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.
Inflammation increases during stages 1 and 2 of sleep, as well as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, while levels of inflammation during slow wave sleep are comparable to levels of awakening hours (54).
Additionally, the body releases higher levels of melatonin and prolactin at night, both of which can cause an increase in inflammatory cytokines. A person's arthritis inflammation and pain may worsen if: they are already in pain when they go to bed.
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.
Possible Causes
The most common reasons for chronic inflammation include: Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, where your body attacks healthy tissue. Exposure to toxins, like pollution or industrial chemicals. Untreated acute inflammation, such as from an infection or injury.
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).
Experiencing pain regularly that is not attributable to an injury is an indicator of a lot of inflammation. If you notice pain at the end of your range of motion, you could have too much inflammation. It could also be a signal that you have developed arthritis.
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.
If you're sleeping better, your inflammation will also be reduced, and you'll find relief from this chronic swelling. To sleep better, help your body develop a consistent sleeping pattern by going to bed and getting up at the same time each night.
“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.”
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.
Why You're Achy in the Morning. During the night, your body releases anti-inflammatory chemicals to calm joint pain and stiffness. By morning, they're no longer able to fight the chemicals that cause inflammation, so you wake up with stiff, painful joints.
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.
Immune function is at its peak just before the activity of the day starts—early morning in humans and mid-afternoon for nocturnal creatures like mice—as demonstrated in a study performed by scientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Switzerland and the Ludwigs-Maximilians University (LMU) in Germany.
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.
Overall, preliminary evidence suggests anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and panic disorder, are associated with increased inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory foods
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards. nuts like almonds and walnuts. fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.
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.
Research suggests that coffee does not cause inflammation in most people—even if your norm is more than one or two caffeinated cups. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Coffee may have anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
Hydration Fights Inflammation
Hydration helps our bodies fight inflammation by flushing out toxins. Adequate water intake can also help keep our joints well lubricated and prevent gout attacks. Most of the water in our bodies is stored in connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, etc.)
Research shows that stress can cause inflammation in the body, leading to a number of chronic health conditions.