Health Conditions A-Z Chronic Pain 7 Ways Inflammation Affects Your Body By Health Editorial Team Updated on March 27, 2020 Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on Pinterest Email this page You've probably heard your health-obsessed friends talk about avoiding foods that cause inflammation. You may even be well-informed about health conditions linked to inflammation. You might even depend on anti-inflammatory meds to help relieve pain caused by a variety of issues, from menstrual cramps to arthritis. But what exactly is the deal with inflammation? And what does it do to your body? For starters, inflammation is your body's natural defense against outside threats like stress, infection, or toxins. When your immune system detects any of these invaders, it fights back by triggering proteins that are meant to protect your cells and tissue. Doesn't sound like such a bad thing, right? In situations like this, it's totally not, and can act as a useful line of defense for your body. 15 Things You Need to Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis However, too much of a good thing can be bad. In some cases, the body can go overboard with inflammation, often referred to as chronic inflammation. When this happens, it puts you at risk of a number of health problems such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. But why exactly does the body get overzealous with inflammation? It can be caused by any number of factors, from an autoimmune disorder to diet choices to a bacterial infection. Watch this video to learn more how inflammation affects your body. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit