Chronic inflammation refers to a persistent inflammatory response in the body that lasts for an extended period of time, often months or years. It is characterized by the presence of immune cells and the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, which can damage tissues and lead to various health problems.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
What are the health problems chronic inflammation might contribute to?
Here is a brief overview of the connection between chronic inflammation and these health problems:
1. Cardiovascular diseases: Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. This can lead to conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. (Libby, 2012)
2. Diabetes: Chronic inflammation can interfere with insulin signaling and contribute to insulin resistance, a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. (Hotamisligil, 2017)
3. Neurodegenerative diseases: Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Chronic inflammation can trigger and perpetuate neuroinflammation, leading to neuronal damage and cognitive decline. (Heneka et al., 2015; Subramaniam and Federoff, 2017).
4. Autoimmune diseases: Chronic inflammation can provoke an autoimmune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. This can lead to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. (Firestein, 2021; Tsokos, 2019)
5. Cancer: Prolonged inflammation creates a microenvironment that promotes the development and progression of cancer. It can induce DNA damage, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune suppression, all of which are hallmarks of cancer. (Grivennikov et al., 2010; Mantovani et al., 2008)
Who can get Chronic Inflammation?
The prevalence of chronic inflammation is significant. A study published in The Lancet in 2014 estimated that chronic diseases, many of which are associated with chronic inflammation, accounted for approximately 60% of all deaths worldwide. (Hunter et al., 2013)
People who work remotely may be susceptible to chronic inflammation due to various factors:
1. Sedentary lifestyle: Remote work often involves prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity, which is associated with increased inflammation and chronic diseases. (León-Latre et al., 2014; Peddie et al., 2018)
2. Psychological stress and social isolation: Remote workers may experience higher levels of stress and feelings of isolation, which can trigger chronic inflammation. Stress activates the immune system and promotes inflammatory responses. (Steptoe et al., 2007; Moieni et al., 2015)
3. Unhealthy behaviors: Remote work can lead to irregular working hours, poor sleep patterns, and unhealthy eating habits, all of which contribute to inflammation and negative health outcomes. (Hafner et al., 2017; Chaput et al., 2017)
4. Suboptimal ergonomics: Remote workers may have inadequate workstations, leading to improper posture, musculoskeletal strain, and inflammation-related pain. (Spielmann et al., 2019; Hoang et al., 2018)
What can be done to counter Chronic Inflammation?
These factors emphasize the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle practices, such as regular physical activity, stress management, balanced nutrition, and ergonomic considerations, to reduce the risk of chronic inflammation among remote workers. Nutrication offers a comprehensive meal plan that specifically targets inflammation. It can be found here.
How do I know if I have Chronic Inflammation?
A highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test is a blood test that measures the level of a protein called C-reactive protein (CRP) in the body. CRP is a marker of inflammation, which is a normal response to injury or infection, but chronic, low-grade inflammation has been linked to a number of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. An hs-CRP test measures a highly sensitive form of CRP, which can detect even low levels of inflammation.
By measuring hs-CRP levels, people who are digital nomads or work from home can identify if they have chronic inflammation, which can help them take proactive steps to manage their health and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases. You can find out information about getting an hs-CRP test here. A hs-CRP test is a useful tool for identifying chronic inflammation.
And if you have any questions about chronic inflammation or any health conditions that you may have, be sure to consult your health care provider.
References:
Chaput, J. P., Dutil, C., & Sampasa-Kanyinga, H. (2017). Sleeping hours: What is the ideal number and how does age impact this? Nature and Science of Sleep, 9, 311-320.
Firestein, G. S. (2021). Inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: cause or consequence? Rheumatology, 60(Supplement_3), iii57-iii61.
Grivennikov, S. I., Greten, F. R., & Karin, M. (2010). Immunity, inflammation, and cancer. Cell, 140(6), 883-899.
Hafner, M., Stepanek, M., Taylor, J., Troxel, W. M., & Van Stolk, C. (2017). Why sleep matters—the economic costs of insufficient sleep: A cross-country comparative analysis. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation.
Heneka, M. T., Carson, M. J., El Khoury, J., Landreth, G. E., Brosseron, F., Feinstein, D. L., ... & Kummer, M. P. (2015). Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. The Lancet Neurology, 14(4), 388-405.
Hoang, D., Recht, M. P., Schwartz, J. S., & Hargreaves, B. A. (2018). Ergonomics in the radiology reading room: an evidence-based approach. Radiographics, 38(6), 1843-1865.
Hotamisligil, G. S. (2017). Inflammation, metaflammation and immunometabolic disorders. Nature, 542(7640), 177-185.
Hunter, D. J., Reddy, K. S., & Noncommunicable Diseases, N. C. D. (2013). Inflammation and noncommunicable diseases: A review. The Lancet, 382(9895), 669-682.
León-Latre, M., Moreno-Franco, B., Andrés-Esteban, E. M., Ledesma, M., Laclaustra, M., & Alcalde, V. (2014). Sedentary lifestyle and its relation to cardiovascular risk factors, insulin resistance and inflammatory profile. Revista Española de Cardiología (English Edition), 67(5), 449-455.
Libby, P. (2012). Inflammation in atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 32(9), 2045-2051.
Mantovani, A., Allavena, P., Sica, A., & Balkwill, F. (2008). Cancer-related inflammation. Nature, 454(7203), 436-444.
Moieni, M., Irwin, M. R., Jevtic, I., Olmstead, R., Breen, E. C., & Eisenberger, N. I. (2015). Sex differences in depressive and socioemotional responses to an inflammatory challenge: implications for sex differences in depression. Neuropsychopharmacology, 40(7), 1709-1716.
Peddie, M. C., Bone, J. L., Rehrer, N. J., Skeaff, C. M., & Gray, A. R. (2018). Physical activity and sleep in adults: a systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(7), 656-667.
Spielmann, N., Wong, C. H. J., Bell, E. M., Fazackerley, R., McIver, S., Graves, N., ... & Straker, L. (2019). Are we reducing sedentary behaviour in the workplace? A systematic review of occupational sitting and standing interventions. Preventive Medicine, 123, 231-241.
Steptoe, A., Kivimäki, M., & Marmot, M. (2007). The metabolic syndrome and psychobiological responses to stress. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1113(1), 434-440.
Subramaniam, S. R., & Federoff, H. J. (2017). Targeting microglial activation states as a therapeutic avenue in Parkinson's disease. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, 176.
Tsokos, G. C. (2019). Systemic lupus erythematosus. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(22), 2192-2203.
