Serious conditions that may begin with inflammation include:

• Fibromyalgia
• Diabetes
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Alzheimer's
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune
• Cardiovascular
• Neurological
• Respiratory
• Cancer
• Gum Disease
• All types of pain
• Conditions ending with "itis" (suffix that means inflammation)

It has been well documented that inflammation has been well documented as playing a key role, often intensifying the symptoms and effects.

First things first: What is inflammation?

Inflammation is your immune system's response to damage. This damage can arise from trauma, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, stress, genetic abnormalities, metabolic disorders, and a host of other sources. Certain lifestyle conditions can also contribute to inflammation: poor diet, stress, being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking. Inflammation can cause redness, swelling, heat, pain and loss of function.

When you are injured, the inflammatory response immediately moves into action. White blood cells rush to the scene of the damage and begin to destroy the damaged cells, while sending out chemical signals that call for more help. That's when unstable molecules called free radicals are released. Free radicals, now considered key players in many diseases, start to attack the damaged area, destroying some healthy cells in the process. This new damage leads to yet another round of inflammation. And so the cycle of inflammation continues: called chronic inflammation. That is where the trouble really begins.

How inflammation affects your body over time

Though you may not see or even feel inflammation, it may be silently burning within your body right now. Over time, this collective damage can spell trouble for the immediate area of inflammation as well as your overall health.

Heart
Inflammation is believed to contribute to the formation of plaque in the blood vessels, as well as the formation of blood clots. When these blood clots break free into the blood, then can block blood flow to the brain and heart, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

Brain
Inflammation plays a role in Alzheimer's disease, yet scientists are still uncertain what that role is. However, one theory is that inflammation kicks into gear because of the plaques and tangles in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. In trying to solve the problem, inflammation just makes matters worse.

Joints
Long term inflammation of the joints can result in destroyed ligaments and tendons, damage to the joint cartilage and bone and even bone erosion. This leads to pain, deformity, and an inability to perform daily tasks, drastically affecting quality of life.

Mouth and Gums
Although dental researchers once thought bacterial infections caused gum disease, it is not thought that some of the more severe symptoms of gum disease are attributable to inflammation. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the national Institutes of Health, reports that inflammation can even break down bone and connective tissue that keep the teeth in place.

Emotional Health
Inflammation may even play a role in your emotions. Scientists at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign discovered that an enzyme secreted by the immune system caused inflammation-related, depression-like symptoms in mice. Because inflammation is linked with conditions often accompanied by depression, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, researchers expect that this study will provide insight into chronic inflammation's role in depression.

Cancer Cell Growth
Although researchers haven't discovered the exact mechanism of inflammation's role in cancer, they believe it encourages cancer growth. According to the American Cancer Society, inflammation creates just the right conditions for cancer cells to grow and multiply.

Reducing Inflammation

By making healthy lifestyle changes and modifications, you can help reduce inflammation in your body. And, it simultaneously improves your overall health.

1. If you smoke, quit.
2. Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing to help manage your stress load
3. Simply being overweight can increase inflammation. Start a sensible diet and exercise plan. It will help with inflammation and your overall sense of health and well being.
4. Exercise at least 30 minutes per day, 3 to 5 days per week.
5. Cut out unhealthy food choices, some of which can actually contribute to inflammation: trans fats, refined carbs, and processed foods.
6. Make anti-inflammatory foods a staple in your diet.
7. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush after every meal and floss daily.
8. Introduce Sonoran Bloom Nopalea into your daily regimen.