For many of us, inflammation is all too familiar—it shows up as painful joint aches, lingering swelling, stiffness that slows movement or nights of restless sleep. What we often write off as “normal aging” may actually be something deeper—a persistent, low-grade immune response quietly affecting the body over time.
Inflammation is often described as the body’s defense against danger—a built-in system designed to protect and repair. But when that response lingers, it can become chronic and begin to work against us, affecting the heart, brain and other vital organs.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, inflammation plays a role in nearly every major illness—including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and depression.
Inflammation occurs when an area within the body becomes injured, infected or damaged, explains Dr. David Tran, who is affiliated with Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health - Internal and Family Medicine in St. Pete.
“Signs or symptoms of inflammation could include redness, swelling, heat over the area or pain,” he notes. “Inflammation is one of our body's main responses to promote healing so, in essence, it is intended to be good. It is a complex and intricate process that draws your fighter cells to the area to help fight infections and repair the damage.”
Tran explains that inflammation becomes harmful when the body’s immune system goes into chronic "overdrive." Essentially, the body gets stuck in a constant 'fight or flight' mode, diverting resources away from healing. In this state, the protective response never shuts off. Rather than repairing itself, it can begin to break down healthy tissue and contribute to long-term health problems.
While we often think of inflammation as a "lingering" fire, modern science suggests chronic issues occur when the body loses its biological off switch. In a healthy system, specific molecules tell the immune system to stop attacking and start the resolution phase. When this transition fails, the "fire" smolders indefinitely.
“You typically can see inflammation causing harm when it is prolonged by repetitive injury, infections or autoimmune conditions,” Tran explains. “Continued inflammation without any true healing effect may cause more damage.”
Left unchecked, this type of chronic inflammation can result in ongoing fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues and difficulty sleeping.
Increasingly, researchers are looking at the gut microbiome as a central control tower for this response. The bacteria in our digestive system produce metabolites that travel throughout the body, either fueling or calming the inflammatory fire.
Understanding your inflammation often starts with a conversation with a primary care physician. By discussing symptoms, lifestyle factors and medical history, the doctor can determine the best next steps for testing.
“We usually start with a thorough history to determine which organ may be affected, as this can help us tailor our workup,” Tran advises. “Typical tests can range from blood work to imaging to biopsies.”
The blood tests check for inflammation markers. Think of these markers as smoke detectors for your body—they signal when your immune system is overactive. Because these tests are non-specific, they can tell us there’s a fire, but not where it started or what sparked it. Elevated results could stem from something as minor as a cold, a recent injury or more persistent conditions. While standard tests like ESR show general activity, doctors are increasingly using high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) tests. These "high-definition" markers can catch low-level vascular inflammation that might otherwise go unnoticed, offering a clearer picture of heart health.
Your doctor will look at the results alongside your symptoms and may recommend additional blood work, imaging or a physical exam to find the source and determine the right course of action. If the cause isn’t immediately clear, testing may be repeated, since inflammation can be temporary and may resolve on its own.
However, when it persists over months or years it can signal a deeper, ongoing stress on the body, quietly affecting organs, tissues and overall health. Over time, it can also shape how we age—impacting how the body moves, recovers and functions. This slow, smoldering state is what scientists now call inflammaging, a blend of “inflammation” and “aging.”
“As we get older, inflammation can increase stress on the body,” Tran offers. “Take for example, arthritis, which is inflammation of the joints. It can cause pain and discomfort with mobility, which can affect quality of life.”
When it comes to managing inflammation, he emphasizes that there’s no single solution—successful approaches often combine short-term treatments with everyday lifestyle habits that support long-term health.
“For acute inflammation, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, is typically the first line of treatment to help with the pain and swelling. Bear in mind, however, that it may not be appropriate for all patients to take this class of medications, especially those with kidney problems or on certain medication, so it may be best to check with your PCP before proceeding,” Tran cautions. “Sometimes, if the inflammation is too overwhelming, your physician may prescribe steroids.”
Because these treatments are meant for brief use, day-to-day lifestyle choices remain the ultimate key to "cooling" the body.
“For patients who want to focus on a more preventative way to reduce inflammation, simple things such as adequate sleep, stress management, a regular exercise routine and eating a balanced diet can help,” he suggests.
While it’s familiar advice, integrating these habits is essential for long-term relief. Highly processed, fried or sugary foods can act as triggers, while whole foods—like vegetables, fruit and lean meats—can actually help keep inflammation in check. For those looking to dive deeper, the Cleveland Clinic offers a guide to anti-inflammatory eating including tips on which foods to favor and which to limit.
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms and visit health.clevelandclinic.org/anti-inflammatory-diet to learn more.
