By Health Square desk 
Inflammation is the defence mechanism of the body that has a significant role in the healing tool of the body. When a foreign invader poses harm to the body, the immune system releases chemicals that act as the first line of defence. Inflammation is a natural immune response resulting in swelling, redness, fever, pain, fatigue in seeing off to foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, injuries and other diseases. Once the pathogen or intruder is killed, the body gets back to its normal mode. Inflammation can be either acute or chronic. Signs of acute inflammation are temporary and mild. The signs of chronic inflammation are severe and somewhat an alarming sign of an underlying health disorder, and consult a doctor.
Acute Inflammation
Acute inflammation can be caused by tissue damage from physical trauma, microbial invasion, or toxic compounds. The immune system’s response time in acute inflammation is rapid, and signs become severe in a short time lasting for a few days—the examples of such are cellulitis or acute pneumonia. Another important term is Subacute inflammation referred to a period between acute and chronic inflammation lasting for 2 to 6 weeks.
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a slow, long-term inflammation that may last for prolonged periods of several months to years. Generally, the severity and effects of chronic inflammation vary depending on the cause of the injury and the ability of your body to heal and repair the damage. Chronic inflammation is quite concerning and can lead to serious health complications.
This article reviews symptoms of chronic inflammation.
Classic signs of inflammation are fatigue, fever, and joint and muscle pain. Most people associate chronic inflammation with an injury or an arthritis condition; however, inflammation can sign various severe health conditions. The symptoms of inflammation are considered atypical, including balance issues, insulin resistance, muscle weakness, eye problems, skin issues, and more. Regardless of what symptoms of chronic inflammation you experience, none of these symptoms should be ignored. some of the signs that need to be addressed if persists for a longer duration are discussed below
1. Skin Symptoms
Rashes are a common inflammatory sign, especially in various autoimmune diseases that cause systemic (all-over) inflammation. When the immune system triggers an inflammatory response that attacks skin cells, conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis develop. But skin symptoms are not only a sign of these diseases; conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can trigger an inflammatory response that attacks the skin. Skin involvement in rheumatiod arthrits indicates a severe form of the disease in about 1 in 100 people. It can lead to diseases like rheumatoid nodules, Felty syndrome, livedo reticularis, and rheumatoid vasculitis if left untreated.
2. Swollen Lymph Nodes
Lymphadenitis (a medical term used for swollen lymph nodes) can be a symptom of chronic inflammation in the body. There are approximately 600 lymph nodes in the human body, but the most common known by you are located in the neck, under the armpits, and in the groin area. The swelling of lymph nodes is an alarming sign that something is happening with the immune system. The lymph nodes usually swell in response to an infection such as a sore throat or cold can cause the lymph nodes present in the neck to swell up. Once the body has destroyed the viral infection, the swelling will be gone in the lymph nodes. But if the lymph nodes anywhere in the body are consistently swollen or painful, consult your doctor as it can be a sign of something serious.
3. Excess Mucus Production
Mucus is a slippery and stringy fluid substance that acts as a protective and moisturizing layer released by lining tissues to keep critical organs from drying out. It contains antibodies and pathogen killing enzymes to help fight off infections and act as a trap for irritants like dust, smoke, or bacteria. It
The body produces around 1 to 1.5 litres of mucus per day. We don’t tend to notice mucus unless its production is increased or the quality of mucus has changed. If the needing to clear your throat or blow your nose, or the appearance of mucus changes, it can be a sign of chronic inflammation. Several inflammatory diseases, including chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can trigger mucus production. If excess mucus production is regular, talk to your healthcare provider about getting a diagnosis and treatment plan.
4. Low Energy
If you are consistently feeling tired despite having a regular sleep at night, then your body might be fighting off inflammation. Your energy levels are low because your immune system is consistently working. You should make an appointment with the doctor for fatigue that has lasted two or more weeks despite getting better sleep, no stress, eating healthy, and staying hydrated.
