Chronic illness and inflammation: Understanding the silent driver of modern disease

CHRONIC ILLNESSES remain one of the leading global health concerns, and at the centre of many of these conditions is a powerful but often overlooked biological force: inflammation. While inflammation is the body’s natural defence mechanism, problems arise when this response becomes persistent, triggering or worsening long-term diseases.

Medical professionals now refer to chronic inflammation as ‘the hidden fire’ behind many conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, obesity, and even certain cancers.

According to Dr Orlando Thomas, medical doctor and functional medicine practitioner at Thomas Medical and Shockwave Centre in Old Harbour, inflammation is essential for healing.

“When an injury or infection occurs, the immune system releases chemicals to fight harmful agents and begin repair. But when this process remains active for months or years, it becomes damaging. Acute inflammation saves lives; chronic inflammation steals them. The problem isn’t the body’s response. It is that the response does not turn off,” Dr Thomas said.

Globally, rates of inflammatory-related chronic diseases have surged over the past two decades. Sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, chronic stress, pollution, and inadequate sleep all contribute to long-term inflammation.

According to Dr Thomas, you can trace a surprising number of modern diseases back to chronic inflammation.

“When the inflammatory switch stays on, every organ system eventually feels the impact. This growing understanding has shifted the way physicians’ approach long-term illness, focusing more on root causes than symptom management alone,” he said.

Research shows that diet, physical activity, stress levels, and environmental exposures strongly influence the body’s inflammatory response.

“A diet high in sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats sends a continuous message to the body that something is wrong. On the other hand, eating whole foods, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and adequate protein literally cool the inflammatory fire,” Dr Thomas said.

Even small lifestyle changes, he said, can reduce inflammation markers in the blood within weeks.

Chronic stress is one of the most potent, but underestimated, drivers of inflammation. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, when elevated for long periods, disrupt sleep, increase blood pressure, raise blood sugar, and create the ideal environment for chronic disease.

“When a person is under stress for too long, the brain signals the body to stay in survival mode. The inflammatory chemicals that are supposed to protect you end up becoming the thing that harms you,” Dr Thomas said.

Sleep deprivation is now recognised as a major contributor to inflammatory illness. People who average less than six hours of sleep per night have been found to show significantly higher inflammatory markers.

“Good sleep acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Poor sleep acts like poison,” Dr Thomas said.

Chronic inflammation is central to autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. “This is a case where the fire alarm is stuck in the ‘on’ position. The immune system keeps sounding the alarm even when there’s no threat,” Dr Thomas said.

These conditions, he said, often require long-term medication, but lifestyle management dramatically improves quality of life.

Dr Thomas believes that understanding inflammation is key to reducing the burden of chronic disease in the next generation. “If we address inflammation early, we prevent illness later. It is that simple and that powerful,” he said.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES INCLUDE:

• Anti-inflammatory diets

• Regular physical activity

• Stress-reduction techniques

• Clean air and safe environments

• Adequate and consistent sleep

• Early screening for chronic disease

Chronic inflammation is one of the most influential, yet modifiable, drivers of long-term disease. With increased awareness and lifestyle changes, individuals can significantly reduce their risk and improve their overall well-being.

“Inflammation may be silent, but our choices speak loudly. Every day we can choose habits that calm the body rather than inflame it,” Dr Thomas said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com