Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or illness, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues. High levels of inflammation inside your body may go unnoticed at first, but there are key warning signs that indicate your body is in a highly inflamed state. Recognizing these symptoms early can help you take steps to reduce inflammation and protect your overall health.
We checked in with several health experts to uncover eight signs that are linked to a “highly inflamed” body. According to them, achy joints, fatigue, and high blood pressure are a few symptoms. Read on to discover all eight.
1. Obesity or stubborn weight loss
Obesity has been a significant problem in recent years, classifying it as a major public health issue. While most people link obesity to eating unhealthy and leading a sedentary lifestyle, it turns out that all of this could also be linked to inflammation.
"Obesity is recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition, yet it doesn’t get enough attention as such. The 2 in 5 US adults classified as obese and the 3 in 4 who are overweight may be experiencing inflammation-driven weight struggles. Excess body fat increases the pro-inflammatory signals throughout the body, which is part of the reason being overweight is a risk factor for many other chronic inflammatory conditions, including heart disease, insulin resistance, and some cancers," Dr. Kenny Mittelstadt, functional medicine practitioner and expert for Cielo Daily, tells us.
2. Skin irritation
When the body is in a highly inflamed state, the immune system releases pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can trigger skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea.
Dr. Mittelstadt says, "Itching, rashes, and eczema are all signs of inflammation at play. Your skin is a reflection of internal inflammation! Changes in your skin are often one of the earliest signs of inflammation but also the most stubborn to resolve. Itching is a sign that there are increased immune cells, such as histamine, present in your circulation, which are released in response to varying underlying causes that are causing such an inflammatory response." Noted!
3. Brain fog or mood changes
High levels of inflammation in the body can also negatively impact your brain, mood, and focus.
"If you feel overwhelmed, can’t concentrate like you used to, or experience mood swings, chronic inflammation could be influencing your finer brain functioning. In fact, depression and anxiety are recognized as chronic inflammatory conditions," Dr. Mittelstadt reveals. "When chronic inflammation is present, no matter the source, the inflammatory molecules that are released circulate throughout the bloodstream, even crossing the blood-brain barrier, and interfere with the “normal” functioning of the brain cells," he adds.
4. Achy joints
Achy joints is probably one of the most well-known signs of inflammation. Traci D. Mitchell, a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, tells us how to differentiate between a minor cause of inflammation versus a chronic one.
“There is a big distinction between an achy part of your body that can be attributed to something a minor injury known as acute inflammation (i.e., a stubbed toe) versus constant achiness in a part of your body (i.e., a big toe joint) that seemed to come out of nowhere and lasts for long periods of time or flares up for no reason at all. The latter is referred to as chronic inflammation and is a sign that something is going on inside of your body,” she says.
5. GI issues
Conditions like IBS, IBD, and celiac disease are characterized by inflammation in the GI tract. Inflammation in the intestines could cause symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach cramps.
"Our gut lining is made up of a semi-permeable mucosa that likes to let the nutrients we eat out into our blood but blocks that bad stuff from getting in. When we disrupt the lining of our gut (let's say from eating too much added sugar), bad stuff can get in. When this happens, our body puts up its defenses and attacks that bad stuff—creating inflammation," Mitchell notes.
6. Fatigue
Chronic inflammation can lead to consistent feelings of fatigue or low energy. The body’s immune system is constantly activated when inflammation is present, which can drain your energy reserves. If you’re feeling exhausted despite getting enough sleep, inflammation could be the underlying cause.
7. Frequent infection or illness
Inflammation could interfere with the body’s ability to fight off pathogens effectively. This can make you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other infections that seem to linger or come back frequently.
8. High blood pressure
Chronic inflammation has been linked to elevated blood pressure levels. Inflammation can damage blood vessels, making them stiffer and less elastic. This can result in higher blood pressure as the heart works harder to pump blood through narrowed arteries.
These signs, along with the others, indicate that your body could be experiencing high levels of inflammation, which can significantly impact overall health if not managed properly.
