Understanding Inflammation and Chronic Health Conditions
- alishabennett1212
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
How Your Body Heals – and What Happens When It Doesn’t
Inflammation is your body’s internal emergency response team. Whenever you scrape your knee, catch a cold, or even eat something your body doesn’t agree with, inflammation kicks in to defend, repair, and restore. But while this system is essential for healing, when it's not properly managed or resolved, it can become the hidden root of chronic disease and lingering symptoms.
Here we break down for provide understanding of the science around inflammation in simple terms. Highlight why it's both good and bad, and explain how everyday factors like sunlight, food, movement, trauma, and stress can either fuel healing or drive long-term chronic illness.
What Is Inflammation, Really?
Inflammation is how your immune system responds to damage or danger. Think of it as your body’s version of an alert system — it recognizes a problem and sends out immune cells to clean up, kill off invaders (like bacteria), and start the healing process.
There are two main phases:
Acute inflammation – This is short-term and helpful. It causes the classic signs: redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function.
Chronic inflammation – This occurs when the inflammation doesn’t shut off properly. It becomes a slow burn inside your body, leading to damage rather than healing.
Understanding the Science of Inflammation and Chronic Health
Step 1: Something Triggers an Inflammation Response
This could be:
An injury
Infection
Exposure to a toxin
Even gut damage or poor diet
Step 2: Your Inflammation Immune Army Arrives
Cells like macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells flood the area. They release chemical messengers (like IL-6 and TNF-α) that bring in more help and create inflammation. ***Remember, the inflammation here is to assist with issues such as infection or injury.***
Step 3: Classic Inflammation Signs Appear
Redness and heat from increased blood flow
Swelling from fluid leakage
Pain and stiffness from chemical irritation
Step 4: Resolution or Escalation
If everything works well, anti-inflammatory agents like M2 macrophages and T regulatory cells step in to cool things down and begin repair.
But if there’s no resolution, this turns into chronic inflammation — which becomes a source of fatigue, pain, brain fog, gut problems, and disease over time.
Why Resolution Fails: The Chronic Modern Lifestyle Trap
Inflammation isn’t just about infections. It’s deeply affected by daily choices and environmental exposures. Here’s how common lifestyle factors interfere with resolution:
Low sunlight: Less sun = lower vitamin D & lower infrared exposure = weakened immune regulation.
Poor nutrition: Ultra-processed foods increase pro-inflammatory markers; nutrient deficiencies block healing.
Lack of movement: Sedentary life reduces lymph flow and immune surveillance.
Chronic stress: Keeps the body in a “fight-or-flight” state, disrupting immune signals and preventing resolution.
Unresolved trauma: Triggers persistent low-grade inflammation through nervous system dysregulation.
These factors essentially confuse the body into thinking the threat never ended — so it keeps the inflammatory fire burning.
Chronic Inflammation & Health Conditions
Many modern diseases are now understood to be driven or worsened by chronic low-grade inflammation. These include:
Cardiovascular disease: Inflammation damages blood vessels and promotes plaque buildup, increasing heart attack and stroke risk.
Type 2 diabetes: Inflammatory cytokines interfere with insulin signaling, worsening blood sugar control.
Obesity: Fat tissue produces pro-inflammatory molecules, which fuel further weight gain and metabolic disruption.
Autoimmune disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto’s): The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues under chronic inflammatory influence.
Neurodegenerative diseases (like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s): Brain inflammation contributes to cell death and cognitive decline.
Digestive conditions (like IBS, IBD, leaky gut): Chronic gut inflammation damages the intestinal lining, leading to symptoms and systemic immune issues.
Depression and anxiety: Inflammatory markers are often elevated in people with mood disorders, pointing to a body-mind connection.
The common thread? Unresolved inflammation leads to long-term symptoms and organ dysfunction.
Key Takeaways
Inflammation is a vital healing response — when managed and resolved properly.
Chronic inflammation results from failure to shut off the immune response.
Genetics, diet, environment, and mental health all influence how well your body can resolve inflammation.
Symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and bloating may stem from chronic low-grade inflammation.
Actionable Tips for a More Anti-Inflammatory Life
Get daily sunlight (10–20 mins) for natural vitamin D — a key immune regulator.
Eat real, colorful foods rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and fiber (like salmon, berries, leafy greens).
Move every day — even walking helps circulation and immune balance.
Practice stress management: meditation, breathwork, or simply disconnecting from screens.
Prioritise sleep — poor sleep ramps up inflammation markers.
Address trauma with therapy, journaling, or somatic work — it has a biological impact.
Stay hydrated and limit alcohol — both affect detox and immune function.
Inflammation isn't the enemy — it’s a sign your body cares. But in a world full of stress, screens, and processed foods, the natural checks and balances can get lost. The key is not to completely suppress inflammation, but to support your body in resolving it. That’s how you go from surviving to thriving — with less pain, more energy, and long-term resilience.
I see many clients who have really aced many of the lifestyle intervention but are still really struggling. This is where I step in and fine tune with specific, nutritional and lifestyle advice. If you think your inflammation cycle may need some assistance, book in now.