Chronicinflammationsymptoms include classic signs like fatigue, fever, and joint pain.
This can trigger an overreaction that causes the body to attack itself.
Inflammation can be a sign of some very serious health conditions and should not be ignored.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
This article explores 11 chronic inflammation symptoms.
It explains various causes of chronic inflammation and how it can be treated and prevented.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
What Is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Inflammation?
Inflammation comes in two typesacute and chronic.
Acute inflammationoccurs in response to an injury or illness.
It is a normal an necessary part of the immune system response that helps with the healing process.
Acute inflammation is generally short-lived and resolves quickly.
Chronic inflammationis more concerning.
The effects continue without the usual “off” button that exists with acute inflammation.
Over time, chronic inflammation will start to have a negative impact on tissues and organs.
What Causes Chronic Inflammation?
These include:
Low Back Pain
Chronic lower back pain can be a sign of inflammation.
Both can cause pain in the hips and neck.
They will also cause pain and stiffness in the lower back, especially in the morning.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience persistent low back and hip pain.
Early treatment can manage the condition, control pain and stiffness, and reduce the risk of disability.
Inflammatory skin conditions likepsoriasisandpsoriatic arthritisdevelop when the immune system triggers inflammation that attacks skin cells.
Talk to your healthcare provider about any new skin symptoms you experience.
They can determine the source and provide you with treatment options.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
The medical term for swollen lymph nodes islymphadenopathy.
A sore throat or cold can cause lymph nodes to swell up in the neck.
Tell your healthcare provider if your lymph nodes are consistently swollen or painful.
It is possible something more serious is going on.
Mucus is produced by the airways in response to a foreign substance or infection.
It is also normally present to form a protective barrier in the airways.
You will have little energy because your immune system is consistently working to regulate itself.
Talk to your healthcare provider if fatigue and low energy are giving you any amount of concern.
A number of inflammatory diseases can cause digestive symptoms.
These include:
Ongoing digestive issues can affect your quality of life.
If you are consistently experiencing digestive troubles, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
It might help to write down all your symptoms and what triggers them.
Balance Problems
Inflammatory diseases can cause the body to overact act and attack nerve cells.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one such inflammatory disease that affects balance.
This is because MS causes inflammation in parts of the brain responsible for processing balance.
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice changes to your balance or gait (the way you walk).
Persistent high levels of blood sugar can damage nerves and blood cells and lead todiabetes.
Hypercoagulation might lead to astroke,heart attack, orpulmonary embolism.
The cause of a blood clot needs to be found and treated right away.
Eye inflammation is also common in other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis andscleroderma.
Brain Fog
Brain fog is a symptom of many inflammatory conditions.
It affects memory problems, mental clarity, concentration, and focus.
Research shows inflammation might be responsible for the mental sluggishness associated with chronic inflammatory diseases.
Treatment for chronic inflammation can resolve cognitive issues.
Inflammation can also be managed by making healthy diet choices.
Diet changes can improve energy, overall health, and other symptoms resulting from ongoing inflammation.
These include:
Inflammatory conditions related to carrying excess weight can often be managed with weight loss.
Dietary recommendations include following a low-glycemic diet and reducing fat intake.
Exercise
Getting regular exercise is also shown to reduce chronic inflammation apart from weight loss.
Research shows exercise lowers multiple pro-inflammatory molecules and cytokines at play in chronic inflammation.
Medication
Medications used to treat chronic inflammation vary based on the symptoms or underlying causes of inflammation.
Examples include:
Herbal Remedies
Several herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve chronic inflammation.
These include:
Consult your healthcare provider prior to using herbs to treat inflammation.
Medications, dietary supplements, and lifestyle changes can manage chronic inflammation.
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