Bottom Line:

 

Chronic inflammation is one of the most significant health issues many of us will face today. It's been linked to everything from chronic pain to a wide range of other mild and serious medical conditions. Inflammation can also come from a variety of mechanisms as well. This can make the process of decreasing inflammation within the body rather tricky.  

 

It's important not to mistake acute inflammation for chronic inflammation. 

 

Acute inflammation describes your body's natural defense mechanism against injuries or toxins. This can be seen in a sprained ankle, where the body uses inflammation to induce the healing mechanism for the damaged tissue in the ankle. It also lets you know that area is injured, usually by eliciting pain, so you don’t continue to damage the tissue. 

 

When your immune system is constantly stressed, it can then lead to chronic inflammation which in turn can lead to other conditions. Chronic inflammation can cause the body to release certain hormones, as a response the immune system is suppressed, or unable to function at full capacity. 

 

Throughout the day we can think of stress being physical, chemical, and emotion. All forms of stress may be effected different systems within the body, but overall still affecting the body as whole. Overall stress is a sum of those 3. In the right doses, the body can properly adapt to the stresses placed on it resulting in a stronger, more resilient system. Overload the system, especially for long periods of time, and we’re asking for problems. 

 

Types of Stress: 

 

Good! 

• Physical: Exercising for 45 minutes after a good night’s sleep and healthy breakfast. 

• Emotional: Completing a work tasks that you’ve been working on for 2 days, but it has not controlled your life.

• Chemical: Playing pick-up basketball that releases chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline that allows you to feel accomplished and confident. 

 

Bad! 

• Physical: Maxing out on squat after getting 3 hours of sleep because you were up partying. 

• Emotional: Working 80 hours a week, 7 days a week, for 4 weeks to get caught up. 

• Chemical: Being chronically stressed out and eating unhealthy, causing the hormone Cortisol to be released. 

 

Overall, an overload of stress to the body over long periods of time can lead to a release of certain hormones resulting chronic health conditions. 

Why it Matters:

 In 2014, it was estimated that over 50% of people had at least one chronic condition, and 40% had more than one. Chronic inflammatory disease decreases your performance in everyday activities and makes some unmanageable. 

Chronic inflammatory diseases can include respiratory and heart disorders as well as diabetes. Inflammatory disease certainly aren’t limited to those either. They can include, asthma, liver disease, bowel diseases, and even endometriosis. 

The majority of these disorders are linked directly to our lifestyle choices. Each day you have the option to either increase or decrease your state of inflammation.

Here are a few ways to start eliminating inflammation from your life:

 

·   Eat right. Fruits and vegetables are high in natural antioxidants and may protect the body against inflammation.

·   Get enough rest. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can reduce your physical and emotional stress levels, which has been linked to a lower risk of chronic inflammation. 

·   Stay active. Exercise can lower the amount of pro-inflammatory chemicals in your body and benefit your cardiovascular and mental health.

·  See your Chiropractor. Being adjusted, releasing muscular tension, and doing low level exercises can decrease the amount of stress held in the body. 

Next Steps: 

Reducing your risk of chronic disease and inflammation begins with the choices you make each and every day, and we're here to help you make the best decisions to help you live a full, active, and healthy life. 

If you believe you're not eating, sleeping, or moving as well as you would like, be sure you have an appointment scheduled with us. Together, we’ll analyze your habits and create a plan to get you and your well-being back on track!

Dalton Sealey DC, CSCS

ProMove Chiropractic & Performance

402.915.4901

drsealey@promovechiropractic.com

Science Source(s): 

Chronic Inflammation. StatPearls. 2021.