SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Acute inflammation is the body’s natural healing response.  In acute situations such as injury, inflammation is useful to begin the healing process.  However, chronic, long term inflammation is the catalyst for almost all disease states within the body.

Chronic inflammation exists when the body is inappropriately stimulated to produce inflammation in order to heal.  This stimulation can be initiated through poor diet, high stress levels, inadequate or poor quality sleep, many pharmaceutical medications and environmental toxins.

Signs and Symptoms of chronic inflammation:

1. Pain that lingers.

   Do you have an injury that feels like it is taking too long to heal?   Have you got an injury that you are not even sure how you sustained it?  Do you feel like every day something new hurts?  If any of this sounds familiar you are more than likely living with a body that is chronically inflamed.

2. Skin issues.

   Eczema, Acne and Psoriasis are all related to chronic inflammation.  The source of this chronic inflammation can range from hormonal imbalances to an overactive immune system.

3. Unexplained lethargy.

   Feeling tired for no particular reason or excessively tired is more than likely a symptom of chronic inflammation.  Inflammation negatively impacts the brain, nervous and immune systems.

4. Painful periods.

   All forms of gynaecological disorders involve inflammation.  Endometriosis, PCOS and fibroids all rely on underlying chronic inflammation to exist.

5. Trouble losing weight.

   If you are making consistent, concerted effort to lose weight and still you are getting nowhere, you need to address your chronic inflammation.

6. Digestive issues.

   All significant digestive disorders involve inflammation.  These disorders include Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel syndrome and Inflammatory bowel disease.  Mild, recurring digestive symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach pain, bloating and flatulence are examples of inflammation effecting the Gut.

7. Brain fog, forgetfulness, Anxiety and mild depression.

   Because inflammation impacts the brain negatively, its existence can effect clear cognitive function.

8. Autoimmune conditions.

   Autoimmune conditions such as Lupus, Diabetes, Coeliac, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease are a result of the body’s overactive immune system mistakenly attacking its own tissue.  All autoimmune conditions involve chronic inflammation.

9. High cholesterol.

   Chronic inflammation is now recognised as a major factor in heart disease.  It is caused by high levels of the bad cholesterol LDL in the blood stream promoting the body’s inflammatory response.  This increases the accumulation of cholesterol in the artery wall.

10. Bleeding gums.

    When gums bleed this is a clear sign that the gums are inflamed.  Chronic gum disease may contribute to the development of heart disease.

11. FEELING ‘BLAH’ BUT YOU DON’T KNOW WHY.

    Chronic inflammation puts your body into a state of survival as opposed to thriving.  When you are chronically inflamed you do not feel your best.  Often patients will say they just feel bad and standard medical tests show there is nothing wrong.  Often the cause of this ‘blah’ feeling is chronic inflammation.

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