What Should Men Do When Acute Inflammation Becomes Chronic?

Key Points

• Acute inflammation—pain, swelling and redness—is your body's natural response to invaders, but sometimes it lingers.
• Chronic inflammation, which may manifest as constant fatigue or achiness, is linked to several health conditions, from type 2 diabetes to erectile dysfunction.
• Prevention is the best medicine, but a doctor can help if chronic inflammation has become a problem.

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Chronic inflammation in men is associated with several health conditions, from obesity to erectile dysfunction (ED). Persistent fatigue, aches and brain fog are all signs of this silent complication.

If your body's healing system has gone haywire and caused increased inflammation, you want to know how to cool that inflammatory response. What should you do when acute inflammation becomes chronic?

What's the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic.

Acute inflammation is the body's natural protective response to injury or infection, said Christopher S. Choi, M.D., a healthcare provider at Concierge Wellness Center in Las Vegas. Acute inflammation is normal and healthy. It means the immune system is responding to a threat.

While acute inflammation is immediate and short-lived, chronic inflammation creeps up over months or years. It can occur when acute inflammation lingers.

How do you know the difference between the two?

"Acute inflammation is the pain, swelling, redness and tenderness to touch that comes from badly spraining your ankle. Chronic inflammation is the pain and stiffness that is still there months later," said David Bilstrom, M.D., the director of the International Autoimmune Institute & Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine in Blackfoot, Idaho.

What causes chronic inflammation?

Increased inflammation throughout the body can develop in many ways.

"Acute inflammation can turn into chronic inflammation if the initial insult is not entirely resolved or if your immune system is not working correctly and the inflammation persists for a long time," Choi said.

Autoimmune disorders

There are more than 100 autoimmune disorders, but the common denominator is a rogue immune system. With an autoimmune disorder, the body's immune system starts attacking healthy tissues and organs because it mistakes them for an outside threat. This persistent activation of the immune system leads to increased inflammation.

Untreated acute inflammation

"Acute [inflammation], if untreated, can become chronic in nature, especially when a person builds tolerance to the symptoms, which could be pain and swelling," said Amy Lee, M.D., the chief medical officer of Lindora Clinic, with locations in Washington and California.

An infection or injury that does not fully heal can put the body's healing system—the immune response that activates white blood cells and causes acute inflammation—into overdrive.

When the source of acute inflammation is not addressed, the inflammation persists.

Toxin exposure

High or prolonged exposure to pollution or certain chemicals can lead to chronic inflammation, according to Cleveland Clinic. Common toxins include smoke, mold, asbestos, carbon monoxide, lead and mercury.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) occurs when the immune system has an extreme, exaggerated response to an acute problem such as infection or injury, according to a 2023 report. A fast heart rate, fast and shallow breathing, and unusually high or low body temperature are all signs of SIRS.

Sepsis, one example of SIRS, is a severe immune reaction to infection that can lead to septic shock, a life-threatening emergency.

Lifestyle factors

The following lifestyle factors could raise your risk of chronic inflammation, according to Cleveland Clinic:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption (more than one to two drinks per day, depending on gender)
• Chronic stress
• Lack of exercise or overexercise

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• Chronic Inflammation and Fertility Have an Inverse Relationship in Men: The body's response to illness, fever and infection can contribute to infertility.
• Reduce Inflammation, Inflame Arousal: Certain dietary and lifestyle changes can tame inflammation and improve your libido.
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How do I know if I have chronic inflammation?

You may recognize acute inflammation from symptoms such as pain, swelling, heat and redness.

The symptoms of chronic inflammation include the following:

• Lack of energy
• Widespread aches and pains
• Headaches
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Feeling mentally "fuzzy," depressed or anxious
• Unexplained weight or appetite changes

What health conditions are associated with chronic inflammation?

Some of the following health conditions are linked to chronic inflammation, according to Choi:

• Autoimmune disease (often rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and colitis, Lee said)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Cancer
• Obesity

How do you treat chronic inflammation?

