Chronic inflammation can develop in any of several ways. One possibility is that the threat remains because the body can’t rid itself of the offending substance, be it an infectious organism, an irritant, or a chemical toxin. The immune system is pretty good at eliminating invaders, but sometimes pathogens resist even our best defenses and hide out in tissues, provoking the inflammatory response again and again.
Another possible scenario is that the immune system goes into "threat mode" when no true threat exists. In an autoimmune disorder, the immune system seems to become overly sensitized to the body’s own healthy cells and tissue. It reacts against the joints, intestines, or other organs and tissues as if they were dangerous. As the inflammatory response continues, it damages the body instead of healing it.
Unhealthful lifestyle choices, too, can cause ongoing inflammation. Smoking, being sedentary, or eating a diet high in processed foods and refined carbohydrates can contribute to chronic inflammation. This ongoing inflammation increases the risk of many diseases—including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation
The signs of chronic inflammation are not as obvious as those of acute inflammation. No sharp twinge of pain as when you cut yourself, no swelling or redness will you see to alert you to a problem. Chronic inflammation can be widespread or more localized to specific areas of the body. Some of the symptoms associated with chronic inflammation include:
· fatigue and lack of energy
· depression, anxiety
· muscle aches and joint pain
· constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal complaints
· changes in weight or appetite
· headaches
· a "fuzzy" mental state (brain fog).
Fight Health-Robbing Inflammation with 7 Simple Steps: Science has proven that chronic, low-grade inflammation can turn into a silent killer that contributes to cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other conditions.
The fact that three out of five people around the world die from a disease linked to inflammation raises serious red flags.
The experts at the Harvard Medical School have just published Fighting Inflammation Report that clearly exposes the threat that chronic inflammation poses to your health and well-being and reveals the medical and lifestyle steps you can take to protect yourself.
Step #1: Eat to beat inflammation. Harvard experts warn that many “anti-inflammatory diets” are not grounded in science. In this Special Report, you’ll discover the three best diet choices—plus essential food “do’s and don’ts” to help suppress inflammation levels.
Step #2: Get moving! Fighting Inflammation reveals how much aerobic exercise (surprisingly little!)it takes to lower inflammation levels—and how too much exercise may actually provoke an inflammatory response.
Step #3: Manage your weight. Discover the simple strategies to help you zero in on reducing abdominal fat—the kind that produces pro-inflammatory chemicals. For example, you’ll learn surprising no-pain secrets to help reduce sugar in your diet.
Step #4: Get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep not only robs you of energy and productivity it also elevates inflammation—which is especially hazardous to heart health. Fighting Inflammation reveals 4 simple steps to help you get a healthier and more refreshing night’s sleep!
Step #5: Stop smoking. Kicking the habit can result in a dramatic reduction in inflammation levels within just a few weeks, experts say. Even if you’ve tried to quit before, the steps revealed in this Special Report can help you succeed!
Step #6: Limit alcohol use. When it comes to inflammation, alcohol can be either your friend or foe. Find out in this Special Report why a little alcohol may be helpful and how much is over the line for keeping inflammation in check.
Step #7: Conquer chronic stress. Chronic stress can spark the development of inflammation and cause flare-ups of problems like rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, depression and inflammatory bowel disease. Fighting Inflammation reveals 10 powerful ways to help lower unhealthy stress.
Whether you’re aiming to prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, or other conditions connected to chronic inflammation, the sooner you incorporate these seven steps into your life, the better!
Until Next time: Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay Careful out there
James A Vito, D.M.D.