8 Signs Your Body is Inflamed and How to Fix It

Inflammation is all the buzz in the health and fitness industry.

I’m sure you have heard it mentioned before, and I am sure you will continue to hear about it.

We all know it is bad for us and our overall health, but do you know exactly what it is and what to look out for?

What is Inflammation?

The best and most clear-cut definition I have found was said best by Deepak Bhatt, M.D., M.PH. He stated, “think of inflammation as the body's natural response to protect itself against harm.” 

That makes total sense.  Your body is trying to protect itself and as a result, you are seeing signs that your body is hard at work trying to keep you healthy.

There are 2 types of inflammation: acute and chronic.

Acute inflammation helps us get rid of infections such as the flu or help heal cuts. Acute inflammation is normal and part of a healthy immune response.

Chronic inflammation is the one that you need to worry about. Chronic inflammation is the body’s response to unwanted bacteria or toxins that are present in the body. Over time, chronic inflammation can cause serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, cancer, etc.

8 Signs of inflammation to watch out for:

1.      Digestive Problems

Symptoms: Common digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation are inflammation signs.

If you feel like your life is an advertisement for Pepto-Bismol, there is something amiss.

The health of your gut plays a major factor in your overall health. In fact, numerous studies show your gut health is tied to diseases including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

How to reduce inflammation in the body: You need to focus on your gut health! A healthy gut filled with good bacteria is going to keep you healthy and prevents diseases.

Probiotics are also a good thing to implement because they help keep your microbiome happy. Probiotics are supplements that contain live bacteria. These bacteria are beneficial to keeping your digestive system thriving and healthy.

Remember if you keep your gut healthy, then you are less likely to suffer from diseases. Picking out a probiotic involves a lot of research and time. Probiotics are not created equal. Want one that is well-rated and quality? Try this one that I take daily.

2.      Feeling Tired

Symptoms: This isn’t your everyday tired from doing the daily grind. This is I’m exhausted ALL THE TIME no matter how much rest I get.

If you have no get up and go, there is an underlying issue. It could signal a hormonal issue such as hypothyroidism.

Most people are quick to dismiss being tired, but fatigue is a common sign of inflammation.

Reducing inflammation in the body: Reduce stress and try to get a good night’s sleep.

It is recommend that adults between the ages of 26-64 get 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

If you are getting a good amount of rest and still feel like a zombie, schedule an appointment with your doc. Get some blood work run. Make sure they run a thyroid panel, vitamin D, and look at your iron levels.

Want to get these tests done without the hassle of going to the doctor? Check out EverylyWell they have women’s health test kits. They are affordable, convenient, reviewed by a doctor, and give detailed explanations and actionable insights.

RELATED:  7 Signs Your Hormones Are Out of Balance

 

3.      High blood sugars

Symptoms: High blood sugars levels are a classic example of chronic inflammation in the body. If you have a fasting blood sugar over 99, you want to be concerned.

It is possible to be insulin resistant and not even know it. Insulin resistance can contribute to weight gain and even cause hormonal issues like PCOS.

If left untreated, insulin resistance and high blood sugars it can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Inflammation treatment: You need to watch what you are eating. Cut out sugars and highly processed foods, and avoid these foods if you are insulin resistant. Try eating a low-carb diet and incorporate exercise into your routine.

This should help bring down your blood sugars over time. Not sure where to begin when starting a low-carb diet? This article teaches you the basics of carb counting.

RELATED: 4 Natural Alternatives to Metformin

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4.      Red, itchy skin

Symptoms: Rashes, red, itchy, skin and eczema all signal that your body is inflamed.

These are classic symptoms of inflammation. Several autoimmune diseases can affect the skin, particularly psoriasis.

The skin is usually warning us that something is off internally in our body. Pay attention to your skin, it tells a story about your overall health.

Reducing inflammation symptoms: Use products that are gentle and that don’t have harsh chemicals that are more likely to cause reactions.

Sometimes it is as easy as swapping out personal products. When in doubt natural products are always better for you and your health. Check out this article about safer personal products.

5.      Allergies

Symptoms: Are your eyes always watering?

Are you constantly coughing and sneezing?

Inflammation also occurs when we are subjected to chemicals, irritants, or foods that we are sensitive to.

The body is trying to remove the toxins or harmful bacteria that it has been exposed to.

How to fend off inflammation: It would be worth your time to get allergy testing done to figure out what is causing your inflammation. That way, you can then eliminate it from your diet or environment.

Also, remember to reduce stress and to get sleep. These will help you fight off environmental toxins better.

6.      Apple-shaped/ excess belly fat

Symptoms: Weight that is carried around the belly is a red flag that your body is fighting off some serious inflammation.

Inflammatory foods and chemicals cause us to gain weight. As well as being insulin resistant.

The weight carried around your stomach is considered to be more concerning because it is visceral fat. Visceral fat accumulates around abdominal organs and has been strongly linked to a host of serious disease risks, including heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

Women should aim to have their waists measure 35 inches or less.

Follow an anti-inflammatory diet: Eat inflammation-fighting foods and reduce foods that tend to be inflammatory like sugar, gluten, wheat, and cow’s milk.

Anything with artificial ingredients and hydrogenated oils will also elicit an inflammatory response.

RELATED: 5 Foods to Cut if You are Insulin Resistant

7.      High blood pressure

Symptoms: If you are constantly getting high blood pressure readings and it isn’t due to White Coat Syndrome, then your body is signaling to you that you are chronically inflamed.

You are considered to have high blood pressure if you are getting readings of 130/80.

If you have chronic high blood pressure, you will most likely need to be supervised by a doctor and be put on medication to lower your blood pressure.

Lowering your blood pressure: Lowering your blood pressure is key in preventing heart disease and strokes.

To do this, it is a multi-faceted approach. You need to eat an anti-inflammatory diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.

An easy way to bring down your blood pressure a bit is to reduce your sodium intake.

8.      Swollen, bleeding gums

Symptoms: If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, that means you have harmful bacteria in the blood that is causing inflammation.

You have hundreds of different groups of bacteria in your mouth. They can cause bad breath, inflammation, plaque buildup, cavities, and premature aging.

Most people have no idea, but your gum health is a big predictor of what’s really going on in the body. The bad bacteria in your mouth are correlated with the thickening of the arteries, which is usually a precursor to a stroke.

There is a study in Norway examining the connection between Alzheimer’s and gum disease. P. gingivalis is the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. Researchers analyzed brain tissue, spinal fluid, and saliva from Alzheimer’s patients (both living and deceased) and found evidence of the bacteria P. gingivalis.

Solution: Brush and floss regularly. Invest in an electric toothbrush. I love mine it does such a thorough job. An electric toothbrush reduces plaque and gingivitis better than manual brushing. You should be brushing your teeth for a minimum of 2 minutes twice a day. In addition, make sure you are getting regular dental check-ups.

Signs of inflammation in the body

Please don’t ignore these symptoms! Inflammation is a serious problem. It is important to tune into the subtle messages your body is sending you. If you don’t, the next messages won’t be so subtle. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention…

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