Inflammation: Symptoms, Possible Causes, and Treatment

Inflammation is the result of the body protecting itself from infection and healing itself after injury. 

Everyone needs inflammation in their bodies. However, when inflammation lingers for too long or if levels of it are too high, inflammation can be dangerous, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It may contribute Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, asthma, and autoimmune diseases. 

If you have ongoing inflammation, medication and certain lifestyle practices can help reduce it and prevent inflammatory diseases.

This article will discuss the symptoms and causes of acute and chronic inflammation, how doctors diagnose inflammation, and tips on reducing inflammation.

Inflammation is usually a natural process that helps the body heal from injuries or infections. Blood flows to the damaged tissue, which supplies essential blood cells and proteins to remove any byproducts or debris. This blood flow naturally causes the area to become swollen, red, warm to the touch, and painful. Your body needs inflammation to heal.

The three broad categories Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source of inflammation are acute, subacute, and chronic.

Acute inflammation sends white blood cells to the affected area. This fast response allows your body to heal from injuries and prevent damage from infections. Acute inflammation occurs relatively quickly and may last a few days. 

Experts consider subacute inflammation a condition in which acute inflammation begins evolving into chronic inflammation. This period lasts 2–6 weeks.

Chronic inflammation is when your white blood cells react as though the body is constantly injured and trying to heal. You have too much inflammation, or the inflammation remains in your body for too long. Chronic inflammation can last for months or years. 

Signs and symptoms can vary between acute and chronic inflammation. 

Signs and symptoms of acute inflammation may develop suddenly and include:

• discoloring of the area, such as the skin
• pain
• warmth
• swelling

Chronic inflammation symptoms, which can take longer to develop and involve many areas of the body, include:

• tiredness
• constipation 
• diarrhea
• weight gain
• muscle aches
• joint pain
• rashes 

Categories Trusted Source National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Governmental authority Go to source of the many factors that can affect the immune system and may cause inflammation include:

• Environmental: Pollutants, such as air pollution, asbestos, smoking, and other toxic chemicals, can cause inflammation.
• Nutritional: Diets high in white bread, pasta, sugary drinks, red meats, fried foods, or alcohol can change your gut health and affect your immune system.
• Lifestyle and physical: Irregular sleep patterns and lack of exercise can lead to inflammation.
• Health: Certain conditions, such as infection, obesity, and stress, can lead to inflammation.

If your doctor thinks your symptoms are due to a chronic inflammatory process, they can conduct a blood test to look for certain cells or proteins in your bloodstream. The blood tests are not specific and cannot reveal whether you have acute or chronic inflammation. Your doctor may need to carry out other tests to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. 

Blood tests that help detect inflammation include:

• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• fibrinogen
• ferritin
• white blood cell count

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may request other tests. If your doctor suspects you may have inflammation in your large intestine, they may request an imaging test, such as a colonoscopy. If your doctor thinks you may have inflammation in your brain, they may request an MRI. 

Treatment for inflammation depends on what is causing it. Medications, diet, and self-care can help reduce or reverse inflammation. The specific regimen may differ for acute versus chronic inflammation.

Doctors may prescribe medications to help reduce inflammation and symptoms when you have chronic inflammation. These may help with certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and may include:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• corticosteroids
• immunosuppressants
• biologic drugs that change the way the immune system works and are often Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source  prepared with biotechnology

Learn how to take care of acute inflammation from injuries.

Certain foods can cause inflammation, and other foods can reduce and even prevent inflammation.

To reduce your likelihood of getting inflammation, limit or stop eating foods such as:

• white bread
• white pasta
• pastries and cakes
• red meats
• sugary drinks

To reduce inflammation, choose foods such as:

• fruits
• vegetables and leafy greens, such as spinach
• healthy fats, such as nuts and healthy oils
• dark chocolate
• seafood, such as salmon and tuna  

Foods containing certain antioxidants, omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals have anti-inflammatory effects and may Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source help reduce inflammation.

Learn more about the power of food here.

Exercising regularly and reducing your levels of stress can have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Learn more natural ways to ward off inflammation.

Here are some other questions people often ask about inflammation.

Taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), can reduce pain quickly, even within a few hours for arthritis. However, you may need prescription-strength NSAIDs to reduce inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids and stronger anti-inflammatories that are not available over the counter. Talk with your doctor about your diagnosis and treatment plan to reduce inflammation quickly.

The five signs Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source of inflammation are:

1. redness or flushing
2. heat
3. swelling
4. pain
5. loss of function

According to a 2019 study Trusted Source Cell Peer reviewed journal Go to source in the journal Cell, short-term and intermittent fasting may reduce inflammation and improve inflammatory diseases. However, fasting for long periods can cause malnutrition and hunger. Talk with your doctor before restricting or altering your diet. 

Learn more about the benefits of intermittent fasting.

Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from injury or disease. Acute inflammation is helpful. Chronic inflammation can lead to disease. The treatment and outcome of inflammation depend on the cause or source.

The table below is an overview of inflammation.