This is what you can do about it:

Chronic inflammation has become a very hot topic for good reason. It is a serious, systemic problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that inflammation adversely affects (worsens or causes) up to 85 percent of all chronic diseases. It has been referred to as the leading cause of death in the U.S. since it’s linked to so many diseases.

Still, many people don’t know what chronic inflammation is, what causes chronic inflammation, what it means for their health, how to detect it, and what to do about it. If you aren’t up on this health issue, now is a great time to start.

Acute inflammation is part of your body’s immune response to outside threats like stress, toxic chemicals, viruses, and bacteria. When the immune system senses such a danger, it activates targeted proteins to protect cells and tissues.

Normally inflammation is a good thing (a sore throat for example), since it indicates the body is healing itself. When the immune system overreacts and remains on constant alert, however, the inflammation can become chronic and turn against your body.

Many things can cause chronic inflammation. The most common are the food we eat, the liquids we drink, and our modern, stressed-out lifestyle. These areas are where we have the most control.