How You Can Reduce Inflammation
By Sara Butler
Inflammation is usually thought of as something that happens when you injure yourself. For example, you twist your ankle and it becomes swollen, the inflammation helping to rush blood and nutrients to the area for healing. But there's another kind of inflammation that isn't so advantageous -- chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can be triggered by a host of things such as the foods you eat or lack of sleep. It can contribute to chronic illness, too, which is why it's so important to try to avoid. Here are a few of the ways you can help to fight back against chronic inflammation.
Do You Have Chronic Inflammation?
You may be asking yourself how you know if you have chronic inflammation or not. There are some signs you can be on the lookout for that are common, such as:
- Weight gain
- Memory issues
- Pain in your joints such as your knees and shoulders
- Headaches
- Chronic illness
- Unexplained fatigue
- Arthritis
Even if these symptoms are mild, it's still a good idea to have them examined by the chiropractor. They can take a look at your symptoms and help you to understand what may be contributing to them.
What You Can Do
To help prevent chronic inflammation, there are a variety of things you can do. Taking steps such as these can help to reduce chronic inflammation quickly:
- Assess your diet - If you eat a lot of sugar and highly-processed foods, then cut those from your diet. High-fat foods should be reduced, too. Focus instead on lean proteins, high fiber, and more plant-based foods.
- Drink plenty of water - Staying hydrated is essential to helping your body reduce chronic inflammation. Drinking enough water also helps to keep your joint properly lubricated and reduces joint pain, too.
- Exercise - Regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health as well as to combat chronic inflammation. Even if you don't start a workout routine right away, just getting more movement in your day can make a difference. You can do this by taking more frequent breaks from working during the day and walking around, taking a walk at lunch or after dinner, or making small choices such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Chronic inflammation is a real problem, so do what you can to avoid it. Talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic about your concerns today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.