Are you getting enough sleep but constantly feeling tired? Are you gaining weight without changing your habits or regularly suffering from bloating? These inconveniences are often blamed on age. However, when they persist, they can sometimes reflect chronic inflammation, a silent phenomenon which is of increasing interest to doctors. Here are the signs that should alert you.
Unlike acute inflammation, which appears after an injury or infection and disappears once the problem is resolved, chronic inflammation is much more subtle. It sets in gradually and can persist for months or even years.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this state corresponds to a permanent, but low intensity, activation of the immune system. Over time, this “low-level” inflammation can promote the onset of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes or even certain inflammatory diseases.
What happens in the body when there is chronic inflammation?
During acute inflammation, the symptoms are easy to recognize: redness, heat, pain or swelling. It is a normal defense reaction of the body.
But, as the Cleveland Clinic explains, in the case of chronic inflammation, this immune response never completely shuts down. The immune system remains permanently mobilized, even in the absence of a real threat.
According to Mayo Clinic Press, this low-grade inflammation can go unnoticed for a long time. It manifests itself mainly through non-specific symptoms, often attributed to stress, lack of sleep or aging.
The 7 symptoms that can suggest chronic inflammation
1. Fatigue that never goes away
Do you sleep between 7 and 8 hours a night, but still feel exhausted? Persistent fatigue, without an obvious explanation, is one of the most commonly reported symptoms.
2. Weight gain, especially around the stomach
You haven’t changed your diet, yet your waistline is increasing? This accumulation of abdominal fat can be favored by a diet rich in ultra-processed products and fast sugars, known to maintain inflammation.
3. Brain fog
Difficulty concentrating, less efficient memory, feeling of having confused ideas… What specialists call
brain fog is regularly associated with a chronic inflammatory state.
4. Repeated digestive disorders
Bloating, abdominal pain, irregular transit or digestive discomfort can also be part of the picture. In some people, certain foods such as alcohol, lactose or gluten seem to accentuate these symptoms.
5. More reactive skin
Eczema, psoriasis or other skin inflammations can sometimes reflect more general inflammation in the body. The skin is often a true mirror of our state of health.
6. Persistent joint pain
Sore joints when you wake up, a feeling of stiffness or pain that moves from one joint to another are also worth taking seriously, especially when they last for several weeks.
7. A more unstable mood
Irritability, anxiety, low morale or mood swings could also be linked to inflammation. Several studies suggest that inflammatory molecules can influence the functioning of certain neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation.
When should you consult?
Taken in isolation, none of these symptoms indicates chronic inflammation.
On the other hand, if several of them become permanent, it is recommended to talk to your doctor. These signs require first eliminating other possible causes.
The healthcare professional may in particular prescribe a blood test including the measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) and sedimentation rate (ESR), two markers frequently used to detect inflammation. They make it possible to detect an inflammatory reaction, without identifying the cause alone.
At the same time, several lifestyle habits can help reduce chronic inflammation: practicing regular physical activity, favoring a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega-3s, better managing stress and improving the quality of sleep.