Seven Tips for Understanding Inflammation in the Body
Mar 07, 2025
Hi there! If you're anything like the incredible women I coach, you're juggling career goals, family responsibilities, and your own health—often putting yourself last on the list. But let’s talk about something that might be secretly sabotaging your energy, focus, and overall well-being: inflammation.
Inflammation isn’t just a buzzword; it plays a major role in chronic pain, fatigue, and even those frustrating brain fog moments. But don’t worry, I’ve got you! Let’s walk through seven key things you need to know about inflammation and how to start managing it naturally.
1. What Is Inflammation and What Does It Mean?
Think of inflammation as your body’s emergency response team. When you get injured or sick, inflammation jumps in to help heal and protect you. This is called acute inflammation—it’s short-term and beneficial. But when inflammation sticks around too long (chronic inflammation), it starts causing more harm than good. Over time, this can lead to arthritis, heart disease, and even autoimmune issues. The goal of healing? To calm down unnecessary inflammation and bring your body back into balance.
2. Know the Common Inflammation Causes
So, what’s fueling this chronic inflammation? Here are some common culprits:
- Diets high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats
- Chronic stress (yes, that mental load you’re carrying counts!)
- Exposure to environmental toxins
- Hidden infections or autoimmune conditions
- Sitting too much and moving too little
- Excess alcohol or smoking
You don’t have to change everything overnight, but small shifts—like reducing sugar or prioritizing stress relief—can make a world of difference.
3. Recognize Inflammation Symptoms
Inflammation shows up in all sorts of sneaky ways. Some common signs include:
- Persistent fatigue (even after a full night’s sleep)
- Pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Digestive issues like bloating, gas, and reflux
- Brain fog and trouble concentrating
- Skin issues (eczema, acne, or rashes)
If any of these sound familiar, your body might be trying to tell you something. And guess what? You have the power to listen and make changes.
4. Understand Inflammation in the Body
Chronic inflammation doesn’t just stay in one place—it spreads. It can affect your joints, brain, gut, and even your heart. Research shows that long-term inflammation plays a role in conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and chronic pain. The good news? Lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation and support your overall health in a big way.
5. Be Aware of Inflammation to the Liver
Your liver is like the body’s detox HQ, filtering out toxins and waste. But when it’s inflamed, it struggles to do its job. Common triggers? Excess sugar, processed foods, alcohol, and hidden toxins in your environment. The best way to support your liver is through an anti-inflammatory diet. Not all items listed on the common anti-inflammatory food list are best for you, the individual. There could be hidden food sensitivities you are not aware of which are actually fueling inflammation in your body. It’s important to determine the foods that work best for you and your body and make you feel energized and healthy.
6. Identify Inflammation of the Stomach
Gut health is EVERYTHING when it comes to inflammation. If you’re dealing with acid reflux, bloating, or frequent stomach pain, inflammation could be at play. Causes include stress, food sensitivities, overuse of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), and gut imbalances. Healing your gut with probiotics, fermented foods, and stress reduction can work wonders here.
7. Adopt a Holistic Approach to Inflammation Treatment
This is where it all comes together. Holistic inflammation treatment means looking at the big picture—your diet, mindset, movement, and daily habits. Here are some of my favorite natural strategies:
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods that are best for your body (consider berries, leafy greens, omega-3s, turmeric) - avoid foods that make you feel bloated, gassy, or uncomfortable
- Prioritize sleep (your body heals when you rest!)
- Move your body daily (even gentle stretching helps)
- Manage stress (meditation, journaling, deep breathing, prayer)
- Use natural supplements (curcumin, ginger, and magnesium are great options)
You don’t have to be at war with your body. Understanding inflammation is the first step toward reclaiming your energy, joy, and purpose. Small, consistent changes lead to big results over time. As a Chronic Pain Coach, I help ambitious women heal their inflammation, long-term. To never miss out on new updates, click here to subscribe to my weekly newsletter.
Until next time, believe in God-Sized Healing!
~Stephanie Scheffer, Chronic Pain Coach for Ambitious Women
