damaged.
Scientists believe chronic inflammation causes oxidative stress in the body, this can damage healthy tissue accelerating biological aging. Diseases that research has linked with chronic inflammation include:
There is not a single test that diagnoses chronic inflammation. Many people aren’t aware they have chronic inflammation until they are diagnosed with another related condition. Doctors usually look at your overall health, symptoms and risk factors, then they may order blood tests to support the diagnosis (e.g., C-reactive protein).
If you are experiencing symptoms of chronic inflammation, speak to a doctor. They will know the steps to take for a diagnosis.
As we have covered, inflammation is a natural part of the bodies healing process, but when it lasts for months or more it can lead to complications or other health issues. There are a variety of ways to reduce inflammation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve pain, swelling, and fever. However long-term use is linked to increased risk of some conditions.
Corticosteroids can be used to decrease inflammation and supress the immune system. Long-term use can be harmful, and your doctor can advise you of their risks and benefits.
Supplements have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, this includes fish oil, curcumin, lipoic acid, ginger, garlic, and turmeric.
Lifestyle changes can include exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, managing stress, reducing alcohol consumption, and stopping smoking
Dietary changes may help reduce inflammation, key foods to eat include fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains. It may be a good idea to speak to a dietician.
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before adding new treatments
Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with chronic inflammation or you want to learn more.
Chronic inflammation can be a long-lasting condition that if unchecked may lead to more serious health conditions. There are lifestyle changes that can be made to fight inflammation.
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