Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRelated ConditionsSymptoms and SignsLong-Term EffectsTreatmentsSelf-CareDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Related Conditions
Symptoms and Signs
Long-Term Effects
Treatments
Self-Care
Diagnosis
Inflammationis the body’s natural defense against injury and infection.Chronic inflammationhappens when the body’s inflammatory response activates—sometimes even without injury or illness—and persists over months or years.When chronic inflammation persists, it can cause severe damage to the body, leading to long-term health problems such as heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, or diabetes.
This article discusses the signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation, its long-term effects on the body, and its associated conditions. It also covers what to do if you suspect you have chronic inflammation and treatments that may help.
Conditions Linked to Chronic Inflammation
Chronic, low-grade inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues, organs, and DNA. Over time, it can weaken yourimmune systemand lead to health problems, includingautoimmuneand inflammatory diseases.Many conditions are linked to chronic inflammation, including:
Acute vs. Chronic InflammationAcute inflammationis the body’s natural, short-term defense to injury infection. Chronic inflammation persists long after the threat (e.g., illness) has passed and can damage tissues and organs over time. Acute inflammation is beneficial, helping fight bacteria and viruses and promote healing, while chronic inflammation can be harmful and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation
Acute inflammationis the body’s natural, short-term defense to injury infection. Chronic inflammation persists long after the threat (e.g., illness) has passed and can damage tissues and organs over time. Acute inflammation is beneficial, helping fight bacteria and viruses and promote healing, while chronic inflammation can be harmful and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
Chronic Inflammation Symptoms and Signs
Chronic inflammation affects nearly every body tissue, process, and system, leading to various bodywide symptoms, which may initially seem mild or vague but worsen over time.
Signs andsymptoms of chronic inflammationinclude:
Describing Chronic Inflammation Sensation
Chronic inflammation is often subtle, and people may not recognize the signs and symptoms immediately, as they are often vague and nonspecific, meaning they can be associated with numerous conditions. With chronic inflammation, you might feel constant, low-level fatigue or be too tired to do much beyond your daily responsibilities.
Some people may experience a general feeling of being unwell (malaise) for no discernible reason or have occasional discomfort or pain, such as joint stiffness or low-back pain. Unexplained weight gain or loss is common with chronic inflammation, and some people may experience a fever or swollen lymph nodes.
Symptoms can worsen over time, and other symptoms may develop, such as skin problems (e.g., rashes), digestive troubles, memory problems, difficulty focusing, and mood changes.
Flare Characteristics
A flare is a period when chronic inflammation increases. The term “flare-up” is often used to describe when symptoms of an inflammatory or autoimmune disease worsen. Depending on the condition, several factors can trigger flares, including stress, infection, certain foods, injury, and weather changes. Flares can last for days or weeks and have a significant impact on your quality of life.
Some common characteristics of a flare include:
Long-Term Effects of Chronic Inflammation in Body
Once the immune system is activated, inflammatory cells release a constant flow of proteins called cytokines, which signal the immune system to release other inflammatory cells and substances into the bloodstream. A prolonged inflammatory response can cause the immune system to become “hyperactive,” creating a vicious cycle of inflammation.
When left unchecked over extended periods, chronic inflammation can take a profound toll on the body and may cause:
Treatments Intended to Improve Chronic Inflammation
Several medications help reduce inflammation. Treatments vary depending on the type of inflammatory condition you have and may include:
Self-Care, Habits, and Well-Being
Healthy lifestyle habits and self-care practices can help reduce chronic inflammation and lower your risk of chronic disease. These include:
Undiagnosed Chronic Inflammation: Where to Start
If you have symptoms of chronic inflammation, see a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and address your concerns. During your appointment, the healthcare provider will review your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and perform a physical examination. They may order blood tests or other diagnostic tests to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Be honest and forthcoming with the healthcare provider at your appointment. Your information will help them understand what’s causing your symptoms. The healthcare provider will want to discuss the following:
It may take some time to figure out what’s causing your symptoms, arrive at a diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan. A primary care provider (PCP) may refer you to a specialist, such as arheumatologistor agastroenterologistif your PCP suspects you have a condition that requires specialized knowledge and treatment.
Summary
Chronic inflammation can damage tissues, organs, and DNA over time, increasing the risk of many chronic diseases. Signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation include fatigue, joint pain and stiffness, muscle aches, skin rashes, digestive problems, depression, and unexplained weight changes.
See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of chronic inflammation. They can determine the cause and develop a treatment plan, including medications and lifestyle modifications, to reduce inflammation and improve your health and well-being.
