Are you experiencing pain and don’t know why?
In a post for Rodale Wellness, Julia Westbrook suggests there may be more than meets the eye through research by Dr. Gary Kaplan.
Inflammation can cause chronic pain. This is because of cytokines, chemicals made by microglia in the human body. When the microglia are, as Westbrook describes, “stuck” they continue to make cytokines. This, in turn, causes inflammation. To fix the problem, exercise, meditation, sleep, and the use of turmeric or low-dose naltrexone are helpful.
Allergies too, tend to aggravate inflammation. Also tied to allergies, is diet, which can affect inflammatory responses. Consider a visit with your doctor to detect any unknown allergies.
If you aren’t getting enough sleep, then you may be experiencing inflammation and pain. Restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea may arise. To determine whether poor sleep is causing your pain, get a sleep evaluation.
Migraines can certainly cause pain too. Be sure to drink enough water and avoid bright lights and alcohol. These can irritate the nervous system. Natural anti-inflammatories that can help include adjusting your diet. Eat more chicken, fish, and rice, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.
Westbrook notes that many problems stem from the same sources. For instance, brain inflammation can cause depression and migraines. Furthermore, an imbalance in gut flora may be a source for weight issues and chronic pain.
Be aware of that the pain you are experiencing may arise from a deeper source. You may need to dig to get to the cause. For example, Lyme disease can be the actual cause for problems like arthritis or complex regional pain syndrome.
Finally, Westbrook advises alternative therapies like acupuncture, yoga, and meditation to alleviate pain.
Want to learn more about the link between chronic pain and inflammation? Read the full article here: “8 Reasons Your Pain Won’t Go Away.”
