lls can attack the intestines themselves, leading to a condition known as inflammatory bowel disease. Gut inflammation also contributes further to bone degradation, since it can impede your ability to absorb calcium and vitamin D, which your bones need to remain strong.
- Joint damage – Inflammation in the joints can cause serious pain, swelling, and damage. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disorder, can affect many joints throughout the body, including the hands and feet. RA appears to have a genetic component, but is also linked to smoking and a lack of vitamin D. People with RA also have an increased risk of eye problems and other issues throughout the body.
- Cancer – Inflammation has been linked to cancers of the cervix, lung, esophagus, and digestive tract. A 2015 study led by Harvard Researchers discovered that obese teenagers with high levels of systemic inflammation had a 63% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer as adults. When cells begin to produce inflammation, the immune system is weakened, which creates an environment for cancer cells to grow.
- Periodontal disease – Chronic inflammation in the mouth, known as periodontal disease, causes gums to recede and teeth to become weakened or damaged. An infection in the mouth can also trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body, contributing to heart disease and dementia.
- Difficulty losing weight – Obesity is a major contributing factor of inflammation and losing weight can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, but weight loss can be difficult when inflammation is present. Chronic inflammation can slow down your metabolism and increase insulin resistance, which also increases your risk of diabetes.
- Aging skin – Chronic inflammation has been linked to skin damage and contributes to faster cell aging, which may play a role in the formation of wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.
Suffice to say inflammation is one of the silent and invisible issues we deal with daily while working to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Making some simple changes can make a big difference.
Conscious breathing can bring it all together for you. When you become hungry, slow down and focus on your breath before making a hasty quick decision. When you start to eat chew slowly and thoroughly and be sure to take a few breaths between each bite to slow the process and give the brain time to recognize the quality and quantity of what you are eating. Finally work each week to replace an old destructive pattern with a new one, for example watch one less television show and take a walk during that time, replace soda with water….and celebrate each decision…. award your own good behavior. When your processing is calm and your decisions are positive the feedback allows you to stay away from creating negative stressors on many levels and will help with inflammatory responses.
* The Content provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.