Chronic inflammation can last for months and years. There might be phases when it can get better and there may be times when it can aggravate.  

 

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Lifestyle

Hidden Inflammation: 4 Silent Signs You Should Not Ignore

Chronic and low-level inflammation can lead to diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, mental health disorder, and autoimmune disease.

Renu Baliyan

First most important sign to see is look at your skin if you have high pigmentation, if you have psoriasis, or eczema, this could indicate a high inflammation because of a gut dysbiosis.

Inflammation is not generally linked with pain and may remain silent for years. Chronic and low-level inflammation can lead to several diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, mental health disorders, and autoimmune disease, among others. Higher the inflammation in the body, stronger will be the chances of developing such diseases. Inflammation can become damaging in the longer run.

There are times when a person may face symptoms like fatigue and pain as a result of inflammation. However, there will be no symptoms unless and until the disease occurs. There are two types of inflammation namely acute and chronic.

Difference between acute inflammation and chronic inflammation

Acute Inflammation: When your immune system responds to a sudden injury or illness. Inflammatory cells visit the injury site (cut or bruise) or infection and begin the curing process. Infections in different parts of the body can cause sudden or short-lived inflammation. For instance, bacterial infection such as strep throat and viral infection such as flu can lead to throat inflammation.

Acute inflammation may remain for some hours or days depending on your situation, according to a report featured in Cleveland Clinic. 1 

Chronic Inflammation: This takes place when the body keep sending inflammatory cells even when there is no threat. For instance, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory cells and substance hit joint tissues. It can cause inflammation that may come and go and lead to severe damage to joints. 

In chronic inflammation, procedures that ideally protect the body may end up harming it. Chronic inflammation can last for months and years. There might be phases when it can get better and there may be times when it can aggravate.  

Symptoms of Acute Inflammation

  • Discoloured Skin

  • Swelling

  • Skin Feeling Warmer Upon Touch

  • Pain or Tenderness

 Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation

  • Chest Pain

  • Joint Pain  

  • Mouth Sores

  • Skin Rash

  • Depression, Mood Disorder, And Anxiety

  • Regular Infections

  • Abdominal Pain

4 Silent Signs of Inflammation

Recently, leading nutritionist Deepsikha Jain took to her Instagram account and shared four signs of silent inflammation that you should never ignore. Sharing the post she said, “There are four silent signs that you may have high inflammation in the body.” 2 Below they are:

1. Skin Appearance: The nutritionist said, “First most important sign to see is look at your skin if you have high pigmentation, if you have psoriasis, or eczema, this could indicate a high inflammation because of a gut dysbiosis.”

2. Chronic Constipation, Bloating, Acid Reflux: The second silent sign of inflammation is going to be chronic constipation, bloating, acid reflux, cramsies, digestive issues can also be a sign of high inflammation again because of a imbalance gut and poor gut microbiome, said the nutritionist.

3. Aches In Joints: Deepshika said, “Third is going to be if you have aches and pains especially in the joints, all the body feels warmer from certain parts could also indicate high inflammation in the body.”

4. Diagnosed With Anything That Ends With “its”: The fourth silent sign of inflammation is if you have been diagnosed with anything that ends with “its” like ulcerative colitis, arthritis, pancreatitis, these things can indicate a high inflammation and these are inflammatory markers.

So do not neglect these signs of inflammation, she concluded the post.

FAQs

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation is a short-term immune response to sudden injury or infection, lasting hours to days, such as swelling or pain from a cut or infection like strep throat. Chronic inflammation persists for months or years, occurring when the body continuously sends inflammatory cells even without a threat, potentially causing tissue damage as seen in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

How can silent inflammation affect my health over time?

Silent or low-level chronic inflammation can remain undetected for years but increases the risk of serious diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, mental health disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Despite little or no symptoms initially, persistent inflammation can gradually damage tissues and organs.

What are the four silent signs of inflammation mentioned by nutritionist Deepsikha Jain?

According to Deepsikha Jain, the four silent signs of high inflammation include: 1) Skin issues such as pigmentation, psoriasis, or eczema indicating gut dysbiosis; 2) Chronic digestive problems like constipation, bloating, acid reflux; 3) Joint aches and body warmth in certain areas; 4) Diagnoses of inflammatory conditions ending with 'its' such as arthritis or ulcerative colitis.

How can recognizing these silent signs help in managing inflammation?

Identifying silent signs like skin problems, digestive issues, joint pain, or inflammatory diagnoses enables earlier intervention to manage inflammation before severe damage occurs. This can involve lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, or medical treatment to reduce inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of related chronic diseases.

Are conditions ending with 'itis' reliable indicators of chronic inflammation?

Yes, medical conditions with names ending in 'itis,' such as arthritis, pancreatitis, or ulcerative colitis, indicate the presence of inflammation. These diagnoses serve as markers of chronic inflammation because they involve ongoing inflammatory processes damaging specific tissues or organs.

References

  1. Cleveland Clinic|Inflammation

  2. nutritionist Deepsikha Jain via Instagram|Silent signs of inflammation

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.

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