Chronic inflammation is often invisible without immediate or serious symptoms, but over the long-term it’s been linked to many chronic diseases such as:

●     Acne, eczema, and psoriasis

●     Allergies and asthma

●     Autoimmune diseases (arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus)

●     Cancer

●     Chronic pain

●     Gastrointestinal disorders (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

●     Heart disease and stroke

●     Lung diseases (emphysema)

●     Mental illnesses (anxiety, depression)

●     Metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes)

●     Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)

How does chronic inflammation begin? It may start acutely—from an infection or injury—and then instead of shutting off, it becomes persistent. Chronic low-grade inflammation can also occur with exposure to chemicals (e.g., tobacco) or radiation, consuming an unhealthy diet or too much alcohol, not being very physically active, feeling stressed or socially isolated, and having excess weight.

 Now that we see that inflammation underlies so many of our medical conditions, here’s what to do to put out those slow-burning, smoldering fires.