How to Heal Chronic Inflammation in Your Body Starting Today

Chronic inflammation can be hard to understand and even harder to tackle. 

It’s a common problem that even doctors can overlook. Let’s check out some common causes of chronic inflammation and the steps you can take to support healing.

What is inflammation?

Last week, while gardening, you reached over to grab your spade without paying attention to the wasp that landed right on the handle. 

Before you could brush away the pesty stinging enemy — ouch — you were left with a painful sting and a swollen finger!

That wasp didn’t enjoy being grabbed, either! While the flying pest buzzed off without a scratch, you were left with a swollen or inflamed arm. 

Inflammation is a response to an injury or infection — acting as a natural custom stabilizer while you heal.  

What you experienced when your hand was swelling after being stung is referred to as acute inflammation. It happens as a direct response to an injury or infection. 

But not all inflammatory responses are the same. Sometimes, inflammation occurs without an injury or infection. 

This type of inflammation is chronic, and it can wreak havoc on your body and may lead to a whole host of health problems, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.

What Makes Inflammation Chronic?

When inflammation persists at a high level, and the immune system continues to produce white blood cells and chemical messengers, that’s known as chronic inflammation.

“People think inflammation needs to be stomped out at all times, but it plays an essential role in healing and injury repair to keep your body safe and healthy,” says Dr. Robert H. Shmerling of Harvard Medical, “Some inflammation is good. Too much is often bad. The goal is to recognize when inflammation is simply doing its job, and when it can potentially cause problems.” (Link)

Chronic inflammation is a complex and serious condition that can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Not only can it cause damage to healthy cells and tissues, but ongoing inflammation symptoms like internal scarring and tissue death may also occur.

What makes it so challenging to treat is the fact that there is no single cause. Instead, it occurs when many different factors come together and trigger inflammation. 

Chronic inflammation is a pain management issue that many people face daily.  The symptoms are wide-ranging and often confusing. Many sufferers go through various tests with many specialists to arrive at a diagnosis. 

Chronic inflammation causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Research suggests that chronic inflammation typically occurs in response to:

• Infections
• Viruses
• Bacteria

It’s essential to take control of your inflammation before it causes additional complications.

Chronic Inflammation Symptoms

The symptoms of chronic inflammation can vary depending on the specific condition. They can include:

• Pain, swelling, and redness
• Fatigue or tiredness that doesn’t go away after sleeping
• Fever or chills that don’t go away with rest (sometimes accompanied by pale skin)
• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, groin, or abdomen (your doctor may be able to feel these )

Stress Reduction Helps Prevent Chronic Inflammatory Conditions

When a foreign substance attacks your body, your immune system responds quickly to fight off the invader. When the inflammation has been resolved, your body returns to normal. 

When you’re stressed out, your body releases inflammatory hormones, making it easier for bacteria to enter into cells. Once bacteria enter your body, it multiplies. That’s never a good thing. 

If your stress level remains unchecked, your risk of developing an allergy or autoimmune condition increases dramatically. 

When inflammation persists without resolution, it can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases.

Even simple steps like taking deep breaths when you feel overwhelmed, doing a quick yoga pose, or taking a short walk outside will help your muscles relax and lower cortisol levels. 

More research is needed to know all the causes and treatments of chronic inflammation, but you can take proactive steps to fight back.

Preventing Chronic Inflammation 

Chronic inflammation is treated with various medications, lifestyle changes, and other treatments. 

Your doctor may prescribe medications to keep your condition in check, but there’s plenty you can do to support your body’s fight.

You can try some lifestyle changes, like incorporating more movement into your day-to-day routine. Studies show that incorporating gentle movement reduces inflammation.

Even choosing less inflammatory foods like refined sugars at mealtime can help reduce the amount of inflammation in your body. 

Other options include acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, and so many more. These can be effective at reducing symptoms related to inflammation.

An Ounce of a Prevention 

Chronic inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. It’s a severe condition that, left untreated, can lead to devastating health consequences. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Make sure you’re doing things to help alleviate the inflammation in your body and boost your overall health. 

Small changes can make a big difference.

Because inflammation can cause pressure on your nervous system, reducing inflammation quite often reduces pain too! So if something helps reduce inflammation, it’ll also lessen your pain!! (just like anti-inflammatory essential oils).

Of course, don’t forget to speak with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your health needs before starting any new health regiments.

And remember, Serenity Loves You. All of you. Regardless.