Last Updated on July 17, 2023

Inflammation is a complex process that plays a crucial role in the body’s response to injury and infection. But when it becomes persistent and chronic, it can have damaging effects on the body and contribute to the development of chronic diseases.

Understanding the causes of inflammation is essential for maintaining good health and preventing the progression of chronic conditions. In this article, we will explore the various triggers of inflammation in the body, from physical injuries and infections to lifestyle factors and environmental toxins.

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is a complex biological process that is triggered by the body’s immune system in response to injury or infection. It is a normal and necessary response that helps to remove harmful stimuli, such as damaged cells or pathogens, from the body while promoting healing.

During inflammation, the body releases a variety of chemicals, including cytokines and white blood cells, to the affected area to help fight off the injury or infection. Signs and symptoms of inflammation include redness, heat, pain, swelling, and loss of function in the affected area.

Acute Inflammation vs Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation is a short-lived response that typically lasts a few days to a few weeks and is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a persistent form of inflammation that can last for months or even years and is associated with a variety of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

What Causes Acute Inflammation?

The most common causes of acute inflammation are:

Physical Injuries

  • Sprains and strains: Sprains and strains, which occur when a ligament or muscle is stretched or torn, can cause acute inflammation. This can result in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected area.
  • Contusions: Contusions, also known as bruises, occur when blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged. This can cause inflammation, pain, and discoloration in the affected area.
  • Cuts and abrasions: Cuts and abrasions can cause acute inflammation as the body’s immune system responds to the injury. This often causes pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area.
  • Fractures: Fractures, or broken bones, can cause acute inflammation as the body’s immune system responds to the injury. This can result in pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area.
  • Dislocations: Dislocations, which occur when a bone is forced out of its joint, can cause acute inflammation. This can lead to pain, swelling, and instability in the affected area.

Infections

  • Bacterial infections: Bacterial infections, such as streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) or cellulitis, can cause acute inflammation. This can result in redness, swelling, pain, and warmth in the affected area.
  • Viral infections: Viral infections, such as the common cold or influenza, can cause acute inflammation. This can lead to symptoms such as fever, runny nose, and sore throat.
  • Fungal infections: Fungal infections, such as candidiasis or ringworm, can cause acute inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as itching, redness, and scaling in the affected area.
  • Parasitic infections: Parasitic infections, such as giardiasis or hookworm, can cause acute inflammation. This may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
  • Sexually transmitted infections: Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause acute inflammation. This can trigger symptoms such as pain during urination, discharge, and genital itching.

Foreign Substances

  • Pollens: Pollens from plants, such as grasses and trees, can cause acute inflammation in individuals with allergies. This often results in symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching eyes.
  • Dust mites: Dust mites, tiny insects found in household dust, can cause acute inflammation in individuals with allergies. This may lead to symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching eyes.
  • Animal dander: Animal dander, tiny particles of skin and hair shed by pets, can cause acute inflammation in individuals with allergies. This can result in symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching eyes.
  • Chemicals: Exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides or cleaning products, can cause acute inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as redness, itching, and swelling in the affected area.
  • Pollution: Exposure to air pollution or other environmental pollutants can cause acute inflammation. This will bring about symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Immune System Disorders

  • Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions, which occur when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, can cause acute inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling in the affected area.
  • Autoimmune disorders: Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can cause acute inflammation as the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. This might result in symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected area.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease: Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, can cause acute inflammation in the digestive system. This will lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
  • Vasculitis: Vasculitis, a group of disorders that cause inflammation of blood vessels, can cause acute inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can cause acute inflammation. This can trigger symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, and a skin rash.

How Is Acute Inflammation Treated?

Learning how to reduce swelling and inflammation isn’t complicated. Acute inflammation can be treated using a combination of physical and medical interventions. The following are common treatments for acute inflammation:

  • Ice: Applying ice to the affected area can help to reduce swelling and numb pain.
  • Elevation: Elevating the affected area can help to reduce swelling and promote healing.
  • Rest: Resting the affected area can help to reduce inflammation and encourage healing.
  • Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help to improve mobility and reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area.
  • Medications: Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to receive more aggressive treatment, such as intravenous antibiotics or immune-suppressive drugs. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience persistent symptoms of acute inflammation.

What Causes Chronic Inflammation?

The most common causes of chronic inflammation are:

Chronic Infections

  • Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as persistent coughing, weight loss, and fatigue.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system and can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
  • Helminth infections: Helminth infections, such as hookworm or roundworm, can cause chronic inflammation. This may bring on symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malnutrition.
  • Chlamydia: Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause chronic inflammation. This can trigger symptoms such as pain during urination, discharge, and infertility.
  • Lyme disease: Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks that can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and joint pain.

