What Is Inflammation?

Understanding Inflammation and How It Affects Your Health
Inflammation is a natural response your body uses to protect itself. When you get a cut or catch a cold, your immune system jumps into action, using inflammation to fight off harmful invaders and heal injuries. This kind of inflammation is good and necessary. But what happens when inflammation doesn’t turn off? What if it’s hiding in your body, silently causing damage? This is called chronic inflammation, and it’s a serious issue that can harm your health.
At Intentional Wellness Inc., uncovering and addressing hidden inflammation is one of the keys to achieving true wellness. As a functional medicine coach, I can help you understand how inflammation might be impacting your body and guide you on a path to better health.
What Is Chronic Inflammation?
Similar to autoimmune conditions, chronic inflammation happens when your body’s immune system stays active even when there’s no threat. This can happen for many reasons: stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, food intolerances, exposure to toxins, or underlying infections. Over time, this ongoing immune response can damage your cells and lead to diseases like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune conditions, and even Alzheimer’s.
Functional medicine looks at the root causes of chronic inflammation. Instead of just treating symptoms, I work to find out why your body is inflamed and address those issues directly. For example, if your inflammation is caused by a food sensitivity, removing that food can help your body heal.
Signs of Chronic Inflammation
Many people have chronic inflammation without even knowing it. Some common signs include:
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Fatigue – Feeling tired all the time, even after a good night’s sleep. Your body is using extra energy to fight inflammation, leaving you exhausted.
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Joint pain – Achy, stiff, or swollen joints that make it hard to move. This happens when inflammation affects the tissues around your bones.
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Digestive problems like bloating, diarrhea, or constipation – Stomach troubles can be a sign that inflammation is irritating your gut, making it hard to digest food properly. Most people think that if they just take the right supplement, that it will cure their gut issues, but there is a lot more going on that needs to be addressed to heal the gut.
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Brain fog or difficulty concentrating – Feeling forgetful, confused, or unable to focus. Inflammation can affect the brain, making it harder to think clearly.
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Skin issues like acne, eczema, or psoriasis – Red, itchy, or bumpy skin may mean your immune system is overreacting, causing inflammation on the surface of your body.
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Frequent infections or slow wound healing – If you get sick often or your cuts take a long time to heal, inflammation might be weakening your immune system.
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Unexplained weight gain or loss – – Inflammation can mess with your hormones, making you gain or lose weight without changing your diet or exercise.
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Allergies or asthma – If your immune system is inflamed, it may overreact to things like pollen, dust, pet dander, or food, causing sneezing, coughing, or trouble breathing.
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Mood swings or anxiety – Inflammation can affect brain chemicals that control your emotions, making you feel more stressed, anxious, or moody.
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High blood pressure or blood sugar levels – Long-term inflammation can damage blood vessels and affect how your body handles sugar, raising your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to dig deeper. Want to have a look for yourself? Visit my page on functional lab testing to learn how specialized tests can identify hidden sources of inflammation.
How Functional Medicine Helps
Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to health. Instead of looking at your symptoms in isolation, I consider how your entire body is connected. For example, inflammation in your gut can cause problems in other areas, like your brain or skin. By addressing the root causes of inflammation, I can help improve your overall health.
Diet and Nutrition
Certain foods can cause or reduce inflammation. A functional medicine coach can help you identify inflammatory foods, like sugar, processed grains, trans fats, and artificial additives. Many people also have hidden food intolerances, such as to gluten, dairy, or soy, which can trigger chronic inflammation. Eliminating these foods can make a significant difference.
At the same time, I encourage adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. These include leafy greens like spinach and kale, fatty fish rich in omega-3s like salmon and mackerel, and spices like turmeric and ginger. Foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, nuts, and dark chocolate, also help combat inflammation. Learn more about creating an anti-inflammatory diet plan tailored to your needs.
