What is Chronic inflammation?

There are two types of inflammation. Acute inflammation is the swelling and redness around a wound that shows your body is fighting disease and healing itself. Chronic inflammation is internal, so cannot be seen. As we grow older internal inflammation increases, becomes out of balance, and leads to problems that are commonly associated with signs of aging, such as:

• Connective tissues health (collagen fibers)
• Skin health
• Joint health

• Bones
• Digestive system
• Circulatory system

What are the symptoms of chronic inflammation?
Many of the discomforts commonly attributed to aging may be caused by chronic inflammation. These may also be symptoms of more serious conditions, so you should discuss with your doctor if chronic inflammation may be the root cause, as opposed to simply treating the symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue
• Insomnia
• Bloating

• Headaches
• Joint pain
• General aches and pains

• And much more!

What can you do to manage chronic inflammation?
Poor sleep habits, inactivity, and poor diet all increase chronic inflammation. You already know what you should be doing to reduce chronic inflammation and lead a healthier, pain-free lifestyle. Let's get started:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a balanced diet plan including lots of vegetables and minimal or no sugar
• Get plenty of good quality sleep
• If you smoke, quit
• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise regularly, including cardio (walking), flexibility (stretching), and resistance (bodyweight or weight training) – try to do one or more every day

​Always consult your doctor before beginning any type of exercise, especially if you suffer from persistent or chronic back pain.

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​Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) now, and all the home health services available to you and your loved ones, before you have a health emergency. We are proud to be the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, so we know a thing or two about helping seniors.

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The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence.

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