Autoimmune Disorders

  • Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder that causes chronic inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, and a skin rash.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, can cause chronic inflammation in the digestive system. This can result in symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
  • Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a skin disorder that causes chronic inflammation and the formation of red, scaly patches on the skin.
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS): A chronic autoimmune disorder, MS impacts the central nervous system and can trigger persistent inflammation, leading to symptoms like muscle weakness, coordination, and balance difficulties, as well as vision issues.

Lifestyle Factors

  • Smoking: Smoking is a major cause of chronic inflammation, as the chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause oxidative stress and damage to cells and tissues.
  • Physical inactivity: Physical inactivity can cause chronic inflammation, as lack of exercise has been linked to an increase in inflammation-promoting cytokines.
  • Poor sleep: Poor sleep, such as not getting enough sleep or having poor-quality sleep, can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, mood changes, and decreased immune function.
  • Chronic stress: Prolonged stress causes inflammation, as the stress hormone cortisol can increase the production of inflammatory cytokines.
  • Poor diet: A diet high in processed foods, added sugar, and unhealthy fats can cause chronic inflammation, as these foods can increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

Environmental Toxins

  • Air pollution: Exposure to air pollution, such as smog and fine particulate matter, can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
  • Bisphenol A (BPA): Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastics and food packaging, can cause chronic inflammation. This will bring about symptoms such as hormonal imbalances, decreased immune function, and an increased risk of cancer.
  • Lead: Lead exposure, either from contaminated water or paint, can cause chronic inflammation. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, and decreased cognitive function.
  • Mercury: Mercury exposure, either from contaminated fish or dental fillings, can cause chronic inflammation. This might lead to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and tremors.
  • Pesticides: Exposure to pesticides, either through food or the environment, can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and an increased risk of cancer.

Genetics

  • Inherited genetic mutations: Inherited genetic mutations, such as those that affect the immune system or cellular processes, can cause chronic inflammation. This can result in the development of autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or an increased risk of cancer.
  • Polymorphisms: Polymorphisms, or genetic variations, in genes involved in inflammation and the immune system can increase the risk of developing chronic inflammation.
  • Family history: A family history of autoimmune disorders or other inflammatory conditions can increase the risk of developing chronic inflammation.

How Is Chronic Inflammation Treated?

The treatment of chronic inflammation depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the symptoms. The following are common treatments for chronic inflammation:

  • Medications: Anti-inflammatory medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids, can help to reduce inflammation. In some cases, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be necessary to manage the underlying autoimmune disorder.
  • Lifestyle changes: Making lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, managing stress, and getting regular exercise, can help to reduce chronic inflammation.
  • Immunosuppressive drugs: In severe cases, immunosuppressive drugs, such as methotrexate or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, may be necessary to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.
  • Surgery: Rarely, surgery may be necessary to remove the source of chronic inflammation, such as a damaged joint or diseased tissue.
  • Complementary therapies: Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or massage, can help to reduce chronic inflammation and improve symptoms.

It is important to seek medical attention if you experience persistent symptoms of chronic inflammation, as it can have damaging effects on the body and contribute to the development of chronic conditions. A healthcare professional can help to determine the underlying cause of chronic inflammation and recommend an appropriate course of treatment based on individual needs and health status.

How to Reduce Inflammation Naturally

If you want to know how to get rid of inflammation, or how to get natural pain relief, look no further. Here are the four best ways to reduce inflammation in the body.

  • Avoid foods that cause inflammation: Certain foods have been linked to increased inflammation in the body. By avoiding these foods that cause inflammation, you may be able to reduce inflammation and improve your overall health.
  • Try an anti-inflammatory diet: An anti-inflammatory diet is a type of diet that focuses on consuming foods that fight inflammation in the body, including herbs and spices. The goal of an anti-inflammatory diet is to reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation that has been linked to a variety of chronic conditions.
  • Make lifestyle changes: Several lifestyle changes can help to reduce inflammation in the body including regular physical activity, stress management, improving sleep quality, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and limiting exposure to environmental toxins.
  • Use dietary supplements: Last but not least, consider using natural anti-inflammatory supplements. Here are three of the best products to try.

Turmeric, a spice commonly used in Indian cuisine, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been found to reduce the production of cytokines, which are molecules that trigger inflammation in the body.

Apple cider vinegar has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help to reduce inflammation in the body. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has been found to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Elderberry, a fruit commonly used in supplements and syrups, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The flavonoids and polyphenols in elderberry have been found to reduce oxidative stress and the production of cytokines.

Causes of Inflammation: Final Thoughts

Inflammation is a complex and multi-faceted process that can be triggered by a variety of factors, including physical injuries and infections, chronic diseases, lifestyle factors, and environmental toxins. Understanding the underlying causes of inflammation is essential for maintaining good health and preventing the progression of chronic conditions.

By taking steps to reduce exposure to inflammatory triggers and incorporating anti-inflammatory strategies into our lives, such as eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and avoiding environmental toxins, we can help to reduce the impact of inflammation on the body and improve overall health.

It is important to work closely with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate course of action for reducing inflammation based on individual needs and health status.

Article References