The Sneaky Signs of Chronic Inflammation (And How I Finally Found Relief)

Before I ever understood what was going on in my body, I was in constant pain.

I began being prescribed painkillers at the age of 11 for “chronic hip pain” (which eventually turned into 2 open hip surgeries before the age of 18). I was told by multiple orthopedic doctors that there was no cure and I would “just always hurt”.

To add to the joint pain, my gums were swollen and bleeding. My gut and digestive system was a mess, causing me to throw up almost daily.

My skin was a mess—itchy, inflamed, and breaking out in weird rashes I couldn’t explain. I had multiple skin biopsies done over the years for different blistering rashes, only to be told it was severe cases of atopic dermatitis… which HELLO… is just ‘inflammation of the skin’.

And then arguably worst of all, I was tired all the time. I wasn’t just exhausted—I felt like my body was turning against me. It was struggle to get out of bed in the morning, and I’d cry before I made it back in at night.

I knew there had to be another way. At only 20, I would NOT accept that my fate was life long pain.

What Is Inflammation (And Why You Actually Need It Sometimes)

Let’s start with the basics: inflammation isn’t always bad. In fact, it’s your body’s natural response to injury, infection, or stress. When you get a cut or catch a virus, your immune system sends out an army of white blood cells to protect you. This is called acute inflammation—and it’s a good thing.

Signs of acute inflammation include:

Redness
Swelling
Pain
Warmth
Loss of function (like not being able to move an injured joint)

This is your body’s way of healing. But when inflammation becomes chronic, things change—and not in a good way.

What Is Chronic Inflammation?

Chronic inflammation happens when your immune system gets stuck in the “on” position. Instead of helping you heal, it starts attacking healthy cells and tissues.

Chronic Inflammatory Diseases (known as CID’s) are an example of the havoc chronic inflammation can do to the body. Some examples of CIDs are:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Asthma
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Chronic fatigue syndrome

The scary part? You might not even realize you have it—until symptoms start stacking up.

10+ Unexpected Signs of Chronic Inflammation

Many people associate inflammation with joint pain or swelling, but chronic inflammation affects your entire body—from your brain to your gut to your skin.

Here are some of the most common and unexpected signs:

1. Severe Fatigue

That bone-deep tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest? It might not be just stress—it could be inflammation draining your energy at a cellular level.

2. Persistent Muscle Weakness or Joint Pain

Even without an obvious injury, chronic inflammation can wear down your muscles and joints, leaving you feeling stiff, sore, or achy all the time.

3. Gastrointestinal Issues

Frequent nausea, vomiting, bloating, or diarrhea can be linked to inflammation in your gut lining. (Been there. Threw up way too many meals over the years.)

4. Tingling Feet or Balance Problems

When inflammation targets your nerves, it can lead to neuropathy, causing numbness, tingling, or even coordination issues.

5. Insulin Resistance

Chronic inflammation messes with your body’s ability to process insulin. Over time, this can lead to pre-diabetes, weight gain, or even type 2 diabetes.

6. Skin Problems

Inflammation often shows up on your skin—rashes, eczema, acne, or sensitivity to products you used to tolerate.

7. Swollen or Bleeding Gums

Your mouth can be a mirror for what’s happening in your body. Inflamed gums aren’t just a dental issue—they can be a sign of full-body inflammation.

8. Mood Changes, Depression, or Anxiety

Yes, inflammation can affect your brain. Recent studies link chronic inflammation to mood disorders, brain fog, and even memory problems.

9. Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat

Your heart can’t function properly when under chronic stress. Elevated heart rate or palpitations can be a red flag.

10. Frequent Illnesses or Infections

If you’re catching every cold, flu, or bug that goes around, it may be a sign your immune system is too busy dealing with inflammation to fight off new threats.

11. Unintended Weight Changes

Gaining or losing weight without changing your routine? Chronic inflammation can disrupt your metabolism and hormone balance.

Blood Tests That Reveal Chronic Inflammation

Doctors often check for inflammation using blood markers like:

C-reactive protein (CRP)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Fibrinogen

If you’re showing symptoms, ask your doctor to run these tests. I wish I had known sooner that my chronic pain had a deeper cause.

You’re Not Alone (And You’re Not Imagining It)

One of the hardest parts about living with chronic inflammation is that it’s invisible—you look fine on the outside, but feel like you’re falling apart inside. If this sounds familiar, please know you’re not alone.

There are ways to reduce chronic inflammation naturally—through lifestyle, nutrition, hydration, and targeted healing protocols. But the first step is awareness.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I realize how many signs my body was giving me—long before I ever pinpointed what the problem was. My body had reached such turmoil, I ended up undergoing 7 months of intensive blood treatments, through a holistic doctor.

Your body is speaking to you—are you listening?