How to deal with unexpected symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases shows how CIDs can make your body overreact and attack itself, and what you and your doctor can do to alleviate the symptoms.
Lower Back Pain
Chronic inflammation typically attacks the spine. Sometimes, it hits your hips, neck, knees, or chest. You might have lower back pain and stiffness, especially in the morning. In serious cases, you could have loss of motion. What to do? Stay active with light activity, apply warm or ice packs for 15-20 mins, and use over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen for relief. You can also talk to your doctor if you notice any symptoms. Early treatment can help you manage your condition better.
Hardening of the Arteries
If you’re gaining body fat or take in foreign substances like cigarette smoke, your body will respond with inflammation. This can cause fatty plaque to build up on the inside walls of your arteries. Known as arteriosclerosis, it’s the main cause of heart attack and stroke. What to do? Quit smoking, adopt a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, exercise regularly, and manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes with medication. But remember that only your doctor can tell if you have hardening of the arteries.
Feeling Dizzy and off Balance
In multiple sclerosis, your immune system attacks your nerves, making it more difficult for nerve signals to get through. So when you walk, you feel dizzy or off balance. What to do? Immediately sit down or lie down to prevent falls and avoid moving your head suddenly. Also, dim your light to reduce stimulation and ensure you drink enough fluids
High Blood Sugar
Insulin resistance can lead to high blood sugar(hyperglycemia). That can damage your nerves and blood vessels. It could also lead to diabetes. You might have tingling feet, or you could be thirstier and more tired. What to do? Immediately drink water to help the kidneys flush excess glucose, take prescribed insulin, and exercise regularly. Also, your doctor can help you discover what’s going on.
Frail Muscle
Sometimes your immune system mistakenly attacks and inflames your muscles, breaking down muscle fibers, making them weaker. It normally begins slowly in your torso, shoulders, and hips. And in some instances, simple tasks like walking, bathing, and swallowing become difficult. What to do? Try progressive resistance training, eating adequate protein, and staying hydrated. Consult your doctor for physical therapy or medication.
Diarrhea
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has two main forms: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. And in these cases, your immune system overreacts to your colon and small intestine, causing diarrhea. What to do? Prioritise hydration by drinking water, soups, and electrolyte-rich fluids like sports drinks to replace lost fluids.
Persistent Fatigue
It’s one of the typical signs of long-term inflammation and a common sign of inflammatory diseases like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. What to do? For persistent tiredness, focus on improving your sleep hygiene, eating regular meals, staying hydrated, managing stress, and increasing your physical activity. However, talk to your doctor if you have a sudden drop in energy. It could be a sign of an underlying illness. It may be treatable, too.
Blood Clotting
Inflammation from trauma, surgery, or certain diseases can cause your blood to clot too much. This might cause swelling and could bring on more serious things like stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism. It is not always easy to spot blood clotting, and your doctor might take some time to figure out what’s causing it. What to do? Drugs called anticoagulants can help. Aside from drugs, stay physically active, stay hydrated, maintain a healthy weight, and quit smoking
Dry Eye
It’s a common symptom of inflammation. A condition called Sjogren’s syndrome affects your salivary glands and your tear glands. The symptoms are a gritty or burning sensation in your eyes, swelling in your salivary gland, and dryness in your nose and throat. What to do? Immediately use OTC artificial tears, apply warm compresses, and increase your water intake to 8 -10 glasses daily. In addition, your doctor can prescribe medication to help ease your symptoms and prevent serious complications like vision loss and dental problems.
Memory and Cognitive Loss
Your memory and ability to think are likely to be affected by chronic inflammation. Early study findings suggest that inflammation may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that cause dementia. This is especially true in older adults. What to do? Eating a healthy Mediterranean diet seems to ease inflammation and might keep your brain sharp for longer.
