Do you frequently get infections, feel exhausted, or have inexplicable physical pain? All of these might indicate inflammation. Young adults have been reporting these health issues, along with others like anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal issues, and skin rashes that are connected to inflammation in the body. 

 

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is the body's natural defence system against damage, illness, or toxins. It aids in healing and protection if a body faces any issue. However, long-term immune responses and chronic inflammation can be detrimental and can cause serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and arthritis. While illnesses and infections can cause inflammation, daily routines can also contribute significantly to the body's ongoing inflammatory condition. Poor lifestyle choices that cause inflammation lead to long-term health problems.

Inflammation types:

Inflammation is of two types: Acute and chronic inflammation.

 

• Acute inflammation: Inflammation is the defence mechanism of the body. When there is an injury or a bacterial infection, your body produces cells to fight it and to repair itself, which leads to inflammation in that area. This type of body’s temporary response to any issue is called Acute inflammation. It leads to redness, heat, swelling, soreness, or a feeling of numbness.
  
• Chronic inflammation: This inflammation is chronic despite being low grade. It may continue for several months or even years. High blood pressure, heart disease, several types of cancer, and other underlying medical conditions are frequently associated with this kind of inflammation.

 

Symptoms of inflammation:

Different symptoms will occur depending on whether the inflammatory response is acute or chronic. 

Acute inflammation frequently results from damage to the skin or the external body. Acute inflammation usually has the following symptoms and indications on the skin:

 

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Heat (the affected area may feel hot to touch)

 

If the acute inflammation is inside the body, such as in internal organs, then only a few of these symptoms could be apparent. For instance, the lungs may not have sensory nerve endings close by; thus, even if there is inflammation in the lungs, there may not be any discomfort.

 

Symptoms of chronic inflammation are:

• Fatigue
• Mouth sores
• Chest pain 
• Joint pain
• Fever 
• Rash and abdominal pain

 

Chronic inflammation can also affect any organ. The symptoms of inflamed organs are:

• Swelling and loss of function of blood vessels
• Enlargement or loss of function of the kidney
• Swelling and loss of function of the muscle

What causes inflammation?

Since inflammation is your body's reaction to potentially harmful stimuli, it can be brought on by infections, wounds, or poisons like chemicals or pollution. Stress, poor diet, and inactivity can also contribute to inflammation. Why? If you keep an unhealthy lifestyle, you may get sick often, or your body may be exhausted with all the toxins. When your cells are damaged, your body releases substances that cause your immune system to react in an attempt to repair the harm.

 

Why is chronic inflammation a concern?

If inflammation starts at a young age, it can be a silent disruptor. It can bring body aches, unexplained fatigue, skin rashes, digestive issues, or even affect your everyday mood. In some extreme cases, it may also lead to anxiety and depression. 

 

If this inflammation persists, it can lead to various serious health issues like arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart issues, and digestive conditions like ulcers and Crohn’s disease. 

These disorders are becoming more prevalent among those under 50. More evidence-based study is needed to fully explain why; however, experts believe that diet and physical activity may be important factors. 

 

Everyday habits that are causing inflammation:

1. Eating too much of processed food:

Highly processed foods such as fast food, sugary snacks, and refined carbs raise blood sugar levels and set off inflammatory reactions. Excess sugar causes insulin resistance and raises cytokines, which are inflammatory proteins.

2. Too many omega-6 and not enough omega-3:

Overconsumption of omega-6 fatty acids, which are included in vegetable oils, fried meals, and processed snacks, can increase inflammation. To counter this, we should consume foods that are rich in omega-3. Walnuts, flaxseeds, and salmon all contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory qualities.

3. Stress and anxiety:

Long-term stress raises cortisol production; if it remains high, it can cause inflammation all over the body. Conditions including heart disease, depression, and compromised immunity have all been connected to long-term stress.

4. Lack of exercise:

A lack of exercise can raise inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), which can lead to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and insulin resistance.

5. Limited sleep: 

Sleep deprivation or irregular sleeping patterns can cause hormonal imbalance and inflammation. When you sleep less, your immune system is weakened, and inflammatory indicators are elevated.

6. Smoking and pollution exposure:

Chemicals in home goods, cigarette smoke, and air pollution can all introduce pollutants that cause inflammatory reactions, which can result in lung illness and cardiovascular problems.

7. Dehydration:

Drinking less water than recommended makes the body store toxins. This can lead to increased inflammation. Keeping your body hydrated helps the body to clean out toxins and improve blood circulation.

 

Health conditions linked to chronic inflammation and their effect on our daily lives:

How do the uncomfortable early symptoms of chronic inflammation change with time? Here's a deeper look at the unmanaged consequences of inflammation.

1. Heart disease: Inflammation weakens blood arteries over time, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, and plaque accumulation. For instance, long-term inflammation causes arterial plaque to build, which in turn causes atherosclerosis, or the thickening of arteries. In day-to-day life, this can cause a lack of energy, heavy breathing during light physical activities, and overall make a person more lethargic. 
   
   
2. Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance: A board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, Dr. Jolene Brighten, D.N.M., says inflammation is a major factor in insulin resistance, which is a defining feature of type 2 diabetes. Chronic inflammation disrupts Insulin signalling, which makes it more difficult for cells to absorb glucose (sugar). According to her, a vicious cycle is created when elevated blood sugar levels further cause inflammation.
   
   
3. Weight gain:  Inflammation can raise the risk for problems like weight gain and obesity.  Due to inflammation, chemicals such as cytokines are released that cause insulin resistance, fat accumulation, and impaired metabolism.
   
   
4.  Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune conditions are directly linked to inflammation. When the immune system unintentionally targets healthy tissues, it can result in autoimmune diseases. This can cause organ damage and persistent pain. Inflammation-driven illnesses can result in a variety of digestive issues, fatigue, and excruciating joint pain. 
   
   
5. Cognitive diseases: According to recent research, inflammation may raise the chance of neurodegeneration—the death and destruction of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain and spinal cord. According to research, high inflammation levels have been associated with not just cognitive decline but also depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. That is why many experts advocate adopting efforts like eating healthy and exercising to lower inflammation and enhance mental and cognitive well-being.
   
   
6. Digestive issues: An unbalanced gut microbiota, which is frequently brought on by processed foods, excessive drug usage, endocrine disruptors, and long-term stress, can worsen inflammation in the gut. This results in bloating, pain, and poor absorption of nutrients. Additionally, diseases like insulin resistance, arthritis, and others can develop due to a loop of inflammation caused by poor gut health.
   
   
7. Premature aging: Inflammation accelerates aging on the inside as well as the outward. It can result in breakouts, heightened sensitivity, and long-term skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema.

 

Conclusion:

Chronic inflammation may seriously impair your health and well-being, and its effects only worsen with time. If this internal imbalance is not addressed, it might lead to many health issues. Fortunately, there are a lot of lifestyle choices that may help maintain inflammation in check so you can continue to feel and look your best for years to come.