In a bid to fight inflammation, most doctors have come to realise that some of the best ways to curb inflammation are not through administering drugs but through a healthy diet. Al you need is to follow the right anti-inflammatory diet and you will be free from inflammation.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is simply a process that your body triggers whenever it notices something foreign in your system. The process is enhanced by white blood cells and other immune proteins which work together to protect you from an infection caused by those foreign substances. However, not every time your body releases inflammatory response because there are foreign substances; it may be due to autoimmune diseases not necessarily foreign threats.
Inflammation is your friend when it comes to fighting illnesses and infections. Nevertheless, it should last forever; it should appear and leave the affected area when the healing starts. In such cases, you may need to take a step when you have overstayed inflammation which results in chronic inflammation. What are some of the symptoms of inflammation?
Symptoms of inflammation
- Redness
- Pain in the joints
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Joint stiffness
- Chills
- Joint swelling
- Muscle stiffness
- Loss of appetite
You may also experience warmth in the affected area because when the body notices any foreign chemical in a certain body part, it increases blood flow into the region of infection hence warmth and redness. According to inflammation research, this process essentially activates nerve reactions which eventually cause pain. Sometimes the affected region results into some fluid leaking from the tissue.
Inflammation can even affect internal organ in which case, it can be chronic inflammation. Here are some of the organs that can be affected:
- Heart – in this case, you experience fluid retention or very chronic chest pains
- Bronchiolitis – this may cause some shortness of breath
- Kidneys – it results in kidney failure or hypertension
- Eyes – you may have decreased vision or some pain
- Muscles – this causes general weakness and achiness
- Blood vessels – this causes headaches and some rashes
Not all these internal organs will have some pain because some don’t even have pain-nerves. But can you prevent or minimise the occurrence of inflammation?
Prevention and treatment
Diet
Inflammation research has shown that modification of diet can relatively reduce inflammation. If you are going vegan, then you have very high chances of reducing inflammation. Nevertheless, not everyone likes vegan. In that case, you can try the Mediterranean or Okinawan diets. They are good in aging health and great in reducing inflammation. Generally, reducing carbohydrates, increasing berries-intake, leafy vegetables, and olive oil, could be just the solution.
Physical exercises
You can easily link lifestyle with inflammation especially the one related to joints. If you lack exercises, you stand at the verge of experiencing various chronic diseases. Inflammation research has concluded that physical exercises can be more effective and efficient than diet when it comes to dealing with inflammation, cancer, and general facial looks.
Supplements
Most of the foods in the market do not contain all the vitamins and mineral salts that we need. In fact, the foods that most of us consume don’t add up all that the body requires. This is where supplement options like Omega 3 Fatty acids, vitamin D, Turmeric, Berberine, and spirulina among others are great in the reduction of inflammation.
Other than vitamins, herbal supplements like chanca piedra can also possibly help to soothe inflammation and destroy harmful bacteria; thanks to the phytochemicals that the herb contains.
Takeaway
Inflammation is beneficial to your body but when it prolongs its stay, you perhaps need to see a doctor. Diet, taking required supplements and shaking your body through exercises are effective in dealing with inflammation.
Elena Deeley did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
