Inflammation is your body’s natural response to an injury or infection, and it helps you heal. However, if the inflammation becomes chronic, it can damage your organs and cause numerous health issues. Unfortunately, many people aren’t even aware they have it.
Here’s what chronic inflammation can do to your body.
It Can Cause Heart Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every four deaths in the U.S. happens due to cardiovascular disease. One study revealed a connection between hsCRP (one of the inflammation markers) and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
It Can Put You at Risk of Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), chronic inflammation can damage your DNA and cause cancer. For example, those with inflammatory bowel diseases are more likely to get colon cancer. Moreover, chronic inflammation also causes cancer to spread to other organs faster.
It Can Cause or Worsen Your Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease due to which your body attacks healthy cells in your joints by mistake. Chronic inflammation can trigger the development of arthritis or worsen its symptoms.
It’s Connected to Cognitive Decline
Chronic inflammation affects your brain. It contributes to vascular and brain aging, which results in cognitive decline and a higher risk of mental health disorders.
It’s Linked to Depression
Besides causing cognitive decline, chronic inflammation can also trigger depression. Long-term inflammation leads to hypervigilance, i.e., the state of increased alertness. When our body is in this state for a long time, it becomes susceptible to its surroundings, which results in anxiety and fatigue. These symptoms often contribute to depression.
Prevent Chronic Inflammation
If you want to reduce or prevent long-term inflammation, it’s necessary to make several lifestyle changes. Include healthy foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet and cut back on processed foods. Moreover, don’t forget to make time for exercise: 30-45 minutes of exercise four or five times a week will do wonders for your body.
