Inflammation: The Root Cause of Disease

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Written By Amanda Mays

You have most likely heard the world inflammation before. In our modern lives, there are many factors that contribute to inflammation.

How do you know if you have inflammation? What does it really feel like? Read on for more information on inflammation, it’s symptoms, and what it feels like to suffer from a chronically stimulated inflammatory response. 

Inflammation is the root cause of disease  and it affects nearly every aspect of your health. As a Certified Integrative Health Practitioner, inflammation is something I look at. A lot. In Western medicine, doctors treat the symptoms of inflammation. In my practice, I work to get to the bottom of what’s causing the symptoms—meaning, I work to identify the source(s) causing the inflammation.

WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?

When you think of inflammation, what comes to mind? For some, it may be redness, swelling, or heat. While inflammation is usually viewed as a bad thing, we actually need a certain amount of inflammation to survive.

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense system against things like viruses and bacteria. The inflammation targets these foreign invaders as a way to help the body heal itself.

When it comes to inflammation, there are two different kinds we need to look at:

Acute Inflammation

Acute inflammation starts suddenly but then usually dissipates after a couple of days. Some examples of acute inflammation include bronchitis, a sore throat, or sinusitis.

Chronic Inflammation

This is the type of inflammation we need to watch out for. Chronic inflammation can stick around for months and sometimes even years. This type of inflammation can occur if we don’t remove the source of the inflammation. Constantly exposing our body to what may be triggering the inflammation in the first place is one of the way’s chronic inflammation occurs. Diseases commonly associated with chronic inflammation include asthma, autoimmune diseases, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What does inflammation feel like?

  • Bloating

  • Brain fog

  • Fatigue

  • Moodiness

  • Pain


What Causes Inflammation?

There are a number of things that can cause inflammation. The biggest factors I see for chronic cases of inflammation are lifestyle choices: a standard American diet (processed foods and sugar) and a sedentary lifestyle. When we consume foods that are packed with toxins and expose our bodies to environmental toxins, it affects the immune system. When the body is burdened with these toxins for extended periods of time, these toxins build up in the body and turn on an immune response that stays in a highly reactive state we experience as chronic inflammation.

Foods that can trigger inflammation:

  • Conventional animal products

  • Conventional dairy

  • Hydrogenated fats Trans-fats

  • Hydrogenated fats

  • Refined carbohydrates

  • Sugar

Environmental toxins can also cause inflammation in the body including:

  • Food pollutants

  • Stress

  • Toxic metals such as mercury

  • Toxins found in the environment, skincare products, and water

Other causes of inflammation:

  • Candida overgrowth

  • Dysbiosis, an imbalance of bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract

  • Food allergies or sensitivities

  • H pylori

  • Mold

  • Parasites

  • SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth)

Inflammation & Dis-ease

We know that there are different types of inflammation and that there are a number of different things that can trigger this inflammation. However, understanding how inflammation is at the root of almost all disease is important. Inflammation is thought to be behind some of the most debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and even heart disease. Not treating the inflammation can cause long-lasting effects including:

  • Acid reflux

  • Arthritis

  • Autoimmune disorders

  • Bronchitis

  • Cancer

  • Candida

  • Diabetes

  • Early signs of aging

  • Heart disease

  • High blood pressure

  • Increased susceptibility to infection

  • Skin conditions

  • Urinary tract infections

How can you reduce inflammation?

Dietary and lifestyle changes are at the forefront of reducing the inflammation in your body. If you eliminate the foods that may be triggering an inflammatory response and discover foods your body may be sensitive to, you take the first step in allowing your body to reduce its inflammatory response. However, that’s only one step.

Other ways you can begin reducing inflammation in your body:

  • Consume anti-inflammatory foods such as berries, leafy green vegetables, walnuts, wild-caught salmon, and spices

  • Do a detox

  • Eliminate sugar and processed foods

  • Eliminate trans and hydrogenated fats

  • Get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night

  • Get tested for food sensitivities and remove reactive foods

  • Move your body every day. If you lead a sedentary life, begin with 20-30 minutes of walking and build up.

  • Reduce stress through daily meditation and mindfulness

  • Work with an Integrative Health Practitioner to run Functional Medicine labs to see exactly what is going on with your gut

Want to learn more about your own health? Get in touch to set up your free 15-minute consultation. I offer in-person, phone, and Skype consultations.

Amanda Mays
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