What causes and helps inflammation?

Inflammation is everywhere in health news.

Could chronic inflammation be at the root of so many health issues such as:

• diabetes

• autoimmune conditions

• cancer

• inflammatory bowel conditions (IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)

• Long Covid

• mental health imbalances?

First, what is inflammation?

It is a natural defence mechanism, our own immune response to foreign stimuli such as virus or bacteria or trauma to the body with accidents.

We need it.

The problem is when it doesn’t switch off.

The response continues far longer than the stimulus is present, which is then called chronic. Any symptom that persists longer than 3 months.

How do we know we have inflammation?

Often there are signs of heat and swelling. With trauma to a bone or muscle, this is easy to see.

What happens if the inflammation is more internal, like in the bowels or an organ?

Signs of heat and swelling are still present, just more tricky to notice.

What is inflammation in Chinese Medicine?

From a Chinese medicine lens, signs and symptoms of internal heat can be:

• difficulty sleeping

• anxiety

• migraines

• skin issues (eczema, psoriasis, acne)

• cold sores

• constipation

• bad breath

• frustration or angry outbursts

• nightmares or vivid dreams

In Clinic…

It is important for us in the clinic is not only to reduce these symptoms of heat, but to find the cause of the heat, see where it’s coming from and rectify the source to prevent it from returning.

Even in Winter or the colder months this heat can persist, especially because we often move less, eat more and are in warmer environments.

A few tips

A few tips if you have any of these signs of heat. Especially in Winter.

Eat less heating foods and instead, eat more warming foods.
It’s subtle, but there is a difference.

Heating things - to avoid

These include chilli, chocolate, garlic, ginger powder, caffeine, sugar (all the usual suspects)

And stress. A very important source of persistent heat.

Warming things - to enjoy

These are more like root vegetables, cooked grains, fresh ginger, lamb, black pepper, spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves.

And laughter. Open conversations with friends and loved ones are very warming, especially to the heart

As always Chinese Herbal Medicines and Acupuncture treatments are wonderful not only for reducing the heat symptoms but working on the source issues.

See you in the clinic soon!