Signs of Inflammation and Common Treatments

Signs of inflammation include pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function when the inflammation is acute (short-lived). Signs of chronic (long-term) inflammation can include fatigue, skin rashes, constipation, and weight gain.

Chronic inflammation caused by medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may be treated with medications that reduce the overactive immune response. Other strategies to reduce and prevent inflammation include eating anti-inflammatory foods, getting adequate sleep, and reducing stress.

Signs of Acute Inflammation

Signs of inflammation in the body vary depending on what is causing the inflammation, and whether the inflammation is acute or chronic.

Signs of acute inflammation tend to be very obvious and develop immediately. Five clear signs of acute inflammation include:

• Redness: Inflamed areas of the body may look red because the blood vessels of inflamed areas are wider than usual.
  
• Pain: Acute inflammatory chemicals in the body stimulate nerve endings, causing increased sensitivity. As a result, one might feel pain and tenderness in the affected area.
• Swelling: Swelling (edema) is common when a part of the body is inflamed. It is caused by fluid building up in tissues, either throughout the body or in the affected area. Swelling can cause pressure on the skin and other tissues, leading to pain.
  
• Warmth: When inflamed areas of the body feel warm, it is because there is more blood flow going to them. Whole-body inflammation may cause fevers due to the inflammatory response in the body when it is fighting off an infection or illness.
• Loss of function: Inflammation may cause loss of function related to both injury and illness. For example, an inflamed joint may not move properly, or a respiratory infection causing signs of inflammation in the lungs can make it hard to breathe. 

Acute inflammation is caused by numerous common conditions, from broken bones to viral infections. Once the acute condition resolves, the inflammation tends to resolve with it.

Signs of Chronic Inflammation

Signs of chronic inflammation are often subtle and tend to develop gradually. Some people may not experience any obvious symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Fatigue: Chronic inflammation can disrupt body processes that regulate energy. As a result, one might feel fatigued after performing even minor physical or mental tasks.
• Muscle aches: Inflammatory chemicals can irritate and damage muscle tissues, causing widespread discomfort and soreness.
• Joint pain or stiffness: Similarly, inflammation can irritate and damage various tissues in the joints, including cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Constipation: Chronic inflammation can affect gut motility, or the movement of food through the digestive system and out of the body, leading to difficulty passing stools.
• Diarrhea: Chronic inflammation can affect digestive processes, leading to diarrhea. This is particularly common in inflammatory bowel disease.
• Stomach acid: Acid reflux, esophagitis, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) have been linked to inflammation because when stomach acid leaks into the esophagus it can cause inflammation. However, some studies have even suggested that chronic inflammation may cause GERD.
• Weight changes: Inflammation can affect metabolism and how the body stores fat. Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to weight gain or weight loss.
• Headaches: People with chronic inflammation may experience recurrent headaches and migraines due to the effect of inflammation on blood vessels and nerves in the central nervous system.
• Skin rashes: Inflammatory processes can trigger skin irritation and rashes. Inflammation due to allergens, extreme temperatures, and even stress are known to trigger skin rashes.
• Mood changes: Some studies have suggested that mood changes are closely associated with inflammation and an increased immune response. Some study authors even suggest managing inflammation as a potential treatment for depression and fatigue.
• Fever: Having an elevated temperature or repeated episodes of fever may be an indication of inflammation or even an inflammatory disease.
• Balance problems: Both acute and chronic inflammation are linked to different conditions that can cause balance issues. For instance, inflammation in the inner ear (labyrinthitis) is known to cause vertigo and imbalance, especially in older adults. Multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory disease, can also cause problems with walking or balance.
• Back pain: Chronic inflammation from a condition called ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can cause pain in your back or in joints throughout the body. The condition commonly affects the sacroiliac joint (the area between the spine and hip bone), so lower back pain is often felt.
• Dry eyes or dry mouth: A chronic inflammatory condition called Sjögren’s syndrome can affect the salivary glands and the tear ducts, causing dry eyes or dry mouth.

Chronic inflammation is usually persistent or comes and goes over time. Addressing the underlying condition may help reduce inflammation, but may not get rid of it completely.

How to Check Inflammation Levels

No single test can diagnose inflammation or the conditions that cause it. To check inflammation levels in your body, you will need to see a healthcare provider.

