The Fire Inside
The word “inflammation” traces back to the Latin for “set afire.” In some conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, you feel heat, pain, redness, and swelling.
But in other cases — like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes — it’s not so obvious. If you didn’t go looking for it with tests, you wouldn’t even know it’s there.
It’s Not Always Bad
Inflammation actually is good in the short run. It’s part of your immune system’s natural response to heal an injury or fight an infection.
It’s supposed to stop after that. But if it becomes a long-lasting habit in your body, that can be bad for you. Long-term, or “chronic,” inflammation is seen in many diseases and conditions.
Could It Lead to a Heart Attack?
Inflamed arteries are common among people with heart disease.
Some researchers think that when fats build up in the walls of the heart’s coronary arteries, the body fires back with inflammatory chemicals, since it sees this as an “injury” to the heart. That could trigger a blood clot that causes a heart attack or stroke.
Diabetes Connection
Inflammation and type 2 diabetes are linked. Doctors don’t know yet if it causes the disease.
Some experts say obesity triggers the inflammation, which makes it harder for the body to use insulin. That may be one reason why losing extra pounds and keeping them off is a key step to lower your chance of getting type 2 diabetes.
Tied to Alzheimer’s
Chronic brain inflammation is often seen in people with this type of dementia. Scientists don’t yet understand exactly how that works, but inflammation may play an active role in the disease.
Experts are studying whether anti-inflammatory medicine will curb Alzheimer’s. So far, the results are mixed.
It Can Hurt Your Gut
Chronic inflammation is tied to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which are types of inflammatory bowel disease …
