What are some of the causes? There is medical evidence that some inflammation is rooted in the gut resulting from our diets, food sensitivities or allergies or an imbalance in the intestinal bacteria and fungi in our bodies.
Another cause is menopause in women and that is the focus of this article.
What exactly is inflammation? According to the Cleveland Clinic website, "Inflammation is a process by which the body's white blood cells and chemicals protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.
" It goes on to tell us that, in some diseases, something triggers the body's defense mechanism to respond when there really isn't anything to which to respond.
When this happens, it causes our own immune systems to damage our own tissue when there is no threat or reason to do so.
Inflammation is also the body's response to stress - lifestyle stress, diet stress, or environmental stress.
The inflammation that results when you get a cold, for example, is normal and part of the body's response to a viral or bacteria threat.
But, the constant, low-grade inflammation that seems to be present in epidemic proportions today is the most damaging kind because it destroys the balance in your body.
Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder tendonitis or bursitis, gout and polymyalgia rheumatica are some that result from this misdirection of inflammation.
Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer are some other diseases that are being linked to misdirected inflammation, too.
Additionally, there is some support to inflammation contributing to the signs of aging.
How does menopause cause inflammation? While we don't understand the connections, it is felt that fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone as women age has a definite role in producing inflammation in our bodies.
Apparently, when estrogen decreases, a corresponding rise in the cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 occurs.
This process changes the rate at which new bone is formed, which is a leading indicator of osteoporosis.
It is thought that prior to menopause the hormones have a calming effect on inflammation.
Because the hormones work at so many different levels in our systems, making it difficult to identify the entire process, it is well documented that symptoms of chronic inflammation do tend to increase during and after menopause.
Hormonal changes prior to and leading up to menopause, as we all know, tends to create weight gain.
There is substantial evidence that this weight gain, usually collecting around the middle of the body, creates extra fat cells that add to systemic inflammation by creating more cytokines and C reactive proteins.
This gives us more reason to take off the unwanted pounds as well as monitor our diets for things that will affect our digestive system as discussed in my previous article on chronic inflammation caused by foods.
So, ladies, those hormonal changes that cause those hot flashes and mood swings that you're experiencing are working at yet another level without your knowledge causing chronic inflammation that has already or will lead to more debilitating diseases.
Take control of your life, your diet and your body and change course - get involved in getting and staying healthy!