Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from harm, but it typically gets a bad reputation. Although inflammation can be a shield, it can harm our health as well. When inflammation lasts for months or even years, it becomes chronic inflammation and that is the type you want to avoid.
Inflammation is often seen as a symptom in many illnesses including arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and many coronary conditions like heart disease. Chronic inflammation results when the body is unable to remove whatever is threatening it. Inflammation can also be a sign of an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, where the body wrongfully attacks itself causing inflammation as a means to protect it. Lastly, chronic inflammation can result from a persistent irritant of low intensity.
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There are four signs to pay attention to when it comes to deciding if you have chronic inflammation or not.
4 signs which reveal chronic inflammation
Joint pain
Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of inflammation which targets the joints. It is a type of autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack itself in error, resulting in inflammation. This inflammation can result in pain, stiffness and swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of chronic inflammation because there is no cure. Management techniques created with the aid of your doctor can better help you live a functional life, while still maintaining mobility.
Depression
Research has shown that although not always a cause, inflammation can play a role in the onset of depression. In studies which observed heart patients with depression, markers of inflammation were higher compared to heart patients without depression.
Earlier this year another study came to light revealing clinical depression in association with a 30 percent increase of inflammation in the brain. The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry and it involved researchers examining brain scans of 20 depressed patients and 20 control patients. The brain scans revealed higher amounts of inflammation in those who were depressed.
If you suffer from depression, odds are you have higher levels of inflammation as well.
Stomach pain
There are endless causes for stomach pain, inflammation included. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has inflammation right in its name because inflammation is a sure-fire sign of a problem in the digestive tract.
Symptoms of IBD include constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and a somewhat constant stomachache. Irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease are also considered to be caused by inflammation.
If you have been experiencing an upset stomach for quite some time, you may want to take a closer look to uncover if inflammation is the root cause.
Chronic fatigue
We all feel tired, but usually after a restful night’s sleep or some relaxation, we can have that get-up-and-go feeling once again. If you have chronic inflammation you may feel more tired than energized – no matter how much sleep you get.
Inflammation can affect the nervous system, resulting in fatigue. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that fatigue is a symptom associated with arthritis, revealing that where there is inflammation, energy can become zapped.
If eight, 10 or even 12 hours of sleep doesn’t seem like enough, you may have inflammation to blame.
Foods to combat inflammation
Inflammation can impede your health, so in order to reduce it try enjoying foods which work to minimize inflammation. Here are some of the most helpful foods you should enjoy to reduce inflammation and stay healthy.
- Fatty fish
- Whole grains
- Dark leafy greens
- Nuts
- Soy (speak with your doctor before you begin consuming more soy)
- Low-fat dairy
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Beets
- Ginger and turmeric
- Garlic and onions
- Olive oil
- Berries
- Tart cherries
These are just some of the foods you can start enjoying today in order to combat your inflammation and start feeling better.
Related Reading:
Your tiredness could be hypersomnia
Hypersomnia can affect your day-to-day life and prevent you from enjoying the things you once loved. How can you take your grandchildren out to the park when all you really want to do is nap? How can you enjoy a movie when during the opening title your eyes are beginning to close? Continue reading…
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How inflammation affects your health
Generally speaking inflammation is necessary to protect the body. It’s the body’s response to infection and aids in healing. But inflammation can raise some potential health risks as well. Here is a list of potential health risks inflammation can lead to. Continue reading…
Sources:
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/thumbnails/0,,20705881,00.html
http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/fatigue/fatigue-and-arthritis-pain.php
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/288715.php
http://www.prevention.com/health/signs-chronic-inflammation
http://www.healthline.com/symptom/joint-swelling
