There are three reasons you should address chronic inflammation

“Inflammation” is quite the buzzword in the wellness world these days—but what, exactly is it, and how do you know if you have it?

“Inflammation” the immune system’s response To offending agents,” says Fred PescatoreMD natural health physician And New York Times Author who is best-selling and has worked with many clients. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson?, and Renée Zellweger.

He tells Best Life Inflammation can flare up “when your body is trying to fight off infection, recover from injury, or clear toxins.” Pescatore emphasizes that inflammation is not necessarily a bad thing. “Inflammation is necessary to heal the body, and the process can take a few days,” He points out.

It is when inflammation persists that it causes problems. “We call this chronic inflammation—when the body continues sending inflammatory cells even when there is no threat, leaving your body alert and filing a response erroneously aimed at the body’s own tissue,” Pescatore explains. “This can cause damage to tissues and organs, making you more susceptible to illness and discomfort. Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to various health problems ranging in severity, including fatigue, joint pain, diabetes, and skin and heart health. “ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Pescatore says that following an anti-inflammatory diet and taking certain supplements can help to reduce symptoms. Read on for four changes you can expect to feel when you begin to address chronic inflammation in the body—plus, how to ward off chronic inflammation for good.

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Pescatore states that chronic inflammation can lead to less swelling. Since inflammation is associated with swelling, this makes sense. But how does it happen?

“When inflammation happens, chemicals from your body’s white blood cells enter your blood or tissues to protect your body from invaders,” WebMD explains. “It can cause redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals cause fluid to leak into your tissues, resulting in swelling. This protective process may trigger nerves and cause pain.”

If you suffer from creaky knees, popping hips, and aching fingers, taking steps to resolve chronic inflammation may help, Pescatore says.

“Chronic inflammation in the joints can damage cartilage, bones, tendons (which attach muscle to bones), or ligaments (which hold joints together),” the experts at Harvard Health write. They note that inflammation can also irritate nerves and cause stiffness. “The joint damage may be progressive and irreversible,” they add.

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If you’ve ever had a pimple—and who hasn’t?—you know that inflamed skin is red, puffy, and sensitive. Chronic inflammation is a little different, because it’s not a response to a clogged, infected pore, but it can still keep your skin from looking its best.

Healthline lists dermatitis and psoriasis as common symptoms of chronic inflammation, and both of these can cause redness, itching, and dull skin. Pescatore says when you take measures to address inflammation, you can look forward to a brighter complexion.

“There are steps you can take to reduce inflammation in the body to help maintain the balance between the necessary immune response to heal and harmful chronic inflammation,” says Pescatore.

“Evaluate your stress, diet, and nutrition, as these are thought to play a role in chronic inflammation,” he recommends, adding that research shows incorporating foods like tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, blueberries, and salmon can help reduce inflammation. He also recommends taking a natural anti-inflammatory supplement “such as Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract, [which] can help fill any gaps in your diet.”

Other things you can do to reduce chronic inflammation include getting regular exercise and avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Harvard Health. Their experts add that your doctor may be able to give you a blood test that checks for tell-tale markers of the condition.