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
- References
- Inflammation. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/inflammation/index.cfm. Updated April 28, 2021. Accessed April 6, 2023.
- Furman D, Campisi J, Verdin E, et al. Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the lifespan. Nat Med. 2019;25(12):1822-1832.
- Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I. Chronic Inflammation. StatPearls. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/. Updated August 8, 2022. Accessed April 6, 2023.
- Organ systems. Merck Manual. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/fundamentals/the-human-body/organ-systems. Updated September 2022. Accessed May 24, 2023.
- What are the organs of the immune system? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279395/. Updated July 30, 2020. Accessed May 24, 2023.
- The heart. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart. Updated March 24, 2022. Accessed May 24, 2023.
- Metabolic disorders. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/metabolicdisorders.html. Updated August 23, 2016. Accessed May 24, 2023.
- Overview of the endocrine system. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/overview-endocrine-system. Updated March 13, 2023. Accessed May 24, 2023.
- Modulation of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases by gasdermins. Frontiers in Immunology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9199384/. Updated June 1, 2022. Accessed May 24, 2023.
- C-reactive protein test. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/c-reactive-protein-crp-test/. Updated September 28, 2022. Accessed April 6, 2023.
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