Inflammation is a necessary aspect of the human body, but chronic inflammation can be harmful. Inflammation is the body’s reaction to something being wrong. It’s a necessary mechanism that tells the immune system that an injury has occurred so it can fight off infection or mend wounds. When you’re suffering from influenza and have a fever, you’re experiencing inflammation. Emesis (vomiting) caused by ingesting bad food? Inflammation, too. Swelling following an ankle twist? You guessed it: inflammation is also present there. We require just enough inflammation. We would die if we didn’t have inflammation. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is another story. Chronic inflammation can harm healthy cells and tissues. It may cause diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or heart disease in the long run. Experts believe that these are four of the most common causes of irritation.
1 — Alcohol
Alcohol may increase your risk of inflammation if you drink too much. “Too often do I see my patients doing everything’ right,’ but continuing to drink alcohol,” said Dr. Will Cole, who adds that while it may appear harmless to have a few drinks with some friends on the weekend, doing so on a regular basis can lead to chronic inflammation and digestive issues such as leaky gut syndrome. “In many situations, alcohol is the missing connection between lifestyle and long-term health problems in otherwise healthy people.”
2 — Stress
There is a lot of evidence linking stress to inflammation. “When immune system cells are unable to respond to hormonal control during stress, they generate amounts of inflammation that promote disease,” says Sheldon Cohen, Robert E. “Because inflammation is linked to many illnesses such as heart disease, asthma and autoimmune diseases, this theory explains why stress affects them as well. Knowing this is critical for determining which diseases can be affected by stress and for preventing disease in people who are chronically stressed.”
3 — No Exercise
According to doctors, a lack of exercise is strongly associated with chronic inflammation. “When you don’t eat well, don’t get enough activity, or have too much stress, the body responds by igniting inflammation,” explains Varinthrej Pitis, MD. “Chronic inflammation has potential long-term dangers. As a result, how you eat and sleep, as well as how much you exercise are all really important when it comes to lowering inflammation.”
4 — Poor Diet
The typical American diet is pro-inflammatory because it’s heavy in ultra-processed foods and red meat, and light on fruits and vegetables, according to Dr. McDonald. “All processed meals have the potential to cause inflammation,” she adds. ” A simple way to tell if something is ultra-processed is to read the ingredients and try to pronounce what’s inside. The foods you can’t pronounce may cause inflammation. Fried foods, which are saturated with omega-6 fatty acids and oil, may be pro-inflammatory as well. Because of their influence on insulin, sugar and soda might cause inflammation.”