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5. Poor Digestion
Several inflammatory diseases can cause problems directly connected to the digestive system health, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Common digestive system issues associated with inflammation include bloating or gas, abdominal discomfort, constipation, and diarrhoea. Research shows that even acute inflammation can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be another symptom of chronic inflammation in the body. It is a digestive disorder causing acid stomach juices, food, or fluids to retract from the stomach to the oesophagus, the hollow, muscular tube from the throat leading to the stomach.
According to a study reported in 2016 reported by the Journal of the American Association (JAMA), GERD could be part of the body’s natural inflammatory response. Unfortunately, this response leads to damage to the oesophagus. Prolonged digestive issues can affect the quality of life. If you consistently experience digestive troubles, make an appointment with the doctor to narrow down a diagnosis.
6. Balance Problems
Inflammatory diseases can cause the body to attack its nerve cells and leaving nerve signals compromised. This causes a person to feel dizzy, off-balance and having problems with walking. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one example of such inflammatory disease that affects balance due to inflammation in the parts of the brain specified for processing balance. Further, any inflammatory condition—like an autoimmune disease—that affects vision, inner ear, and sensory routes can disturb the balance. You should contact the doctor any time you notice changes to your balance or your walk.
7. Insulin Resistance
Research shows inflammation affects the functioning of the insulin hormone. Insulin is a hormone that controls sugar levels in the blood. The deficiency or insulin resistance can result in high blood sugar. Persistent high levels of blood sugar can cause damage to nerves and blood cells, leading to diabetes. Talk to the doctor if you are consistently experiencing one or more of the symptoms such as unusual thirst, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss as persistent high blood sugar can cause serious complications.
8. Blood Clotting Problems
A new study suggests that people suffering from a chronic infection are more likely to develop dangerous blood clots. Researchers say that patients suffering from respiratory and urinary tract infections have a temporarily doubled risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This potentially deadly condition can block circulation in large veins due to a blood clot. People who develop chronic inflammation from an injury, trauma, or inflammatory disease can develop hypercoagulation—a condition causing the blood to clot unnecessarily. Hypercoagulation might lead to a stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.
9. Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are common with inflammatory conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome-an autoimmune disease affecting the tear and the salivary glands or other autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. Contact the doctor if you experience dry eyes, blurred vision, burning or stinging of the eyes, a gritty feeling in one or both eyes, inflamed eyelids, sensitivity to light or discomfort wearing contacts. The diagnosis and treatment are essential to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of vision loss and other serious eye complications.
10. Brain Fog
Brain fog is a sign of many inflammatory conditions as brain inflammation most often manifests as brain fog and sluggish brain function. Inflammation in the brain causes a hindrance in the neurons’ energy production, making the communication between neurons harder. It causes the brain to act slow and tired more easily while performing activities such as reading, working, concentrating on a task, or driving for any length. Research shows inflammation associated with chronic inflammatory diseases might be responsible for mental sluggishness, and if inflammation is left unchecked, it can be dangerous.
11. Low Back Pain
Ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis are known as a cause of chronic inflammation attacking the spine and causing pain in the hips and neck. You may also feel pain and stiffness in the lower back, especially in the morning. Consulting the doctor is very important if you experience persistent low back and hip pain. Early treatment can help control pain and stiffness and manage the disease to reduce the risk for any disability.
Take Away
Treatment for chronic inflammation can resolve cognitive disorders. It can also be managed by making healthy dietary choices that improve energy, overall health and other symptoms caused by chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation increases the risk of various health conditions. If you experience signs of chronic inflammation—whether typical or atypical, consult the doctor about getting blood tests to determine the cause of the inflammation. Medications, dietary supplements, and lifestyle changes can alleviate the signs of chronic inflammation and improve the infection. You should also manage the stressors and avoid smoking and excess alcohol consumption to reduce your risk.
