Chronic Inflammation: Can It be Cured

Chronic inflammation does more damage to your body than you may realize. The measures taken to repair injuries or other issues are fine in small doses. But long-term, those measures cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue. The result is a worsening condition that is difficult to repair, so diagnosing the cause is crucial.

Though several medical conditions could instigate prolonged inflammation, lifestyle choices often contribute. Stress may also be related, so you may want to consider ways to reduce it. Rehabilitation therapies, including therapeutic recreation activities and emotional support, alter your lifestyle, including physical activity, exercises, and health education, to combat any issues you’re facing.

Cure Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation occurs after an injury, triggering the immune system to release chemicals and white blood cells. These instigate healing by fighting infection, repairing damage, and protecting the injured area.

Chronic inflammation causes the same response, though lingering issues confuse the immune system. Instead of fixing the problem, the body believes it’s under constant attack and tries to fight back. It sends those cells after healthy tissue, causing damage since there is no threat to repair. To avoid such issues, learning what’s causing the inflammation is vital.

Two healthcare professionals in blue scrubs and protective masks working together at a medical station, organizing supplies related to chronic inflammation treatments.

Stress

You may have noticed those with poor diets and habits seem healthier than you. Despite your choices, you may not be factoring in the stress you’re dealing with. Stress is the common denominator in several medical issues, including chronic inflammation.

When stressed, the body releases hormones that prepare the body for fight or flight while suppressing immune responses. This means that short bursts of stress have an anti-inflammatory effect, causing little to no harm.

Chronic stress has the opposite effect. The immune system overreacts, causing a constant influx of hormones to induce inflammation. Instead of repairing damage, healthy tissue is attacked, often resulting in stress-related medical conditions or diseases. Consider therapeutic recreational and activities that are most enjoyable for you. Even simple things like games, arts and crafts, or music programs, could help.

Unhealthy lifestyle

An unhealthy lifestyle is another factor related to chronic inflammation, including sedentary behavior. Working at computers, watching television, or doing non-active hobbies results in several hours of sitting each day. During these prone periods, the body releases pro-inflammatory compounds, causing low-grade inflammation.

Your diet may also contribute since some foods are known to increase inflammation. These include red or processed meat, trans fats, sugary beverages, and white flour. Cooking methods, such as deep frying or grilling, are also part of the problem. Sticking to anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and fish, has the opposite effect.

Lacking proper sleep is another unhealthy lifestyle choice risking chronic inflammation. Sleeping lowers blood pressure and releases cerebrospinal fluid that clears beta-amyloid proteins from the brain. Broken or insufficient sleep prevents these functions, causing blood vessel inflammation and allowing those brain-damaging proteins to accumulate.

Seek medical attention

Though a few routine changes may reduce chronic inflammation, the issue is often a symptom of several medical conditions. These include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, or COPD.

Inflammation could also signal an allergic reaction to something you ate or an environmental factor. Constant exposure to the allergen could slowly worsen the condition over time, becoming life-threatening if not treated. If you’re unsure what’s causing the problem, seek medical attention to avoid severe complications.

Resources:

  1. Harvard Health Publishing, April 1, 2020, Understanding acute and chronic inflammation
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-acute-and-chronic-inflammation
  2. NCBI, June 20, 2017, Inflammation: The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5476783/
  3. Sedentary Behaviour Research Network, Sedentary behaviour is associated with a higher pro-inflammatory status in healthy participants
    https://www.sedentarybehaviour.org/2021/07/29/sedentary-behavior-is-associated-with-a-higher-pro-inflammatory-status-in-healthy-participants/
  4. John Hopkins Medicine, Anti-Inflammatory Diet
    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/anti-inflammatory-diet
  5. Harvard Health Publishing, April 29, 2024, How sleep deprivation can cause inflammation
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/how-sleep-deprivation-can-cause-inflammation#:~:text=Research%20has%20found%20that%20sleep,and%20diabetes)%2C%20and%20others
  6. NCBI, August 7, 2023, Chronic Inflammation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/
This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.