Inflammation in the body is caused by a variety of factors, including infection, injury, and exposure to harmful stimuli such as toxins or irritants. Acute inflammation is a protective immune response to fight infection or heal injuries. However, chronic inflammation, which can last for a long time, is often caused by persistent infections, autoimmune diseases where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, exposure to irritants like industrial chemicals, and lifestyle factors such as poor diet, smoking, obesity, stress, lack of exercise, and irregular sleep patterns. Aging also contributes to increased inflammation due to a decline in immune function over time. Chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
Causes of Inflammation
- Infections and Injuries: Acute inflammation is triggered when the body senses pathogens or tissue damage.
- Autoimmune Disorders: The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing chronic inflammation (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus).
- Persistent Irritants: Long-term exposure to irritants like silica dust or industrial chemicals.
- Lifestyle Factors: Poor diet (high in processed foods, trans fats, sugars), smoking, excessive alcohol, obesity, lack of physical activity, chronic stress, and poor sleep.
- Aging: Immune senescence leads to increased inflammation due to mitochondrial dysfunction and other age-related changes.
- Chronic Diseases: Conditions like diabetes and prolonged infections cause ongoing inflammation by keeping the immune system active.
Inflammation and Health Impact
While acute inflammation is beneficial for healing, chronic inflammation can silently damage healthy cells and tissues, increasing the risk of serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune conditions.