Stress Management
Chronic stress can keep your body in a state of inflammation. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can lead to increased inflammation over time. Practicing stress management techniques is essential for reducing this burden on your body.
I recommend incorporating mindfulness techniques, like meditation, yoga, or journaling, into your daily routine. Even simple practices, like taking deep breaths or spending time in nature, can help. Read my article on stress for more information on how stress is detrimental to your health.
Gut Health
The health of your gut plays a huge role in inflammation. Your gut houses trillions of bacteria, and when this balance is disrupted, it can lead to a condition called leaky gut. In leaky gut syndrome, tiny gaps in the intestinal lining allow harmful substances to enter your bloodstream, triggering inflammation.
Functional medicine uses probiotics, prebiotics, dietary changes, and targeted supplements to heal the gut. (Although, as should be clear from this article, it takes more than just a supplement to heal the gut.). Foods like fermented vegetables and coconut yogurt can also support gut health. I offer guidance on gut healing strategies to restore balance and reduce inflammation throughout your body.
Toxin Exposure
Everyday chemicals in your home, food, and water can contribute to inflammation. These toxins include pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, and other pollutants. Over time, they can build up in your body and overwhelm your detoxification systems.
A functional medicine approach identifies sources of toxin exposure and helps you minimize them. I can recommend steps like choosing organic produce, using non-toxic cleaning products, and filtering your water. Additionally, gentle detox protocols using foods and supplements can support your body’s ability to remove toxins. Explore my detoxification tips to start reducing your toxin load.
Other Causes of Inflammation
Besides diet, stress, gut health, and toxins, other common causes of inflammation include:
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Infections: Chronic infections, such as Lyme disease or viral infections, can keep your immune system on high alert.
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Hormonal Imbalances: Issues with hormones like insulin, thyroid, or cortisol can trigger inflammation.
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Sleep Issues: Poor sleep or sleep disorders like sleep apnea can contribute to inflammation.
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Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity increases inflammatory markers, while regular exercise reduces them.
Why Work With Me as a Functional Medicine Coach?
Finding and fixing hidden inflammation can feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in. At Intentional Wellness Inc., I work with you to create a personalized plan based on your unique needs. Together, we’ll uncover the root causes of your inflammation and take steps to resolve it. Whether it’s through diet, lifestyle changes, or targeted supplements, I’ll be with you every step of the way.
Are you ready to feel your best? Sign up here to get started on your journey to better health. Let’s uncover and heal the hidden inflammation that’s holding you back.
References
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Calder, Philip C. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Processes: From Molecules to Man.” Biochemical Society Transactions, vol. 45, no. 5, 2017, pp. 1105–1115. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641855/.
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Furman, David, et al. “Chronic Inflammation in the Etiology of Disease Across the Life Span.” Nature Medicine, vol. 25, no. 12, 2019, pp. 1822–1832. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-019-0675-0.
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Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K., et al. “Chronic Inflammation and Age-Related Diseases.” Psychological Science in the Public Interest, vol. 11, no. 4, 2010, pp. 15–19. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1529100610387086.
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Pahwa, Rajesh, et al. “Inflammation: Causes and Effects.” Frontiers in Neuroscience, vol. 13, 2019. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2019.00297/full.
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Schirmer, Melanie, et al. “Linking the Human Gut Microbiome to Inflammatory Cytokine Production Capacity.” Cell, vol. 167, no. 4, 2016, pp. 1125–1136.e8. https://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0092-8674(16)31126-3.

Further Reading: Mystery, Undiagnosed,
& Invisible Illnesses
- Chronic Fatigue Causes: Hormonal, AutoImmune, and Undiagnosed Illness
- Unraveling Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnostic Challenges
- Long COVID: A Neurological Perspective
- Fibromyalgia: Does It Really Exist?
- My Search for the Truth about Fibromyalgia
- Functional Health and Finding the Root Cause
- What Causes Brain Fog?
- Histamine Intolerance: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes, and Treatment