When the topic of inflammation arises, most people associate it with pain and irritation, but this mainly applies to acute, short-term inflammation. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, persisting over a long period, it can lead to various vague symptoms that are difficult to detect and identify.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, helping to eliminate harmful bacteria and clear debris to facilitate healing. This process involves the release of cytokines, small proteins that regulate inflammation. Acute inflammation lasts for a few hours or days, such as the temporary swelling after a paper cut.
When inflammation doesn’t resolve and lingers, it transforms into chronic inflammation. This occurs when healing doesn’t complete fully, leading the body to continuously produce cytokines. Over an extended period, these cytokines can damage organs, potentially resulting in various chronic conditions like cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and more, depending on the affected organs.
Several common factors contribute to chronic, systemic inflammation, including lifestyle and environmental factors such as untreated or chronic infections, physical inactivity, inflammatory diets, exposure to toxic pollutants, poor gut microbiome health, chronic sleep deprivation, prolonged social isolation, and psychological stress.
Identifying chronic inflammation can be challenging, but there are signs to watch out for, as noted by medical experts:
- Constant pain: Persistent muscle, joint, or body pain without a specific cause could indicate chronic inflammation, where inflammatory cells attack tissues and cause discomfort.
- Sleep disturbances: Chronic inflammation may lead to fatigue and exhaustion, affecting sleep patterns. Inconsistent or poor-quality sleep can contribute to higher inflammation levels, exacerbating sleep-related issues.
- Mood changes: Cytokines from chronic inflammation can impact the brain and neurotransmitters associated with mood and emotions. Symptoms like irritability, anxiety, agitation, anger, and depression might indicate ongoing inflammation.
- Frequent illnesses: While chronic inflammation doesn’t directly cause colds, it can compromise the immune system and increase the risk of infections due to disruptions in the immune response and normal cell functions.
- Digestive problems: Chronic inflammation within the gut can weaken the protective lining, leading to GI complications, diarrhoea, constipation, and acid reflux.
If you suspect you are displaying signs of inflammation, it’s crucial to consult a doctor for a proper medical diagnosis. Treating chronic inflammation involves addressing the underlying condition responsible for it.
Additionally, adopting healthy habits can help manage inflammation, such as eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, focusing on fibre-rich foods, limiting processed and high-sugar foods, moderating alcohol consumption, staying physically active, and prioritizing good quality sleep, as it plays a significant role in reducing inflammation, especially brain inflammation.