Understanding Inflammation: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Health

Problems occur if that process isn’t turned off and the inflammation becomes chronic or reaches a point where it damages organs and other parts of the body.

This is where inflammation gets its bad rap: Golubic says chronic inflammation has been associated with a wide range of serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, respiratory diseases and several autoimmune disorders.

Some people are more prone to harmful inflammation than others, including those with immune‑mediated inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Certain genetic factors can also contribute to problem-causing inflammation, Golubic notes.

7 ways to prevent inflammation

The good news is, there’s a lot you can do to prevent or minimize inflammation.

Since inflammation is often caused by viral and bacterial infections, Golubic says the first step is making sure you are up to date on your vaccinations. (Read: 8 Vaccines You Need After 50 — and 1 to Consider.)

Next, look at lifestyle factors, paying special attention to diet, exercise and sleep. In particular, Golubic suggests:

• Eating lots of plants. In addition to the standard fruits and vegetables, you can incorporate herbs such as thyme, rosemary, turmeric, ginger and garlic, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Avoiding or limiting your consumption of ultra-processed foods. A 2025 study published in Human Nutrition & Metabolism found that eating a lot of ultra-processed foods was associated with higher levels of inflammation markers. 
• Engaging in regular physical activity. This could include anything from walking to resistance training or yoga. According to Harvard Health Publishing, exercise may produce hormones that help keep inflammation in check.  
• Practicing meditation or other mindfulness techniques. According to the Cleveland Clinic, meditation lowers cortisol levels and reduces inflammation.
• Improving your sleep habits. Studies show that insufficient sleep can impair immune cells and contribute to inflammation. To counteract this risk, keep consistent sleep and wake times, avoid using electronic devices or screens late in the evening and spend time outdoors regularly, especially early in the morning and in the afternoon, if possible. Eating an early dinner rich in anti-inflammatory foods can also help.
• Socializing. Nurturing positive social connections can help minimize loneliness and, as a bonus, may help prevent inflammation. Golubic says interpersonal connections can trigger the production of oxytocin, which lowers the stress hormone cortisol and activates genes that fight inflammation while deactivating those that promote it.

Treating inflammation

Aspirin and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen can be very effective at treating inflammation. Nonpharmaceutical treatments — such as acupuncture, massage and herbal therapies — can also help.

Steroid hormones like prednisone, cortisone and hydrocortisone are often used to treat more severe inflammation-driven diseases.

Inflammation and aging

Inflammation can become a greater concern as we get older. Scientists have coined the term “inflammaging” to refer to the chronic, low-grade inflammation that occurs with aging, though Golubic points out that this inflammation may be attributed more to lifestyle and environmental factors than to aging itself.

Older people are also more susceptible to infections, which can trigger inflammation, Ayesha notes.

Many of the top chronic health conditions that affect older adults are linked to inflammation.

Talking to your doctor about inflammation

As a starting point for discussing concerns about inflammation with your doctor, Ayesha recommends asking about age-appropriate cancer screenings and vaccinations, as well as periodic lab tests. 

There are several blood tests that can indicate signs of inflammation, including the C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test, which measures inflammatory blood markers. However, these tests aren’t typically included in a routine medical exam. And while these tests may indicate signs of inflammation, they can’t determine whether it’s acute, such as inflammation caused by a cold or an injury, or chronic, which might be linked to a disease like diabetes or an autoimmune condition.

Also, be sure to tell your doctor about any nutritional and herbal supplements you may be taking, Golubic says, so your doctor can advise you as to whether they may be helping — or hindering — your efforts to manage inflammation.