23 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Inflammation.L Kiss A.Inflammation in focus: the beginning and the end.Pathol Oncol Res.2022 Jan 4;27:1610136. doi:10.3389/pore.2021.1610136Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget. 2017;9(6):7204-7218. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208Sorriento D, Iaccarino G.Inflammation and cardiovascular diseases: the most recent findings.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(16):3879. doi:10.3390/ijms20163879Greten FR, Grivennikov SI.Inflammation and cancer: triggers, mechanisms, and consequences.Immunity. 2019;51(1):27-41. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.06.025Tsalamandris S, Antonopoulos AS, Oikonomou E, et al.The role of inflammation in diabetes: current concepts and future perspectives.Eur Cardiol. 2019;14(1):50-59. doi:10.15420/ecr.2018.33.1Guo Q, Wang Y, Xu D, Nossent J, Pavlos NJ, Xu J.Rheumatoid arthritis: pathological mechanisms and modern pharmacologic therapies.Bone Res. 2018;6:15. doi:10.1038/s41413-018-0016-9Asthma & Allergy Network.When asthma is more than just asthma: type 2 inflammation.Khanna D, Khanna S, Khanna P, Kahar P, Patel BM.Obesity: a chronic low-grade inflammation and its markers.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22711. doi:10.7759/cureus.22711Endometriosis Foundation of America.What you need to know about adenomyosis.Lee CH, Giuliani F.The role of inflammation in depression and fatigue.Front Immunol. 2019;10:1696. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01696Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I.Chronic inflammation.In: StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Arthritis Foundation.What triggers an arthritis flare-up?McWilliams DF, Rahman S, James RJE, et al.Disease activity flares and pain flares in an early rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort; characteristics, antecedents and sequelae.American Cancer Society.Cytokines and their side effects.Ferrucci L, Fabbri E.Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018;15(9):505-522. doi:10.1038/s41569-018-0064-2Placha D, Jampilek J.Chronic inflammatory diseases, anti-inflammatory agents and their delivery nanosystems.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(1):64. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13010064Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing chronic diseases: what you can do now.Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, et al.Anti-inflammatory properties of diet: role in healthy aging.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):922. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080922Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.Martínez-García M, Hernández-Lemus E.Periodontal inflammation and systemic diseases: an overview.Front Physiol. 2021;12:709438. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.709438National Institute on Aging.What do I need to tell the doctor?
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Inflammation.L Kiss A.Inflammation in focus: the beginning and the end.Pathol Oncol Res.2022 Jan 4;27:1610136. doi:10.3389/pore.2021.1610136Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget. 2017;9(6):7204-7218. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208Sorriento D, Iaccarino G.Inflammation and cardiovascular diseases: the most recent findings.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(16):3879. doi:10.3390/ijms20163879Greten FR, Grivennikov SI.Inflammation and cancer: triggers, mechanisms, and consequences.Immunity. 2019;51(1):27-41. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.06.025Tsalamandris S, Antonopoulos AS, Oikonomou E, et al.The role of inflammation in diabetes: current concepts and future perspectives.Eur Cardiol. 2019;14(1):50-59. doi:10.15420/ecr.2018.33.1Guo Q, Wang Y, Xu D, Nossent J, Pavlos NJ, Xu J.Rheumatoid arthritis: pathological mechanisms and modern pharmacologic therapies.Bone Res. 2018;6:15. doi:10.1038/s41413-018-0016-9Asthma & Allergy Network.When asthma is more than just asthma: type 2 inflammation.Khanna D, Khanna S, Khanna P, Kahar P, Patel BM.Obesity: a chronic low-grade inflammation and its markers.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22711. doi:10.7759/cureus.22711Endometriosis Foundation of America.What you need to know about adenomyosis.Lee CH, Giuliani F.The role of inflammation in depression and fatigue.Front Immunol. 2019;10:1696. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01696Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I.Chronic inflammation.In: StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Arthritis Foundation.What triggers an arthritis flare-up?McWilliams DF, Rahman S, James RJE, et al.Disease activity flares and pain flares in an early rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort; characteristics, antecedents and sequelae.American Cancer Society.Cytokines and their side effects.Ferrucci L, Fabbri E.Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018;15(9):505-522. doi:10.1038/s41569-018-0064-2Placha D, Jampilek J.Chronic inflammatory diseases, anti-inflammatory agents and their delivery nanosystems.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(1):64. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13010064Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing chronic diseases: what you can do now.Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, et al.Anti-inflammatory properties of diet: role in healthy aging.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):922. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080922Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.Martínez-García M, Hernández-Lemus E.Periodontal inflammation and systemic diseases: an overview.Front Physiol. 2021;12:709438. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.709438National Institute on Aging.What do I need to tell the doctor?