When does inflammation become worrisome?

It may not feel like it, but when part of your body is hot, swollen, red or painful, it’s often your body’s way of protecting itself through inflammation.

Inflammation stems from injuries, viral or bacterial infections, and irritants. It occurs when immune system cells release hormones that cause blood vessels to dilate. This process allows more of those cells to reach the affected tissue and promote healing.

“Inflammation can be considered chronic or acute,” explains Dr. David Mael, a rheumatologist at Aurora Health Care. “Acute inflammation is temporary whereas chronic inflammation is long term or recurrent.”

Chronic inflammation symptoms include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Depression and anxiety
• Weight gain or loss
• Weakened immune system
• Diarrhea or constipation

However, chronic inflammation isn’t always something you can visually see. For example, you can have an inflamed heart, kidney or lung.

Dr. Mael says chronic inflammation can be caused by your body incorrectly identifying healthy tissues as invaders. This is the case if you have rheumatoid arthritis, for example. Chronic inflammation can also be caused by long-term infections and lifestyle factors.

“Chronic stress, an unhealthy diet, smoking, obesity and unmanaged diseases that cause chronic inflammation can contribute to chronic inflammation symptoms,” says Dr. Mael.

To reduce inflammation, try to limit processed and fried foods in your diet, manage stress, quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight. You should also avoid alcohol, especially if you have chronically inflamed lungs.

If chronic inflammation goes untreated, it can lead to the following chronic health conditions:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic joint pain

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