PULSE Magazine | February 2019 Issue

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Inflammation is a vital part of the immune system. When harmful bacteria, viruses or foreign substances enter the body, the body's defense system kick into gear. Chemicals ramp up the body to fight, centralizing the damaged area with blood, fluid, and protein: creating swelling and heat setting the stage for healing. When our body’s powers of correction go wrong, however, they can work against us. Unlike the inflammation that follows a sudden infection or injury, the chronic kind produces a steady level of inflammation within the body that can contribute to the development of disease. It’s the result in part, of an over firing immune system. Low levels of inflammation can get triggered in the body even when there is no disease to fight or injury to heal, sometimes the system can not shut itself off. Arteries and organs then began to break down under the pressure, leading to other diseases, including but limited to cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Scientist don’t fully understand how the immune system becomes short-circuited, but they have long known that some disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, emerge after the immune system has gone haywire and attacked healthy tissue. Researchers have discovered that fat cells can trigger the release of a steady, low hum of cytokines that go after healthy nerves, organs, or tissue. As we gain weight. The release becomes prolific, affecting our body’s ability to use insulin, sometimes leading to type 2 diabetes. Additionally inflammation cells can have an effect elsewhere in the body, chronically infected and inflamed gums within the mouth can cause damage that leads to heart attack and stroke as well as contribute to congested heart failure. Researchers continue to find answers about how chronic inflammation leads to cancer. Inflammation cells produce free radicles that destroy genetic material, leading to mutations that cause cells to endlessly grow and divide. Inflammation is the behind-the-curtain invading factor in many diseases. What can we do to keep it at bay? Currently, there are no prescription drugs that specially target chronic inflammation. Finding a drug that both interrupts the immune cycle and maintain a healthy immune response is important for all of us because as we age inflammation increase within the body. Researchers point to simple lifestyle measures we can all do to help prevent, and or control chronic inflammation. It is recommended to drop the extra pounds you carry around your middle and avoiding high fat and sugar diets. Losing weight can have a profound effect on lowering inflammation. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fats, processed foods, and sugars. Exercising, causes an acute inflammation response in the short term, but an anti-inflammation one when we regularly get moving, is another strong step to take. In addition it is advised to get plenty of sleep, lower stress levels and seek out treatment for inflammation inducing culprits, such as gum disease. For the most part keeping inflammation in check comes down to common sense basics: eat healthy, exercise, obtain more rest, and stop smoking before chronic inflammation becomes rampant.

Data obtained from John Hopkins Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine at Brigham, and ASN.

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