Inflammation is one of the body’s natural ways of protecting itself. When something goes wrong—such as an injury or infection—your immune system creates inflammation to help remove the problem and begin the healing process. There are two main types of inflammation: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation.
Acute inflammation happens quickly when your body is injured or exposed to something harmful. Think about spraining your ankle, getting a bee sting, or cutting your finger. You may notice redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. Although these symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are part of your body’s healing process.
Acute inflammation helps your body by bringing immune cells to the area to fight bacteria and other harmful organisms. It removes damaged cells and cellular debris and protects the injured area from further damage. It’s part of the process of repairing damaged tissue.
Acute inflammation usually comes on suddenly and lasts for a relatively short time—typically days or weeks. Once the injury or infection is under control, the inflammation settles down.
Chronic Inflammation is what happens when the fire doesn’t go out. Instead of turning on briefly and then shutting off, the immune system stays activated for a long period of time.
When this happens, inflammation can begin damaging healthy tissues instead of simply protecting them. Long-term inflammation has been associated with many chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
Many things can contribute to chronic inflammation, including smoking, excessive alcohol, ongoing stress, poor sleep, and exposure to certain environmental pollutants. A diet high in highly processed foods and added sugars is a huge contributor to chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation isn’t always obvious. It can develop gradually, and some people may simply feel like they are “not quite themselves.” You may feel tired for no obvious reason, have achy or painful joints, or experience brain fog. You may also experience digestive problems or increased food sensitivities.
Chronic inflammation is also closely associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis. In these conditions, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues, with chronic inflammation being an underlying factor.
You can test for inflammation with blood tests. Two commonly used tests are C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). These tests don’t tell you why inflammation is occurring, but they can help you determine whether further evaluation is needed.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to suppress inflammation. Inflammation is not the enemy—it is part of your body’s natural defense and healing system. We want to know why the body is inflamed and address the root causes. With a comprehensive exam, we can help you identify what’s causing your inflammation and create an easy, clear plan to address the problem and improve your health.
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Podcast Episode 28: Tackling Inflammation
