Sleep deprivation is associated with markers of inflammation, such as increases in inflammatory molecules—including cytokines, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation that's elevated in people at risk for heart disease and diabetes), and others— among people who weren't sleeping well.
“This work emphasizes the importance of adults consistently sleeping seven to eight hours a day to help prevent inflammation and disease, especially for those with underlying medical conditions.”
Causes of an inflammation
Pathogens (germs) like bacteria, viruses or fungi. External injuries like scrapes or damage through foreign objects (for example a thorn in your finger) Effects of chemicals or radiation.
Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).
Thus, in humans, immune responses are stronger in the second half of the night and early morning hours. These are the times when inflammation is exacerbated and symptoms and mortality rates are highest (Buttgereit et al. 2015; Smolensky et al. 2015).
Inflammation starts within the first hour or two after injury, peaks within 1-3 days but lasts at least a couple of weeks. This phase is when you will experience swelling and some heat around your injury. This is entirely normal and a natural part of your body's tissue healing process.
Scientists have discovered that we wake up stiff and achy because our body's natural ibuprofen has not kicked in yet. As day darkens into night, the circadian clocks in joint tissue suppress inflammation and also the body's production of anti-inflammatory proteins, our natural pain-dampeners.
Recently, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found how just one session of moderate exercise can also act as an anti-inflammatory. The findings have encouraging implications for chronic diseases like arthritis, fibromyalgia and for more pervasive conditions, such as obesity.
When you're living with chronic inflammation, your body's inflammatory response can eventually start damaging healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Over time, this can lead to DNA damage, tissue death, and internal scarring. All of these are linked to the development of several diseases, including: cancer.
Napping can reduce inflammation in the body. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts found that young adults who napped had a lower amount of C-reactive protein (CRP), which marks levels of inflammation—but the study also found that too many naps and not getting enough sleep elevated the CRP.
Research shows that stress can cause inflammation in the body, leading to a number of chronic health conditions.
Chronic inflammation can contribute to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines. As the body gets flooded with these molecules during chronic inflammation, the cytokines actually begin to attack healthy joint and muscle tissue, resulting in pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness.
Overall, preliminary evidence suggests anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and panic disorder, are associated with increased inflammation.
Five cardinal signs characterize this response: pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.
Orange, tomato, pineapple and carrot juices are all high in the antioxidant, vitamin C, which can neutralize free radicals that lead to inflammation. Tart cherry juice has been shown to protect against gout flares and reduce OA symptoms.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as cod, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements.
Inflammation can become more noticeable at night when you are trying to sleep. If you are finding that falling asleep is difficult due to pain or you're waking throughout the night, it is worth considering how to improve your sleep situation.
Consuming eggs regularly can lead to an increased amount of swelling and joint pain. The yolks contain arachidonic acid, which helps trigger inflammation in the body. Eggs also contain saturated fat which can also induce joint pain.
In a study published in Cell, Mount Sinai researchers found that fasting reduces inflammation and improves chronic inflammatory diseases without affecting the immune system's response to acute infections.
Resting is one of the most effective ways to begin your healing process. By limiting your movement, you can reduce swelling by restricting unnecessary blood flow to your injured area and preventing your damaged cells from irritation.