Yahoo Lifestyle The Sneaky Sign of Inflammation You Should NEVER Ignore
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Most of us are familiar with the signs of acute inflammation. If you’ve ever had a swollen, sprained ankle or a fever from the flu, you’ve experienced it firsthand. (Flushed skin and pain are other signs of acute inflammation, according to Cleveland Clinic.) However, that’s not the only type of inflammation that exists, and the human body can react to inflammation in different ways. Below are eight sneaky signs that you may be experiencing chronic inflammation and should consider a visit with your doctor for an evaluation.
What is inflammation?
First, it’s important to understand that inflammation isn’t always bad. “Inflammation is one of the body’s key mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis, acting as a natural response to injury, infection, allergens or irritation,” says Priya Jaisinghani, M.D., clinical assistant professor in the Holman Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at NYU Langone Health. “It can present in various forms — acute or chronic, local or systemic. While inflammatory responses can serve to protect and restore balance, chronic inflammation is often linked to disease processes such as diabetes, obesity and autoimmune conditions.”
Unexpected signs of inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s way of kicking into overdrive to solve a problem, like an infection or injury. But your body parts aren’t designed to withstand that surge of energy for long periods of time. “When systemic and chronic inflammation accompanies these underlying diseases, it can affect multiple organ systems, manifesting as fatigue, muscle weakness, digestive disturbances, joint pain, skin conditions, and other symptoms,” says Dr. Jaisinghani. Here are some symptoms everyone should be aware of:
Rashes
You may not think of your skin as an organ, but it is — and it can be affected by inflammation just like any other organ. Discoloration (especially redness), itchiness, plaques, flakes, bumps, scabs, blisters and patches of dryness are all signs of skin inflammation. Psoriasis, eczema, hidradenitis suppurativa and scleroderma are just a few of the skin conditions that are fueled by underlying inflammation, research shows.
Fatigue
We all experience fatigue from time to time. For instance, maybe during a really stressful period you suffered from insomnia, or perhaps you have a baby who’s keeping you up during the night. However, if you’re tired all the time and can’t figure out why, research says low-grade chronic inflammation could be sapping your energy.
Balance problems
It’s true: Studies have found that people who fall more frequently tend to have higher levels of certain inflammatory markers in their blood. Researchers are still trying to figure out why this is, but it makes sense when you consider how many different body parts are involved in maintaining one’s balance — such as muscles, bones, the brain and the inner ear. If one of those pieces is a little off kilter, so might your balance be.
Muscle weakness
There are several ways that inflammation can make your muscles lose their strength. Research has shown that the presence of certain inflammatory blood markers is associated with muscle breakdown and/or problems with how muscles use energy. However, scientists aren’t entirely sure what the exact cause is, especially because it seems that some groups of people, such as those with heart disease, may have their muscles weakened by inflammation through other ways.
Cognitive issues
It probably comes as no surprise that an excess of inflammation isn’t good for your brain. In fact, it can damage neurons, which contributes to “the development of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and vascular dementia, as well as a general decline in cognitive function,” according to a review of the research on this topic. If you’re having trouble remembering, concentrating or evaluating problems, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by your doctor.
Dry eyes
You might blame dry eyes on mundane things like the weather, but in reality inflammation may be the culprit. Specifically, it could be inflammation in the cornea or certain glands, membranes or substances that make up tears. Inflammation in these spots can cause cells to die or damage tissues or nerves, research shows. The bottom line is, dry eyes are more than just annoying. Left untreated, the condition can put you at risk for eye infections and damage the surface of your eye, according to Mayo Clinic so it’s important to see an eye doctor if you’re experiencing dry, itchy, red, burning or watery eyes; blurred vision; or sensitivity to light.
Back pain
When your back aches and there’s no obvious cause (like lifting heavy boxes or falling), inflammation could be the root cause. Inflammatory back pain tends to come on gradually and improve with exercise, research has found. It’s thought that inflammation may alter the tissue in certain areas of the back and lead to pain.
Diarrhea
Yes, inflammation can wreak havoc on just about any body part, including your bowel. In addition to diarrhea, someone with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have abdominal pain, vomiting, rectal bleeding and/or weight loss, according to research. Essentially, it depends on which area of a person’s intestines are inflamed. The road to recovery can be difficult, but there are ways to reduce gut inflammation on top of any medical treatments your physician may suggest.
The bottom line
The good news is some causes of chronic inflammation can be treated, but you need to be seen by a physician to pinpoint what’s really going on. You know your body better than anyone else, so pay attention to any symptoms like the ones above, even if you feel fine. “If you’re concerned, it’s important to document each symptom, noting onset, frequency, duration, and any patterns or triggers,” says Dr. Jaisinghani. “Be sure to speak to your doctor about these symptoms along with any recent lifestyle changes or relevant family medical history, to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation and assessment.”
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