It is so important to understand how an inflammatory process can seriously affect our health in the long-term.With an ongoing pandemics of the corona virus, it would be good if more people could understand some facts. Like for an ex. that the virus can be lethal only to people whose immune system is compromised (weakened) with some chronic disease. For many people, living with a weakened immune system means a higher chance of infection and illness. Not just during a global pandemic.
Are You Immunocompromised?
You can think of your immune system as a strong army. And, its primary task is to protect you from enemies both foreign (viruses and bacteria) and domestic (diseases like cancer). If or when you’re immunocompromised, your immune system’s defences are low, affecting its ability to fight off infections and diseases. Depending on WHY your immune system is compromised, this state can be either permanent or temporary.
I’ll try to simply explain:
- Why a chronic inflammation poses a serious problem in the human body?
- How can you protect yourself?
Temporary Or A Permanent Inflammation?
Last year a had fairly light accident on my motorcycle, though I broke my hand and I was full of bruises and scratches. Have you ever thought of why these ruptures, scratches or cuts on your body didn’t bleed continuously? Why after several days your wound(s) will heal naturally with no consequences and health complications? Complicated question and a simple answer is – acute Inflammation as a localized protective response elicited by injury or destruction of tissues. Its main purpose is to dilute, destroy, or wall off both the injurious agent and the injured tissue. I have learned in the Medicine studying that the five classic signs of inflammation are: redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function.
In other word, in most cases the healing process works well with no complication. However, the main issue with an inflammation is that it can really turn into a chronic problem and than complication your life. Chronic inflammation is nothing else but a prolonged inflammatory response that involves a progressive change in the type of cells present at the site of inflammation. It is characterized by the simultaneous destruction and repair of the tissue from the inflammatory process. It can follow an acute form of inflammation or be a prolonged low-grade form.
Why’s A Chronic Inflammatory Is A Health Issue?
Unlike the inflammation that follows a sudden infection or injury, the chronic kind produces a steady, low level of inflammation within the body that can contribute to the development of disease. It’s the result, in part, of an over firing immune system. Low levels of inflammation can get triggered in the body even when there’s no disease to fight or injury to heal, and sometimes the system can’t shut itself off. This chronic inflammation can affect every organ in your body (be it your gastrointestinal or urinary tract, cardiovascular system, kidney, liver, muscles, thyroid, or your brain) . As a matter of fact, chronic inflammation is strongly associated with a diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and even dementia.
Although conventional medicine and clinicians say that the are still not sure what exactly causes the immune system to misfire and begin this process, they do, however, acknowledge what factors can affect your risk for chronic inflammation. These are your diet and eating habits, as well as the stressful and unhealthy lifestyle.
If we understand that the inflammation can lead to serious health problems, isn’t or shouldn’t our best interest be to work on the prevention in order to avoid it or at least minimize it in our bodies? I am sure you’d agree with me though many would ask ”is feasible and how”?
Your Health Does Not Live In A Pharmacy!
Well, one of the most powerful tools to combat inflammation my friends, comes not from the pharmacy, and doctors but first of all from the healthy lifestyle, notably your mental state which is related to your mindset and way of thinking, food and drink, physical activities. There are really plenty of scientific and experimental studies that have clearly demonstrated that components of foods or beverages may have serious anti-inflammatory effects. If we tackle only one aspect of a healthy lifestyle – namely your eating habits, one way to fight inflammation is simply to be self disciplined and to avoid foods that increase inflammation in the body.
Change Your Unhealthy Eating Habits
he following foods items are killing you in the longer run and of course affect your body, thus, can trigger an inflammation: Carbs notably those refined carbs such as bread and pastries, pasta, rice, fried foods, fast food in general, processed meat and its products, margarine, and of course all types of food that contain sugar. That’s killer number one.
On the other hand, there are foods that fight inflammation. So, try to avoid these foods killers and add these foods to your diet – vegetables notably green one, fruits, olive oil, nuts, generally all those good and healthy fats from proteins such are omega-3s from oily fish, walnuts, and some seeds, grass-fed meat and pasture-raised poultry, legumes, whole grains, and unpasteurized full-fat dairy.
Exercise Everyday
Last but not least, do not forget to exercise! It is also a great way to decrease inflammation in the body. Just 20 m-30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise can reduce inflammation in the body. It includes jogging, fast walking, bicycling, tennis, gardening. Feeling like a workout needs to be at a peak exertion level for a long duration can intimidate those who suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases and could greatly benefit from physical activity. For most people moderate active exercise can help with inflammation.
Invest In Your Health – Now!
During the ongoing pandemics of the Covid-19 virus, we are even more vulnerable. Not in terms of catching the virus, but if infected, one’s clinical condition can be very serious if a person suffers from a chronic disease. Hence, please consider these tips to help you fight the battle of excess inflammation in your body.
Remember that fighting inflammation can pay big dividends in your life.
