Normally, inflammation is part of a healthy immune response, an army of cells and chemicals that heal injury and fight infection. When you think of acute inflammation, you think of redness, pain, and swelling. Acute inflammation is easy to spot, and it is essential for healing.

Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is harder to identify. Something triggers your immune system and sets it permanently to “on”, and your body is flooded by damaging chemicals that cause harm to your cells. Chronic inflammation is linked to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, depression, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Chronic inflammation can reveal itself in a variety of ways, but here are some of the most common signs to look for:

1. Extra weight around your middle. Fat cells in the abdomen produce inflammatory chemicals. The bigger your “spare tire” the more of these chemicals they create.

2. High blood glucose levels. High blood sugar increases the numbers of inflammatory cytokines circulating in your blood. It also increases your levels of destructive molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are pro-inflammatory.

3. Digestive problems like gas, diarrhea, bloating, or constipation. These can stem from a sick, inflamed, leaky gut that allows toxins to escape into your bloodstream.

4. Being tired all the time. Inflamed cells are sick cells, and they can’t produce the energy you need to feel refreshed and invigorated.

5. Skin problems (eczema, psoriasis, and rashes), bags under your eyes, puffy face, or swollen gums. These could be external signs of internal fire.

6. Allergies. The immune mediated types as well as sensitivities, all cause inflammation.

9. Depression, anxiety, or suffering from “brain fog."

Unless you turn off the actual cause of inflammation, all you have done is postponed the inevitable and potentially destroyed more of your body in the process, by allowing the inflammation to smolder in a subclinical fashion. Since inflammation is commonly mediated by the gut, it is a logical starting point in the evaluation process.

For more information, contact Wendy at haydenhealth@gmail.com.