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Inflammation.L Kiss A.Inflammation in focus: the beginning and the end.Pathol Oncol Res.2022 Jan 4;27:1610136. doi:10.3389/pore.2021.1610136Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget. 2017;9(6):7204-7218. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208Sorriento D, Iaccarino G.Inflammation and cardiovascular diseases: the most recent findings.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(16):3879. doi:10.3390/ijms20163879Greten FR, Grivennikov SI.Inflammation and cancer: triggers, mechanisms, and consequences.Immunity. 2019;51(1):27-41. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.06.025Tsalamandris S, Antonopoulos AS, Oikonomou E, et al.The role of inflammation in diabetes: current concepts and future perspectives.Eur Cardiol. 2019;14(1):50-59. doi:10.15420/ecr.2018.33.1Guo Q, Wang Y, Xu D, Nossent J, Pavlos NJ, Xu J.Rheumatoid arthritis: pathological mechanisms and modern pharmacologic therapies.Bone Res. 2018;6:15. doi:10.1038/s41413-018-0016-9Asthma & Allergy Network.When asthma is more than just asthma: type 2 inflammation.Khanna D, Khanna S, Khanna P, Kahar P, Patel BM.Obesity: a chronic low-grade inflammation and its markers.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22711. doi:10.7759/cureus.22711Endometriosis Foundation of America.What you need to know about adenomyosis.Lee CH, Giuliani F.The role of inflammation in depression and fatigue.Front Immunol. 2019;10:1696. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01696Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I.Chronic inflammation.In: StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Arthritis Foundation.What triggers an arthritis flare-up?McWilliams DF, Rahman S, James RJE, et al.Disease activity flares and pain flares in an early rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort; characteristics, antecedents and sequelae.American Cancer Society.Cytokines and their side effects.Ferrucci L, Fabbri E.Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018;15(9):505-522. doi:10.1038/s41569-018-0064-2Placha D, Jampilek J.Chronic inflammatory diseases, anti-inflammatory agents and their delivery nanosystems.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(1):64. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13010064Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing chronic diseases: what you can do now.Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, et al.Anti-inflammatory properties of diet: role in healthy aging.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):922. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080922Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.Martínez-García M, Hernández-Lemus E.Periodontal inflammation and systemic diseases: an overview.Front Physiol. 2021;12:709438. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.709438National Institute on Aging.What do I need to tell the doctor?
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Inflammation.
L Kiss A.Inflammation in focus: the beginning and the end.Pathol Oncol Res.2022 Jan 4;27:1610136. doi:10.3389/pore.2021.1610136
Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, et al.Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.Oncotarget. 2017;9(6):7204-7218. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208
Sorriento D, Iaccarino G.Inflammation and cardiovascular diseases: the most recent findings.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(16):3879. doi:10.3390/ijms20163879
Greten FR, Grivennikov SI.Inflammation and cancer: triggers, mechanisms, and consequences.Immunity. 2019;51(1):27-41. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.06.025
Tsalamandris S, Antonopoulos AS, Oikonomou E, et al.The role of inflammation in diabetes: current concepts and future perspectives.Eur Cardiol. 2019;14(1):50-59. doi:10.15420/ecr.2018.33.1
Guo Q, Wang Y, Xu D, Nossent J, Pavlos NJ, Xu J.Rheumatoid arthritis: pathological mechanisms and modern pharmacologic therapies.Bone Res. 2018;6:15. doi:10.1038/s41413-018-0016-9
Asthma & Allergy Network.When asthma is more than just asthma: type 2 inflammation.
Khanna D, Khanna S, Khanna P, Kahar P, Patel BM.Obesity: a chronic low-grade inflammation and its markers.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22711. doi:10.7759/cureus.22711
Endometriosis Foundation of America.What you need to know about adenomyosis.
Lee CH, Giuliani F.The role of inflammation in depression and fatigue.Front Immunol. 2019;10:1696. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01696
Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I.Chronic inflammation.In: StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
Arthritis Foundation.What triggers an arthritis flare-up?
McWilliams DF, Rahman S, James RJE, et al.Disease activity flares and pain flares in an early rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort; characteristics, antecedents and sequelae.
American Cancer Society.Cytokines and their side effects.
Ferrucci L, Fabbri E.Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018;15(9):505-522. doi:10.1038/s41569-018-0064-2
Placha D, Jampilek J.Chronic inflammatory diseases, anti-inflammatory agents and their delivery nanosystems.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(1):64. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13010064
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing chronic diseases: what you can do now.
Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, et al.Anti-inflammatory properties of diet: role in healthy aging.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):922. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080922
Arthritis Foundation.Supplement and herb guide for arthritis symptoms.
Martínez-García M, Hernández-Lemus E.Periodontal inflammation and systemic diseases: an overview.Front Physiol. 2021;12:709438. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.709438
National Institute on Aging.What do I need to tell the doctor?
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