What causes chronic inflammation, and why it matters

Your immune system is your body’s defense team. It protects you from germs (bacteria, viruses and fungi), toxins and cancer. It does this by sending out white blood cells and proteins that attack harmful invaders, and this process is called inflammation.

If your immune system is continually in attack mode, it can result in chronic inflammation, which can damage normal, healthy cells and tissue.

What causes chronic inflammation?

Diseases can cause chronic inflammation, putting your immune system persistently in attack mode. Some examples of these conditions include diabetes, prolonged infections or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Genetics can play a role in whether you develop a condition that can cause chronic inflammation, but so do your habits. What you eat, how much you move and whether you smoke or have a healthy weight can all make a difference.

How does chronic inflammation affect your health?

We’re continuing to learn more about the effects of chronic inflammation and the development and progression of diseases. Increased inflammation has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, hardening of the arteries, heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, depression, osteoporosis and strokes.

Chronic inflammation symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Low energy levels
• Frequent infections
• Swollen and painful joints

Can I have inflammation without knowing it?

If you have significant inflammation in your body, usually there’s some sign: rashes, redness or swelling of the joints, unexplained weight loss or fever. But long-term, mild inflammation is possible without many symptoms or non-specific symptoms.

Chronic inflammation can make you feel tired for no apparent reason. You could have unexplained joint pain, a foggy-feeling brain, digestive problems or food sensitivities. Some people may experience the symptoms so gradually and consistently over time that they have a hard time recognizing them.

Can chronic inflammation be cured?

Inflammation is important to a healthy, functioning immune system, so it can’t be turned off completely. There are ways, though, to help calm your immune system if it’s gone into overdrive. The key to treatment is to identify what’s causing your immune system to be overactive.

How do you treat chronic inflammation?

Treating chronic inflammation depends on what’s causing your immune system to go into overdrive. For example, if it’s a toxin, such as tobacco smoke or alcohol, that’s causing the inflammation, removing this toxin or at least minimizing the exposure can help.

If it’s a chronic infection, such as hepatitis C or cancer, causing the inflammation, it’s important to treat the underlying problem. If the inflammation is caused by an autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, medications to lower the immune system may be needed.

Beyond treating the condition causing your inflammation, lifestyle choices such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep and stress management can help calm your immune system and reduce chronic inflammation.

Does drinking lots of water help with inflammation?

Yes. Drinking plenty of water helps your body get rid of waste and toxins. Avoid sugary drinks, such as soda, as these can make inflammation worse.

Is there a test for chronic inflammation?

There are blood tests to look for signs of inflammation. The most common tests are the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and c-reactive protein (CRP). Your doctor may order these tests when they’re concerned about inflammation. But they should be interpreted carefully, as these tests can’t tell exactly what’s causing the inflammation.

Also, elevated inflammatory markers don’t always indicate the presence of a disease. Levels can be affected by age, weight, sex, exposures (such as to tobacco smoke) and low blood counts —when your body has a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

What foods reduce inflammation in the body?

Eating a well-balanced diet high in lean meats, whole foods, fruits and vegetables can help you lower inflammation. You may read or hear about anti-inflammatory diets. Some of these diets can be confusing and difficult to follow. It may be easier to focus on prioritizing lean meats (such as chicken or fish) instead of processed meats, fruits over sugary foods (such as cookies and candy), and whole grains over refined carbohydrates (such as white bread or potato chips). Making choices and developing habits you can continue in the long run are what’s most important.