In simple terms, inflammation is a necessary part of how your body protects and repairs itself after injury or infection. It’s a part of the healing process. However, certain lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors can create a kind of low-grade, body-wide inflammation that damages tissues over time, and increases the likelihood of various health problems. This chronic inflammation can lead to breakdown of immune health, and cause negative changes in tissues, organs, and cellular function.
Developing chronic inflammation can often be traced back decades, and its effects are now known to persist throughout the lifespan and affect how long and how healthy you live.
Inflammation is a buzzword in the wellness community, but understanding its role in chronic disease is crucial for everyone.
Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation
- Acute Inflammation: Short-term; symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and heat.
- Chronic Inflammation: Long-term; often goes unnoticed until it manifests as a disease.
Need help uncovering the source of chronic inflammation?—Contact a patient care coordinator now
Inflammation: The Root Cause Behind Chronic Disease
Chronic inflammatory diseases have been recognized as the most significant cause of death in the world today, with more than 50% of all deaths being due to inflammation-related diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and autoimmune or neurodegenerative conditions.
Inflammation also plays a role in many health problems, including:
- Arthritis
- ADHD
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Autism
- Crohn’s and Colitis
- Acne
- Lupus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Depression
Functional Testing to Identify Chronic Inflammation
To discover the root cause of your symptoms, your integrative medicine practitioner may recommend functional testing to identify chronic inflammation. Functional tests can help determine the underlying cause of chronic inflammation, such as food sensitivities, gut dysbiosis, or heavy metal toxicity.
These are some common functional tests used to assess inflammation:
- C-reactive protein (CRP): A marker of systemic inflammation; elevated levels indicate a higher risk of heart disease and other inflammatory conditions.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): Measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube; increased levels suggest systemic inflammation.
- Homocysteine: Elevated levels are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease; can be caused by inflammation and other factors.
- Food sensitivity testing: Identifies specific foods that trigger an inflammatory response in the body.
- Gut microbiome analysis: Looks at the types and levels of bacteria in the gut, which play a crucial role in overall health and immune function.
- Heavy metal toxicity tests: Measures levels of heavy metals in the body, which can contribute to chronic inflammation.
Schedule an appointment, or call (404) 814-9808 to learn more about testing for underlying signs of chronic inflammation.
Treating Chronic Inflammation with Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine takes a holistic approach to inflammation, addressing both the root causes and symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases. It combines the best of conventional and complementary therapies to create individualized treatment plans that focus on improving overall health rather than just treating symptoms.
Some key elements of an integrative medicine approach to inflammation include:
- Nutrition: A healthy diet is essential for reducing chronic inflammation. This includes avoiding processed foods, excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as incorporating anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy greens, fatty fish, and berries.
- Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation, and getting enough sleep can all help reduce chronic inflammation.
- Supplementation: Certain supplements have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, including omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, and ginger.
- Mind-body Techniques: Practices like acupuncture, massage therapy, and biofeedback can help reduce stress and promote relaxation to support the body’s natural healing processes.
- Addressing Underlying Conditions: Food sensitivities, gut dysbiosis, or hormonal imbalances may be underlying conditions contributing to chronic inflammation.
- Detoxification & Environmental Toxins: Avoiding exposure to environmental toxins and incorporating methods for detoxification, such as infrared sauna or targeted supplementation, can help reduce the burden of chronic inflammation in the body.
Schedule an appointment, or call (404) 814-9808 to speak with a patient care coordinator.
The Integrative Medicine Difference
At CentreSpringMD, we take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to identifying and controlling inflammation, combining the best of conventional and functional medicine to help you achieve lasting wellness. Here’s why our approach is superior for managing chronic inflammation:
Addresses the root cause: Instead of just treating symptoms, integrative medicine works to identify and address the underlying causes of chronic inflammation.
Personalized treatment plans: Integrative practitioners take a personalized approach, creating individualized treatment plans based on each person’s unique health history, lifestyle, and goals.
Holistic approach: By addressing all aspects of health, including nutrition, lifestyle habits, stress management, and more, integrative medicine supports the body’s natural healing processes for long-term results.
Emphasis on prevention: Rather than just treating existing conditions, integrative medicine focuses on preventing chronic diseases
Book an in-person appointment or virtual consultation now with CentreSpringMD to reduce inflammation and your risk of chronic disease.
CentreSpringMD is a leading integrative medical center in the Atlanta area. Patients have full access to a wide range of medically reviewed services for physical and mental health. Get the support and treatment you need for healthy blood pressure, cardiovascular health, chronic pain, depression, weight loss, and much more.
