Inflammation is sneaky in that we often aren’t directly aware that we’re dealing with it until we’ve left it too late.
Addressing these early symptoms could be the key in avoiding more advanced stages of imbalance, like arthritis, or even worse, cancer.
Here are 10 subtle signs you may be suffering from too much inflammation in your body:
1. You’re Tired All the Time
Feeling tired or simply run down all the time may indicate that you’re suffering from too much inflammation in the body. One review published in 2018 proposed that this may be due to “an imbalance in energy availability and energy expenditure” (3✓).
They go on to explain how low-grade inflammation triggers a metabolic switch from “energy-efficient oxidative phosphorylation to fast-acting, but less efficient, aerobic glycolytic energy production; increases reactive oxygen species; and reduces insulin sensitivity. These effects result in reduced glucose availability and, thereby, reduced cellular energy.”
2. You Have Aches and Pains
One possible sneaky cause of chronic aches and pains could be persistent, low-grade inflammation. As it persists, your body’s inflammatory response can eventually start damaging healthy cells, tissues, and organs.
As a result, our bodies ramp up the pain response. This can later manifest as conditions like arthritis or chronic back pain (4).
3. You Experience Excess Mucus Production
If you find yourself always needing to clear your throat or blow your nose, you might be suffering from too much inflammation.
Our mucous membranes produce thick phlegm when inflamed. They do so to help protect our epithelial cells, which line the respiratory system (5✓).
As a result, you might notice more coughing and sneezing than normal, having to swallow large globs of mucus consistently over the day or suffer from a never-ending runny nose.
4. You Have Skin Problems
If you notice that your skin breaks out on the regular, or you’re dealing with chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, your body could be over-inflamed.
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