Inflammation is a cause of pain and fatigue. There are simple things you can do at home to control inflammation in your body, which will help you recover, have more energy and live pain free. Inflammation is managed by our immune system to help heal, protect and detoxify our body. It does this very well but can become overwhelmed when under pressure of modern life. You are aware of inflammation in your body as swelling and redness after injury or trauma, joint and back pain, the discomfort of sinusitis, hay fever and allergies, the flu like symptoms of an infection, bloating of food intolerance and chronic pain of a long-term illness.

Our immune system evolved in a more natural environment and before modern times had only infection and injury as major causes of pain and illness. Today our immune system is combating a lot more, and chronic pain and fatigue are a result. Pain and fatigue are not the only outcomes of inflammation. Long term inflammation is related to joint degeneration, heart disease, cancer and depression.

Whatever the cause there is a lot you can do to relieve inflammation, pain and fatigue.

Diet

Inflammatory foods are consumed in abundance today, the common ones are sugar, processed foods, dairy, gluten, excess fatty grain fed meats and excess alcohol. These foods not only cause inflammation but suppress our immune system. They also contribute to bowel flora imbalance, which is a major source of inflammation in the body.

Lesser known inflammatory foods are lectin containing foods like tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, potatoes, legumes (lentils, beans, peanuts) and grains. Cooking can help break down lectins in these foods and make them easier to digest. Methods of food preparation that help reduce the inflammatory effect of these foods are boiling, soaking, fermenting, sprouting, peeling, deseeding and pressure cooking.

If you are suffering from debilitating pain and fatigue eliminate the above inflammatory foods, consume plenty of vegetables and rely on fish and eggs for protein. Once you start feeling better you may be able to reintroduce the lectin foods but prepare them appropriately and include low fat organic meat.

Stress

Existing in a perpetual state of stress and strain exhausts the body and causes increased nervous reactivity, adrenal fatigue and immune dysfunction. Good sleep, stress management, meditation, mindfulness, relax when eating, commune with nature, yoga and exercise are ways to relieve stress.

Inactivity

Commonly our bodies are under physical stress, either by not enough activity or activity that is aggravating to our muscles and joints. Life for many is sedentary with many hours of the day taken up sitting at a screen. Others who are more active suffer repetitive strain and injury due to too much of the wrong activity. When at the office take a break after two hours of sitting at a computer and walk around, do some stretches, use an adjustable Sit Stand Desk, incorporate a Swiss Ball and ergonomic practices, go for a walk during lunch time.

Toxicity

We are subject to toxicity from our environment and re-absorption of toxins from our bowel. By-products of industry, refinery processing, manufacture, motorised vehicles, modern farming practices are released into the environment. We absorb them from the air, our food and water and from contact and use of these products. These toxic chemicals plus toxic emissions from electrical and digital devices disturb nervous, hormonal and immune system function and cause oxidative stress and systemic inflammation.

Minimise exposure to emissions, this includes the plastic and petroleum products we use in our home like our beauty and cleaning products, furniture, flooring and paint. Filter your water and eat organic if possible. Reduce time in front of a screen. Increase time out-doors, in the sun and with nature.

Your body has a natural ability to heal given the right encouragement.

Four ways you can manage pain and fatigue:

1. Be more active
2. Nourish your body and microbiome (good bowel bacteria)
3. Purify your environment
4. Be at peace