Whether you suffer from acute or chronic inflammation, it can be a really frustrating condition that appears to have no real solution. Even when it seems like you’ve tried everything, there might be things that you haven’t tried yet! While it’s always important to treat the root cause of your inflammation under the care of your doctor, there are some things that you can do to directly treat the actual inflammation. So here are five different ways that you can help to reduce inflammation:
Medications
The first way that you can reduce inflammation is by taking medications. Some of these medications can be obtained over-the-counter while others will require a prescription from a doctor. There are two main types of medications that can help to treat inflammation:
· Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medications include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. They are commonly used to treat things like pain, fever, cold and flu symptoms, sinus issues, and even some allergy symptoms. They are available over-the-counter in low doses.
· Steroid medications: Steroids are another type of medication that treats inflammation but most types, like cortisone and prednisone, have to be obtained through a prescription. They have to be obtained through a prescription because they are stronger than NSAIDs and come in a variety of forms to treat different issues ranging from asthma to allergic reactions to skin conditions and arthritis.
Compresses
Another way that you can reduce inflammation is to use warm and cold compresses. Depending on the cause of your inflammation, this can be extremely effective if used correctly. Compresses are ideal for acute inflammation that is caused by injury or trauma. You can use cold compresses to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. You can use warm compresses to reduce muscle pain, muscle stiffness, and increase range of motion after an injury.
Manage Stress
One little-known way to reduce inflammation is to properly manage your stress levels. Dealing with chronic pain and inflammation can definitely add stress to your life but stressing about it can really make it worse. That’s why it’s important to find ways to deal with your stress in healthy ways. Things like therapy, meditation, yoga, or even a relaxing bath are all ways that you can deal with stress.
Diet
Diet plays a huge role in inflammation. Alongside supplements and medications, changing your diet can help to reduce inflammation. Here are some of the best things that you should eat as part of an anti-inflammatory diet:
· Fruits and vegetables like kale, spinach, cherries, raspberries, and blackberries
· Whole grains like whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, and brown rice
· Beans
· Nuts
· Fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, and sardines
What you eat is just as important as what you don’t eat. Here are potentially inflammatory foods to avoid:
· Sugars and sweets like cakes, cookies, and sodas
· Dairy products high in saturated fats like butter, whole milk, and cheese
· Fried foods
· Foods with high amounts of trans fats
Anti-Inflammatory Supplements
Finally, the last way that you can reduce inflammation is to take an anti-inflammatory supplement. Natural anti-inflammatory supplements are a great way to deal with annoying and painful inflammation without strong medications with negative side effects. The best anti-inflammatory supplements include things like CBD and turmeric that are perfectly healthy and safe for anyone to use.
If you’re wondering how to reduce inflammation, there are a variety of different things you can do that range from traditional medications to home remedies and even natural supplements. So if you are dealing with acute inflammation as a result of an injury or chronic inflammation due to arthritis, allergies, or autoimmune disorders, consider alternative ways to keep your inflammation under control and achieve a pain-free life.