Chronic Inflammation: The New "Silent Killer"By Linsay Way, DC Inflammation is big business, evidenced by not only the laundry lists of medications patients bring me aimed at managing inflammation, but also the never-ending stream of advertisements for anti-inflammatory supplements that constantly find their way to my desk. With an aging population looking to live longer and function better in their later years, people are desperate for anything that might help them combat this mysterious enemy responsible for aching knees, degenerating joints, and even more serious conditions such as cancer and heart disease. This isn't just a concern for seniors; inflammation needs to be taken seriously no matter what your age or physical condition. In fact, though hypertension has traditionally been known as the "silent killer," chronic inflammation deserves that reputation as well. Unfortunately, whether by design or not, the pharmaceutical and supplement industries have made understanding inflammation incredibly confusing for the average consumer. Far too often this leads people to either get "locked on" to a minor part of the puzzle, thinking they're taking care of inflammation while ignoring the big picture; or simply give up on preventing inflammation and reach for their NSAIDs instead. Breaking Down Inflammation Inflammation is the body's emergency response to an injury caused by an infection, environmental toxin, trauma or biomechanical dysfunction. When an inflammation response is triggered, soft tissue releases chemical signaling proteins called cytokines. These chemical messengers cause dilation of local capillaries, increasing blood flow to the area (resulting in warmth and redness) and allowing leakage of blood plasma into surrounding tissues (resulting in swelling and the pain associated with increased pressure on nerve endings). Cytokines also make capillary endothelial cells "sticky," allowing white cells to rapidly move into the area and eliminate damaged tissue and invading pathogens. As the white blood cells work to clear out damaged tissue and/or foreign microorganisms, they release substances that cause additional pain and swelling. Acute inflammation is a normal and necessary part of the body's healing process. In fact, when it comes to exercise, increased cytokine activity is actually beneficial: Cytokines increase muscle glucose uptake during exercise and set off a series of events required for muscle-fiber growth and repair afterward. Short-term inflammation is normal; it only becomes a big deal when inflammation is long-term and systemic. Chronic inflammation can cause generalized joint and muscle pain, and the longer it goes on, the more likely it will lead to more serious health problems such as insulin resistance, DJD, heart disease, obesity, cancer and dementia, all of which are driven by chronic inflammation. Moving Beyond NSAIDs While anti-inflammatory drugs aren't inherently evil, they are vastly overused and can be dangerous if abused. It's one thing to pop a few Advil once in a while to relieve soreness, but constant use can lead to trouble. NSAIDs (such as Motrin, Naproxen and Advil) inhibit muscle protein synthesis, and chronic overuse can lead to breakdown of joint cartilage. NSAIDs also interfere with the COX-1 enzyme, an important enzyme for stomach health. On the other hand, while COX-2 inhibitors (Celebrex, Vioxx, Bextra) leave the COX-1 enzyme alone, they've also been found to quadruple the risk of heart attack compared to traditional NSAIDs. Simplifying Inflammation: Prevention Strategies
Ultimately, limiting chronic inflammation and preventing the health problems associated with it comes down to making sure you're maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet and chiropractic care. The health care industry may have made inflammation more confusing than it should be, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take action against the "silent killer" that is chronic inflammation. Linsay Way, DC, a 2010 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, practices at Wellness Way Chiropractic in Milwaukee, Wisc. (www.wellnesswaychiro.com). She is recognized for her work training and treating Milwaukee-area gymnasts. |