Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection. It's the immune system's way of healing and protecting us. When tissues in the body get injured by things like bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or even stress, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response. Special cells called inflammatory mediators are released that make blood vessels leaky so that cells and helpful chemicals can get to the injured area faster. This causes swelling, redness, heat, and pain - all signs of inflammation.
Acute inflammation is the initial response and it normally lasts only a few days. This is good inflammation that helps the body heal. But if inflammation goes on too long, too much, or for no reason at all, it can cause damage. Chronic inflammation lasts for several weeks or longer and can cause many health problems. Diseases linked to chronic inflammation include cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis, and heart disease.
So what causes chronic inflammation? Things like:
Luckily, making healthy lifestyle changes can really help reduce inflammation. Getting regular exercise, eating anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and omega-3s, managing stress, and taking targeted anti-inflammatory supplements when needed, can all protect your body from chronic inflammation.