What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is when the body attempts to protect or heal itself. It is the body’s defense mechanism in which the body’s immune system recognizes “strange organisms” (harmful stimuli, pathogens, and weak or damaged cells). It begins to respond to remove them.
Inflammation can either be acute or chronic.
Inflammation can either be acute or chronic.
Signs of Acute Inflammation-It is an active and rapid response of the body tissue to an injury. It is usually short-termed because it lasts between a few minutes to some hours.
The following effects can characterize Acute inflammation
• Pains
• Immobility
• Heat
• Swelling
• Redness
Diseases like acute bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, cut on the skin, and tonsillitis can result in acute inflammation.
Signs of Chronic inflammation -Being chronically inflamed is usually slow and long-termed with mild or severe effects lasting for a few months to years. It is a real problem because instead of the body to attack foreign materials, it begins to attack itself.
Chronic inflammation can be caused by
• Exposure to irritants or foreign materials either in the environment (lousy air) or at the place of work.
• Autoimmune disorder.
• Failure to eliminate any agent causing acute inflammation. These agents can be infectious organisms like fungi, protozoa, or any member of the genus mycobacterium that causes diseases.
• An altered gut flora (This can be a result of high-stress levels, too little sleep, smoking, excessive intake of antibiotics and alcohol, and consuming processed and high sugar foods).
Some common symptoms associated with chronic inflammation are;
• Joint pain
• Brain fog
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache, Chest and Abdominal pain
• Mouth sores
• Rashes
• Depression
• Anxiety
When the body continues to attack itself -over time, this can lead to tissue damage or death. Internal scarring or DNA damage can result in the development of severe diseases like Alzheimer’s, Cancer, type 2 diabetes.
Obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, peptic ulcer, tuberculosis, periodontitis, asthma, and hepatitis have also aligned with an inflammation bi-product.
Five ways to manage inflammation
Inflammation occurs as a result of your lifestyle choices. However, it is not too late to learn several ways to manage inflammation.
• Diet
Foods, fruits, and vegetables such as Soybeans, walnuts, tuna, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and also help protect against inflammation.
Also, adding herbs and spices like ginger, rosemary, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and sage in your diet can help manage inflammation. Other foods with anti-inflammatory effects include tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, leafy greens and nuts (walnut, almond).
• Exercise
Exercise shouldn’t be an option for anyone who wants to live a healthy life. Research has shown that people who are overweight are prone to experience inflammation. Therefore, exercising daily to lose and maintain a healthy weight can help reduce and prevent inflammation.
• Manage stress
Lack of proper rest and sleep is a significant cause of stress. Therefore, an afternoon nap and adequate night sleep is also an excellent way to manage inflammation.
• Reduce alcohol intake
Taking a break from alcohol isn’t a bad idea. Substitute a glass of whiskey for a cup of green tea. Green tea contains antioxidants that help subdue inflammation.
• Control antibiotics consumption.
Excessive consumption of antibiotics can alter gut flora this leading to the inflatable. It is, therefore, advisable to only consume medicines prescribed by a physician.