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Inflammation: The Basics
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Inflammation:

The Basics

Author: Maegan Wagner, BSN RN

Recently Dr. Breana Badger presented a short video introducing the complex topic of inflammation. It’s an important topic and deserves a bit more explanation. This first article will cover the basics: what inflammation is, how it affects the body, and how it relates to chiropractic care. Treatments and diet considerations will be covered in future articles.

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and illness. It occurs when the immune system releases various substances that dilate blood vessels to allow for more blood as well as hormones to flow to the injured or affected body part. The goal is to heal while protecting the body from infection.

Inflammation presents with the following symptoms:

·         Redness

·         Swelling

·         Pain/Stiffness

·         Warmth

·         Loss of function

A sprained ankle, pulled muscle, and even a simple splinter triggers the inflammatory process.

Keep in mind that signs of inflammation are the body’s way of doing its job to fight off infection, and that’s a good thing. However, play close attention to additional symptoms such as a fever, chills, or pus/odor from a wound, as this could be an infection and needs immediate attention.

When Inflammation Does Not Go Away

The symptoms and examples mentioned above describe acute inflammation, which subsides quickly within a few days.

If it persists and you do not recover from inflammation it is then considered Persistent Acute Inflammation. This can also lead to chronic inflammation.

There are certain factors that can increase your risk of chronic inflammation, developing over months-years:

·         Older age

·         Obesity

·         Unhealthy diet

·         Smoking

·         Stress

·         Poor sleep

·         Certain autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, etc.)

Signs of chronic inflammation can be fatigue, joint pain, frequent infections, skin problems, digestive issues and more.

What A Chiropractor Can Offer

Chiropractic adjustments align the spine, which relieves compression of the nerves; this allows the nervous system to function as it should. It also creates a physiological response, decreasing the production of certain proteins in the body (i.e. cytokines and neuropeptides) that can cause inflammation. Therefore, frequent chiropractic intervention can be very helpful in treating inflammatory issues.

Chiropractors are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to teaching about the basics of inflammation, as well as the prevention and management of it. But understanding is only half the battle. Lifestyle changes are important steps along the path to achieving better health and reducing pain, both of which are benefits to reducing inflammation. Chiropractic care is both an essential and easy lifestyle change to make.

Click here to contact Gindele Family Chiropractic for an appointment.

Inflammation:

Treatments

Author: Maegan Wagner, BSN RN

Welcome back! This second article will cover treatments for inflammation including at home, over the counter, prescribed and alternative therapies. While chiropractic medicine focuses on holistic treatments, it is necessary to educate on all forms of treatments to allow for oneself to make the most informed decision. As a reminder, always consult with a physician or pharmacist before taking a new medication or supplement.

Home Treatment of Inflammation

 When symptoms of acute inflammation due to injury are first observed (swelling, redness, pain), quick treatment with ice and rest is a no-brainer. P.R.I.C.E. is an acronym that stands for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If experiencing an acute injury, like a strain or a sprain, protect from further injury and rest (don’t push through the pain!), apply ice, a compression bandage if you have one available, and elevate the injured area to decrease swelling.

Exercise

One of the easiest and most affordable forms of inflammation prevention comes in the form of exercise. In an article published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, obesity is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation. The article suggests that high amounts of adipose tissue (fat) correlates with increased metabolic processes such as insulin resistance. This is bad news because studies have shown that insulin has an anti-inflammatory effect. Unlike genetics and age, body fat is something that can be controlled and exercise is one of the solutions.

It is also interesting to note that this article states that elderly people have a higher rate of inflammation without regard to disease status but that in general, the more physically active the person, the lower their inflammatory markers will be.

Medications

Most people likely have over the counter medications for acute inflammation in their medicine cabinets. These are called NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). They include Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve). Though often mistaken, Tylenol is not an NSAID. Tylenol (acetaminophen) treats pain but does not treat inflammation.

Corticosteroids are often prescribed by medical doctors to treat inflammation, whether due to acute injury or illness. Prednisone is a common oral tablet taken at a tapered frequency. Other corticosteroids may be given as injections for joint pain or other reasons and provide temporary relief.

