This immediate response to a trigger, known as acute inflammation, is meant to be short-lived. In an acute response, white blood cells act immediately and being the wound healing process and in a short time frame, the wound heals, or the fever breaks and the inflammatory process winds down. In the short term, cortisol (our stress hormone) reduces inflammation in the body. Furthermore, it is used in medications for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases because of this attribute. When there is continually high levels of cortisol in the body. This in turn can increase inflammation in the body and drive immune dysfunction. This can result in neuroinflammation in the brain and central nervous system problems for example.

Chronic inflammation occurs when chemical signals are mixed or organs that reduce inflammation are impaired, and the inflammation continues. Chronic inflammation occurs when your body continues to send out "healing" cells that lead to inflammation even after there’s no imminent danger; this may occur systemically rather than in just one area. That’s when the inflammatory process meant to protect and heal becomes harmful. An overactive “always turned on” immune system can cause damage to tissues and organs

Diseases that stem from chronic inflammation include Arthritis, diabetes, digestive ailments, heart disease, and lung issues. When you notice swelling, or bloating or your body hiding water or redness or pain or loss of function, or numbing in extremities, These are signs of Chronic inflammation and can also manifest as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, skin rashes, headaches, chest pain, fatigue, insomnia, joint pain and stiffness, anxiety, depression and fever.

What causes Chronic inflammation? Not only are there physical causes like dietary choices: Like eating inflammatory foods; sugar, alcohol, refined carbs- pasta/ white rice and bread, fried food, sugary drinks, energy drinks, processed meats. Eating too much sodium also is a trigger for inflammation.

There are also lifestyle choices like being too sedentary which decreases blood flow and oxygen. Cardiovascular exercise increases your heart rate and helps circulation and blood flow. More red blood cells mean more oxygen and iron.

Other Lifestyle habits like Smoking, drinking drugs, vaccines, medications, interactions of some drugs with others can be causes of chronic inflammation.

Impaired glandular function like endocrine or organs like your liver, kidneys heart or gut if not functioning properly chronic inflammation can occur.

Chronic Inflammation can also begin because of long-term emotional responses, stress responses, and negative mental thought loops as they all release chemical messengers that can trigger inflammation in the body. The thoughts you think and emotional inflammation happens when you feel very anxious, worried, checking news focusing on the bad, Its like PTSD in the way that your body responds. Right now it is as if the world is on edge and there is constant bad news, politicians fighting.

There are many ways to help the inflammatory response both acutely and chronic inflammation. In the series below, I will give you ways to test your inflammatory markers, look for the triggers, and healthy alternatives to help combat inflammation, which in turn improves your overall health, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.