How Inflammation Affects Your Body

Inflammation is a process in the body in which white blood cells or proteins are released and sent to fend off damaged cells caused by injuries or bacteria and viruses. For the most part, inflammation is a vital response for recovery. However, inflammation can also cause damage to the body, particularly when inflammatory responses last longer than necessary. Here, we take a closer look at the purpose of inflammation in healing and protecting the body, how it may have a negative impact, and how to better regulate it to promote healing.

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is your body’s usual response to external and internal threats to your overall health. Inflammation can be a response to stress, injury, and infection. When this danger is detected by the immune system, it triggers the release of proteins or white blood cells to protect and repair affected cells or tissue. Inflammation can leave the affected area red and warm, as well as cause swelling dependent on fluid retention. It may also place pressure on nerves, resulting in pain and tenderness. While inflammation is a welcome and healing response in the initial phases of recovery, chronic inflammation can risk further damage to the body.

Too Much of a Good Thing: What Chronic Inflammation Does to the Body

Stress and Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation can occur as a response to stress, with C-reactive proteins entering the bloodstream to produce adrenaline, triggering your body’s fight or flight response. In many instances, this adrenaline can give us the energy that is needed to tackle stressors. However, ongoing stress results in chronic inflammation that can leave the body feeling fatigued and unable to maintain energy without the opportunity to recover from constant adrenaline.

Deterioration of the Immune System

Autoimmune diseases like arthritis are characterized by the body’s immune response, attacking healthy tissue and triggering chronic inflammation. The body’s constant attack on itself can weaken the immune system, increasing your vulnerability to illness and disease, including an increased risk of cancer cells. Studies have linked chronic inflammation to heightenedinstances of lung, esophagus, cervix, and digestive tract cancers. One 2014 Harvard University study noted a 63% rise in the risk of colorectal cancer in those who were obese, and they showed higher levels of chronic inflammation as a result. 

Sleep Quality

Fatigue and poor sleep quality have also been linked to chronic inflammation. While the connection is still being researched,one study observed subjects that reported getting inadequate sleep had a higher level of inflammation-related proteins present in the bloodstream compared to those who received a restful eight hours. A lack of sleep is also linked to a weakened immune system, accelerated skin aging, and lowered metabolism resulting in weight gain.

Weight Loss Difficulties

Chronic inflammation can slow your metabolism and trigger faulty hunger signals when the body may be full. The combination can make it especially difficult to achieve weight loss. Further still, inflammation has been proven to increase insulin resistance, raising your risk of developing diabetes alongside future weight gain. For those caught in the cycle, a holistic healthy, active living approach combined with complementary body aesthetic treatments may help.

Accelerated Skin Aging

A short burst of inflammation to stimulate skin’s natural repair cycle following injury is a welcome response but too much of it can take a toll on skin health and accelerate aging. Chronic inflammation as a result of rosacea, stress, alcohol, smoking, UV damage, glycation (a result of too much sugar in your diet), a lack of sleep, and other factors can cause the deterioration of your skin’s otherwise healthy collagen and elastin molecules. It can also take a toll on your skin’s lipid barrier, resulting in dehydration. Aesthetic treatments may help to counteract the effects but chronic inflammation should be addressed for maximum effect.

Delays in Soft Tissue Injury Recovery

In response to a soft tissue injury, the body’s initial inflammatory response offers a few healing benefits. This includes the delivery of white blood cells to the injured area to remove damaged cells and to clear other potentially harmful particles. However, if not controlled, swelling can occur that prevents proper circulation to the injured area, preventing essential nutrients from getting to the damaged tissue. Further still, inflammation and swelling can make it difficult for the body to remove damaged tissue, leading to the formation of hardened masses and scarring. This leads to a decreased range of motion, preventing your return to regular function. Chronic pain in the injured area can occur due to the lack of adequate healing. 

Venus Heal™ soft tissue injury treatments can help to relieve pain, reduce swelling, improve local blood circulation, relax muscles, and increase range of motion. The treatment also reduces edema which is one of the effects of treating inflammation. Treatments utilize three therapeutic components—deep and targeted tissue heating, pulsed magnetic energy, and massage—to support and accelerate your body’s natural healing and injury recovery. Venus Heal™ treatments may be used alone or in combination with other conventional soft tissue therapies for a quicker recovery than conventional methods alone.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of Venus Heal™ treatments in soft tissue injury recovery and how they might help to reduce the negative impacts of inflammation? Use the search field below to locate and talk to a treatment provider near you today.