Your provider may use the following to determine the degree of inflammation in your body:

• Initial evaluation: Your provider will start by taking a complete medical history and doing a physical examination. You can also expect them to ask about your symptoms.
• Blood tests: Blood tests, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), can provide useful clues about inflammation levels but do not necessarily point to a single cause.
• Imaging: Imaging tests can help identify specific injuries or issues that may be causing inflammation. Common imaging techniques include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast, ultrasound, and positron emission tomography (PET).
  

Medical Treatments for Inflammation

For general inflammation, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, are commonly used for short-term pain and inflammation and are available over the counter. Prescription-strength NSAIDs may be prescribed for more severe conditions. However, they should be avoided by individuals with chronic kidney disease or those on blood thinners.
• Corticosteroids: This is a type of steroid commonly used to treat swelling and inflammation. Corticosteroids are available in pill form and as injections. These drugs are only prescribed for a short time because they can cause serious side effects.
• Topical medications: Topicals, including analgesics and steroids, can help with acute and chronic pain and inflammation of the skin and joints, without the side effects of oral treatments. They are also helpful for managing long-term inflammation when they contain an NSAID, such as diclofenac or ibuprofen.
• Antibiotics: If inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be necessary. The antibiotic used and the course of treatment will depend on the infection. 

In addition to treating joint pain and inflammation, medications for chronic inflammatory diseases can help prevent the disease from getting worse or at least help slow it down. Medications may include:

• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as Rheumatrex (methotrexate), Azulfidine (sulfasalazine), and Arava (leflunomide)
• Biologic drugs, such as Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Orencia (abatacept)
• Anti-malarial drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine
• Statins
• Diabetes medications

Many medications used to treat inflammatory diseases can cause side effects, so it is important to see your healthcare provider regularly while you’re on them.

Lifestyle Treatments for Inflammation

There are several changes to your lifestyle that you can make to prevent and reverse chronic inflammation, such as:

• Exercise: Get at least 20 minutes of moderate exercise per day to reduce and prevent inflammation. Aerobic exercises, such as cycling, swimming, and brisk walking, are especially beneficial, as these exercises increase the production of hormones that regulate inflammation.
• Relieve stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises. Such techniques have been shown to reduce low-grade inflammation caused by stress in adults.
• Quit smoking: Smoking triggers immense inflammation in the body. If you smoke, do whatever you can to quit. If you are having difficulty quitting on your own, reach out to a healthcare provider.
• Limit or avoid alcohol: Alcohol disrupts the gut microbiome, which can trigger acute inflammation and contribute to chronic inflammation. Avoid having more than one alcoholic drink per day.
• Sleep well: Poor sleep is known to contribute to chronic inflammation, while good sleep helps the body heal. Work on improving the duration and quality of your sleep to help reduce and prevent inflammation.
• Manage your weight: Excess body fat contains substances that promote inflammation in the body. It can also place added pressure on muscles, bones, and joints. Strive to maintain a weight that reduces inflammation and supports your overall health.
• Eat anti-inflammatory foods: Fill your diet with inflammation-fighting foods, especially tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, nuts, fatty fish like salmon, and berries.
• Focus on fiber: If there's one nutrient to focus on for reducing inflammation, it's fiber. Fiber feeds healthy bacteria in the gut, which then release substances into the body that lower inflammation. Opt for fibrous vegetables and whole grains to reap the most benefits.
• Try anti-inflammatory drinks: Green, black, and white teas have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Water, tea, coffee, milk, healthy smoothies, and red wine (in moderation) may also help fight inflammation.
• Avoid inflammatory foods and drinks: The most inflammatory foods include refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, fried foods, sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, red meat, processed meat, margarine, shortening, and lard. Avoid them as much as possible.
• Brush your teeth regularly: Oral health has a significant impact on overall body health. When bacteria sit on or between the teeth, it inflames the gums, leads to infection, and inflames other areas of the body. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice per day, and don't forget to floss.
• Consider supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the strongest natural anti-inflammatory substances. They are naturally found in fatty fish, but also available in supplement form. Other anti-inflammatory supplements to consider include curcumin, quercetin, green tea, and ginger. Always consult a healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your routine.

While lifestyle changes like these can be very helpful in preventing and reducing inflammation, pre-existing medical conditions may need to be addressed with medications.

Summary

Inflammation can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Signs of acute inflammation include pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Chronic inflammation can cause more subtle signs, including fatigue, weight changes, joint pain, gastrointestinal problems like constipation, and more.

You may not know for sure what's causing inflammation without seeing your provider. Once you know the underlying cause, you can take steps to manage it. Eating a diet full of anti-inflammatory foods, getting ample sleep, and practicing stress relief techniques can help reduce inflammation in your body.