Prescribed or over the counter creams and ointments can provide pain relief for arthritis as well as relief from inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.

Not A Cure

These medications are all short-term treatments. They are only going to treat the symptoms of inflammation and will not prevent ongoing inflammatory issues. Not to mention they can have side effects, especially if taken for long periods of time. Dr. Breana Badger also mentioned some of the most common herbal remedies and natural supplements you can take to help lower and fight systemic inflammation, which can help to reduce pain, protect your heart and lungs, and improve your energy and moods.

Natural Supplements

While there are many herbal remedies and supplements that help fight inflammation, this article will cover a few of the most common ones. It may take time and research to find what works best for you, and again, always consult with a physician before taking any new supplement.

Zinc- This supplement is popular right now due to its potential to decrease the risk of infection as well as combat inflammation. People with a zinc deficiency are more likely to have arthritis, suggesting there may be a link between zinc deficiency, inflammation and pain.

Green Tea - A favorite drink is an easy way to reduce inflammation, as studies suggest it may inhibit the production of certain inflammatory chemicals. Doctors suggest drinking 3-4 cups a day or taking 300-400mg of green tea extract daily. For those that are caffeine sensitive, skip this one.

Turmeric/ Curcumin - Curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric. Studies show it has the potential to increase wound healing and decrease the risk of cancer. *Higher doses may increase the risk of bleeding, especially for those that take a blood thinner or have a bleeding disorder.

Boswellia (Frankincense) - This gum resin produced from trees can reduce inflammation and pain. In fact, when taken in combination with other natural anti-inflammatories (like Turmeric or Curcumin), it can provide better relief than a NSAID.

Both Turmeric and Boswellia are available at Gindele Chiropractic. Contact us for assistance in determining which supplements are best for your inflammation.

Up next: Dietary changes are another important aspect of reducing inflammation. Choosing what foods to eat can help prevent inflammation and can also increase it. In order to cover dietary recommendations in depth this information will be featured in an upcoming article.

Inflammation:

Diet Considerations

Author: Maegan Wagner, BSN RN

Can A Poor Diet Cause Inflammation?

In this third and final article on inflammation the focus will be on diet. This topic deserves its own coverage for the simple reason of how important and overlooked it is. It’s no secret that foods high in sodium, saturated fat and sugar are not part of a healthy diet. Poor diet choices can increase inflammation, and while that may not sound as scary as diabetes or heart disease, systemic inflammation is the precursor to more serious diseases.

Foods That Cause Inflammation

No shocker here: these are the same foods people are warned to stay away from.

Antioxidants Are Anti-Inflammatory

The term “antioxidants” may feel like a bit of a buzz-word, but they are extremely healthy and beneficial. Foods high in antioxidants have an anti-inflammatory effect; they work by removing free radicals from the body. Free radicals cause cell damage, which leads to disease.

Foods high in antioxidants:

Other Anti-Inflammatory Foods

If easing inflammation can be as simple as swapping sugary cereal for oatmeal and berries, isn’t it worth a try? To make long-lasting habits try adding one anti-inflammatory food per week. Curb a crunchy snack craving by having carrot sticks instead of chips. Decrease red meat intake by choosing fish instead and cook it with a healthy fat. Prepare an antioxidant-rich lunch by having a spinach salad with berries and pecans. Another easy suggestion for creating a well-balanced meal is by eating a colorful plate. Green veggies, bright peppers, and tropical fruits ensure a variety of healthy, fresh foods. These are both common and easy ingredients to find and prepare. In fact, many of them can be eaten raw, which ensures they retain even more nutrients.

There Is No Magic Cure

Keep in mind that there is no single food that will cause or prevent inflammation, and diet alone is likely not a cure. Preventing and treating inflammation requires the proper alignment (pun intended) of many lifestyle changes. Consuming the right foods, partaking in physical activity, stress control, good sleep and of course, chiropractic adjustments and treatments are all facets of decreasing inflammation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For any further questions or recommendations please contact us at Gindele Family Chiropractic