When you think of longevity, your mind might automatically go to things like eating right, exercising and having healthy lifestyle habits. I know mine does! That’s why I have to remind myself that longevity is more than just hitting the gym; it’s about catching problems early, before they become major health conditions.
So, today, I’m going to cover five signs that you may have a problem with inflammation. Chronic inflammation can be a sign of an underlying health condition or problem, and it can also take its toll on your body and age you before your time.
You’re tired all the time
Many health conditions linked to inflammation have constant fatigue as a sign. If you go to sleep but wake up feeling as if you haven’t slept or are just exhausted all the time during the day, it’s a sign something isn’t right.
You’re always having aches and pain
Stiffness, loss of joint function, pain and aches are signs of inflammation. These symptoms are your body trying to tell you that something is wrong.
You’ve gained weight for no reason
If you’re gaining weight for no real reason and it doesn’t seem like you can lose weight, you could have an underlying inflammatory condition.
You’re struggling with redness and itching
Itchy or red skin are classic inflammation signs. When your liver is inflamed, it can produce higher C-reactive protein levels, which are an inflammatory body marker. Both psoriasis and acne, for example, are examples of skin inflammatory conditions.
You’re having digestive issues
Your immune system is largely housed in your gut. When you have inflammation in the GI tract, you could struggle with diarrhea, constipation, bloating and other digestive problems.
As noted by John Hopkins, there is also a documented link between your gut and your brain, known as the “brain-gut connection” (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection). While research is still ongoing in this area, it’s believed your brain and gut communicate with each other, so it’s important to listen to what is being said, medically speaking.
If you have some or all of the signs of chronic inflammation above, it’s time to speak to your doctor about what you are experiencing. Taking care of the root cause of your inflammation now can help ensure you live a longer life in the future and that you are as healthy as you can possibly be while doing so.
