Are you struggling with chronic inflammation? While acute inflammation usually resolves within a few days or weeks, chronic inflammation can last months or even years. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what chronic inflammation is, common symptoms and its potential long-term effects. We’ll also explore how our inflammation and pain management solutions at MAPS can help you achieve chronic pain relief.
Understanding Chronic Inflammation: What It Means for Your Health
Have you ever experienced redness and warmth after getting a cut? Or swelling and bruising after injuring your ankle? Although these symptoms may feel painful, they’re actually signs of proper healing. When your body is exposed to harmful stimuli, your body sends blood and immune cells to the affected area. This response, known as inflammation, helps your body heal and fight off infections.
As mentioned above, inflammation usually goes away once the affected area has healed. Some people, however, experience inflammatory responses that never fade. Known as chronic inflammation, this condition is characterized by a long-term immune response in which the body remains in “attack mode,” even though there’s no infection or injury. Rather than encourage healing, chronic inflammation damages tissues, causes pain and increases the risk of health problems.
How Chronic Inflammation Affects Your Body and Well-Being
When employed correctly, inflammatory responses help your body recover. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, actively harms your body by causing the following problems:
- Persistent pain: If you’ve ever experienced inflammation, such as redness, swelling and bruising, you know that it can be painful. Those with chronic inflammation deal with this pain constantly.
- Musculoskeletal problems: When chronic inflammation attacks certain areas (such as the joints and muscles), you may experience stiffness, muscle aches and reduced mobility.
- Weakened immune system: Prolonged inflammation overworks your immune system, which lowers your defenses and makes you more vulnerable to infections.
- Digestive issues: Inflammation around the bowels (also known as inflammatory bowel disease) can cause digestive issues and prevent proper nutrient absorption.
- Mental health issues: The physical stress of dealing with inflammation can negatively impact mental wellness, leading to depression and anxiety.
In addition to causing pain and weakness, chronic inflammation increases your risk of developing serious medical conditions.
Common Conditions Triggered by Chronic Inflammation
Over time, chronic inflammation may lead to the following health conditions:
- Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system accidentally attacks healthy joint tissues, resulting in pain, stiffness and long-term joint damage.
- Heart disease: Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, which increases heart disease risk.
- Autoimmune diseases: Many autoimmune diseases, including lupus and multiple sclerosis, are linked to chronic inflammation and tissue damage.
- Type 2 diabetes: Inflammatory chemicals can cause insulin resistance, which can develop into type 2 diabetes.
- Cancer: Inflammatory environments can promote abnormal cell growth, increasing the risk of certain cancers (including colon, liver and pancreatic cancer).
- Respiratory diseases: Long-term inflammation in the lungs may contribute to asthma and breathing problems.
To prevent inflammation from escalating, it’s important to address it as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation You Shouldn’t Ignore
The sooner you treat chronic inflammation, the sooner you can protect your body and overcome pain. Of course, before you can treat this condition, you need to recognize the signs. Here are some key symptoms to look out for:
- Persistent fatigue
- Pain, especially in the joints and muscles
- Swelling or redness
- Frequent headaches
- Digestive problems (including bloating, diarrhea and constipation)
- Unexplained weight changes
- Skin irritation
- Brain fog (or difficulty focusing)
If you have symptoms of chronic inflammation, there are immediate steps you can take to reduce pain.
How Lifestyle Changes Can Help Manage Chronic Inflammation
Treating chronic inflammation typically involves lifestyle changes. Here are some helpful habits you can implement into your daily life:
- Maintain a healthy diet: A healthy, balanced diet helps prevent inflammation by supporting your immune system. Aim for a diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.
- Exercise regularly: Did you know that exercise helps boost the body’s immune system? In general, it’s recommended that adults aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.
- Get enough sleep: Proper sleep regulates the immune system and gives your blood vessels a chance to relax. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Depending on the extent of your inflammation, you may need to combine these lifestyle changes with more hands-on treatments.
Explore Inflammation and Pain Management Solutions at MAPS Centers for Pain Control
Are you looking for inflammation treatments? At MAPS, we offer non-surgical, interventional pain management solutions that are personalized to your needs. These include a wide variety of treatment methods, such as nerve blocks, injections and ethical medication management. With our professional guidance, you’ll address the root cause of your pain and achieve the long-term chronic pain relief that you deserve. Schedule your consultation today!