Chronic inflammation is a type of low-grade, long-term inflammation. It can last for months or years, and it can cause damage to your body over time. The symptoms of chronic inflammation are often subtle and not always easy to identify. They can include pain, fatigue, weight gain, joint stiffness, gastrointestinal issues such as indigestion and heartburn, skin problems such as acne and psoriasis, anxiety and depression. If you think you might be experiencing chronic inflammation, it’s important to see your doctor so they can perform tests and rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
Body pain, arthralgia, myalgia
Inflammation is a medical condition in which the body’s tissues become red and swollen. The redness and swelling are caused by an increased blood flow to the area, which is often accompanied by warmth. Inflammation may also cause pain, as the inflamed tissues can press on nerves.
Acute inflammation is a normal response of the body to injury or infection and typically lasts for a few days. However, when inflammation persists for weeks or months, it is referred to as chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to a number of serious health problems, such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.
There are many different symptoms of inflammation, depending on the affected body part. Common symptoms include:
Body pain: Inflammation often causes pain in the affected area. The pain may be mild or severe and may worsen with movement. It is sometimes described as a throbbing sensation.
Arthralgia: This term refers to joint pain that occurs as a result of inflammation. Arthralgia can affect any joint in the body but is most common in the knees, hips, and hands. The joints may feel stiff and difficult to move due to the swelling associated with inflammation.
Myalgia: Myalgia is muscle pain that arises from inflamed muscles or tendons (the tissues that connect muscles to bones). It is often worse after exercise or periods of rest and can make it difficult to sleep at night. In some cases, myalgia can be so severe that it interferes with daily activities such as work or school.
Chronic fatigue and insomnia
Chronic fatigue can make it difficult to get through the day, affecting your work, school, and social life. Insomnia can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, which can lead to feeling even more tired during the day. Both chronic fatigue and insomnia can also cause other problems, such as anxiety and depression. If you’re experiencing either of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Gastrointestinal complications like constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux
Constipation is one of the most common symptoms of inflammation. When your digestive system is inflamed, the muscles that move food through your intestines can slow down or even stop working properly. This can lead to hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. Diarrhea is another common symptom of inflammation. When your digestive system is inflamed, the lining of your intestine can become damaged and leaky. This allows bacteria and other toxins to enter your bloodstream, causing watery stools and abdominal cramping. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus – the tube that connects your throat to your stomach – irritating the lining and causing pain. Inflammation plays a role in this condition by weakening the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally keeps stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it’s important to see a doctor so they can rule out any underlying medical conditions and develop a treatment plan to reduce inflammation throughout your body.
Weight gain or weight loss
Regarding inflammation, there are a number of different signs and symptoms that can occur. For some people, they may experience weight gain or weight loss as a result of their high inflammation levels. Others may find that they have more energy and are able to focus better when their inflammation is under control. And still others may notice that their skin looks healthier and they feel less pain overall when their inflammation is at a minimum. No matter what the specific symptom is, though, it’s important to keep in mind that any change in how your body feels or looks could be an indication of an underlying inflammatory condition. If you’re concerned about any new or worsening symptoms you’re experiencing, be sure to talk to your doctor so that you can get the appropriate testing and treatment.
Frequent infections
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from foreign invaders. The first line of defense against infection is the skin, which acts as a barrier to keep harmful bacteria and viruses out. If these invaders do manage to get past the skin, the body’s next line of defense is the immune system.
The immune system is made up of several different types of white blood cells that circulate through the bloodstream looking for foreign invaders. When a white blood cell finds an invader, it releases chemicals that signal other immune cells to come to the aid. This response can sometimes cause inflammation, which is characterized by redness, swelling, and pain.
If you have a frequent infection, it could be due to a weakened immune system.