Inflammatory Conditions Overview

Inflammation is an important part of the body’s defense system. For example, a simple cut causes inflammation that helps to ward off infection at the site of the wound. But inflammation that occurs without a good reason and continues over an extended period of time can result in unhealthy consequences.¹

Inflammatory conditions, also known as inflammatory diseases, affect many parts of the body.¹ Chronic inflammation develops slowly and lasts for months to years.¹ This type of inflammation can worsen some of the most common diseases in the U.S. and is linked to more than half of all deaths worlwide.^2,3

What are inflammatory conditions?

Inflammatory conditions are diseases in which excess inflammation plays a key role.¹ These conditions can affect different parts or systems in the body, including the:¹

• Digestive tract (digests food and nutrients)⁴
• Immune system (defends the body from infection)⁵
• Circulatory and respiratory systems (heart and lungs, which circulate blood and oxygen)^4,6
• Metabolic system (converts food into energy)^7,8
• Nervous system (coordinates brain and body)⁴

Some research suggests that inflammation may influence certain mental health conditions and cancers.²

Inflammatory conditions can begin in various ways, such as:

• An infection that the body struggles to clear³
• Exposure to an environmental irritant, such as a chemical³
• An autoimmune disorder, or a disease related to an overactive immune system⁹
• A problem with the cells that control inflammation³
• Short-lived but recurring inflammation³

How do inflammatory conditions affect the body?

Inflammation plays a role in diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, disease of the joints, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergies.³

In people with an inflammatory condition, blood work typically reveals the presence of high levels of certain cells, proteins, and enzymes that ar e critical parts of the immune response.^3,10 They may also have more immune cells in specific locations without a clear cause, or they may have small, organized clusters of immune cells, called granulomas.³

Some common symptoms associated with chronic inflammation and inflammatory conditions are:³

• Frequent infections
• Weight changes
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as acid reflux, diarrhea, or constipation
• Depression or anxiety
• Long-lasting fatigue
• Insomnia
• Body pain