Inflammation Treatment

Understanding Inflammation: Causes and Solutions

Inflammation is a bodily reaction or response to a certain kind of injury, infection or any regressive stimuli that you may be exposed to. Inflammation has a vital role in the process of healing the body thoroughly from any interferences. The problematic side of inflammation comes into picture when it becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation can lead to various health conditions which cause heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and autoimmune disorders. 

Largely, there are two kinds of inflammation that the body can experience: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation usually happens for a short period of time which usually acts as a response to the injury or infection that the human body goes through. The symptoms of acute inflammation last for a short period of time and can include redness, swelling, heat and pain. For instance, while cutting veggies, if you cut your thumb by mistake, you can see that the wounded area becomes inflamed. This happens primarily because of the fact that the body sends white blood cells to the infection site and promotes healing of the cuts. Such acute inflammations are beneficial for the body and heals soon enough without much hassle or trouble. 

On the contrary, chronic inflammation has long term effects. Long term chronic inflammation happens primarily due to consistent stress elements such as bad diet, lack of exercise, environmental toxins and ongoing infections which persist for a long period of time. Such chronic inflammation can create tissue damage and can often lead to cancer, Alzheimer's and metabolic disorder. 

Supplements That Help Fight Inflammation

Along with a balanced diet and exercise, sometimes it is necessary to take certain supplements to handle your inflammation and tackle the issues effectively. The supplements can aid your bodily functions by providing essential nutrients to your body for its healing process. Here’s the list of inflammation tackling supplements that you can use:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 is one of those nutrients that helps in reducing the level of inflammatory molecules in the body. It helps in handling bodily conditions such as arthritis and heart diseases or cardiovascular issues. Omega-3 can be easily found in fish oil. 

Turmeric: The active compound which naturally occurs in turmeric is curcumin which is highly effective for tackling anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin helps in reducing inflammation at a very molecular level and reduces joint pain and muscle inflammation easily. You can incorporate turmeric in your dishes or you can take turmeric ginger shots for better results. 

Ginger: Ginger is primarily a root and it contains certain bioactive compounds that help in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress on the body. Conventionally, Indians have used ginger for relieving themselves of digestive issues. It also has been traditionally used to deal with pain caused due to inflammation. 

Green Tea Extract: Considering the fact that green tea is rich in antioxidants, it helps in lowering inflammation levels in the body and also contributes to keeping your heart in optimal health. Green tea also has polyphenols which reduces the production of inflammatory compounds in the human body. 

Stress Reduction Techniques for Lower Inflammation

Chronic stress can lead to extremely high inflammation in one’s body and when you put your body through a constant state of stress, your body starts producing an extremely alarming level of cortisol. Cortisol is one of those hormones which creates inflammatory responses in the body. By adding stress management techniques in your life through professional guidance, you can lower inflammation and enhance your immune system’s strength easily. Here are techniques which can improve your overall well-being:

Meditation and Mindfulness: By incorporating mindfulness into your daily life, you can regulate the stress response of your body, lower cortisol level and reduce inflammation easily. As per studies, by indulging in regular meditation, you can enhance the immunity of your body and reduce inflammation thoroughly. 

Deep Breathing Exercise: It has been proven with evidence backed research that controlled breathing techniques like the 4-7-8 breathing method or the diaphragmatic breathing can make your parasympathetic nervous system active which leads to reduction in stress and inflammation thoroughly. 

Physical Activity: If heavy exercise is not possible, physical activity like walking, yoga, strength training etc leads to production of endorphins which lower inflammatory proteins. By indulging in such activities, you can counter symptoms like inflammatory pain. 

Quality Sleep: Poor sleep can lead to enhanced inflammatory markers in the human body. By maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and maintaining your circadian rhythm, you can reduce inflammation easily. Avoid blue light before you go to bed and practice better habits for sound sleep. 

Medications and Therapies for Inflammation Relief

We have discussed the importance of lifestyle and dietary changes which can lead to reduction in inflammation and lead to a better health condition, you can also seek professional medical intervention to deal with the conditions effectively. Various medications and therapies can help in maintaining chronic inflammation and provide ease and comfort from the painful symptoms. Here are some of the medications and therapies clinically proven to counter inflammation:

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Various NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, Aspirin and Naproxen help in reducing inflammation and pain due to inflammation. These drugs block the creation of inflammation causing chemicals called prostaglandins. Although NSAIDs can provide short term relief from symptoms, long term use of these drugs can cause various complications such as stomach ulcers and kidney damage. 

Corticosterioids

These categories of medicines such as prednisone are extremely powerful and can treat conditions such as arthritis, asthma and autoimmune conditions. They work by suppressing the immune system and thereby tackling inflammation. However such drugs must be taken under medical supervision due to side effects such as weight gain and increased blood sugar level. 

Biologic Drugs

Those people with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or Chron’s disease, biologic drugs can treat specific immune system pathways to reduce inflammation. Such medications including TNF inhibitors and interleukin blockers are typically prescribed for severe inflammatory conditions. 

Conclusion

Inflammation is a natural response of one’s body to external stimuli. By tackling inflammation thoroughly, you can reduce stress on your body meticulously.