Surely, inflammation is half a billion years old, since even the lowly starfish may experience it. Virtually every human being who ever lived has suffered from it, perhaps dozens or hundreds of times.

Inflammation helps your body heal, but if it lasts too long, it can cause health problems. A poor diet, stress, insufficient physical activity, and poor sleep can contribute to chronic inflammation.

Infections that do not go away or abnormal immune responses may cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to diseases like asthma, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Avoiding ...