Chronic inflammation wasn't built in a day, so treatment isn't likely to be quick and easy. Preventing and reducing chronic inflammation sometimes requires a multipronged approach.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. While these drugs often offer short-term inflammation reduction, they should not be used long-term. They do not address the source of chronic inflammation.

Corticosteroid shots

Steroid injections are anti-inflammatory medications delivered straight into the body with a syringe and needle. Corticosteroid shots treat painful inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and sciatica.

While steroid injections are often effective at reducing inflammation, they come with a risk of unpleasant side effects. Long-term corticosteroid use is associated with health conditions such as osteoporosis, cataracts and high blood pressure, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Like NSAIDs, steroid shots do not address the root of chronic inflammation.

Vitamin supplements or spices

Many vitamin supplements and spices include naturally anti-inflammatory components.

There is potential evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects in the following active components of spices, suggested a 2017 study in the Journal of Translational Medicine. Some of these spices are available in supplements:

• Curcumin, found in turmeric
• Cineole, found in basil, cardamom and sage
• Gingerol, found in ginger
• α-Pinene, found in eucalyptus and rosemary
• Diallyl sulfide, found in garlic
• Diosgenin, found in fenugreek
• Capsaicin, found in red pepper
• Eugenol, found in clove
• Cinnamaldehyde, found in cinnamon
• Thymoquinone, found in black cumin
• Piperine, found in black pepper

Dietary and lifestyle changes

Back to the basics, men. Diet and exercise play a key role in preventing and managing chronic inflammation. Try these:

• Eat more anti-inflammatory foods. No single superfood can cure chronic inflammation, but diets such as the Mediterranean diet that swap processed foods for anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and lean proteins, can go a long way toward taming an overactive inflammatory response.
• Choose fats wisely. Trans fats and saturated fats can increase inflammation, while omega-3 fats have an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Exercise. Daily movement can help fight chronic inflammation. One 20-minute moderate exercise session, such as brisk walking or cycling, can trigger an anti-inflammatory response, a 2017 study suggested.

Can chronic inflammation affect my libido?

Yes, inflammation affects your libido.

Chronic inflammation affects the whole body, physically and psychologically, Lee said. Men with inflammation triggered by diabetes could have damaged blood vessels that affect both libido and the physical ability to get an erection.

Inflammation can mess with your hormones, Choi said. An association between low testosterone (low-T) and inflammation was suggested by a 2018 study.

Can chronic inflammation cause weight gain?

Chronic inflammation and weight gain are often intertwined.

"Chronic inflammation can cause obesity," Bilstrom said. "This is one reason why people are unable to lose weight despite exercising regularly and eating less food."

Persistent inflammation in the body can mess with everything from a man's hunger signals to whether he has enough energy to engage in physical activity. Chronic inflammation's link to type 2 diabetes reflects how increased inflammation can lead to insulin resistance, a common cause of weight gain.

"Chronic inflammation … also tells the body that something wrong is happening, and the body can respond by not burning as many calories to conserve energy," Lee said.

When should I see a doctor about acute or chronic inflammation?

Anytime acute inflammation worsens instead of improves or you feel unwell for weeks, you should see a doctor.

Symptoms that warrant calling a healthcare provider, Choi said, include the following:

• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Swelling
• Muscle or joint pain

"I would recommend one to seek medical advice when there are prolonged symptoms of pain, swelling, redness or psychological impact with depression or anxiety, which could also be an indicator of something happening to the body," Lee said.

Chronic inflammation isn't just a feeling. A healthcare provider must diagnose it. Doctors can objectively measure inflammation with blood tests that look for biomarkers such as hsCRP (highly-sensitive c reactive protein) and ANA (antinuclear antibodies), Lee said.

The bottom line

Chronic inflammation is concerning because it can lead to several health conditions, from type 2 diabetes to erectile dysfunction. While some persistent inflammation can be reduced at home with dietary and lifestyle changes, consult with a healthcare provider to identify the root of the problem.

If you are experiencing chronic fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal issues, unexplained weight gain or brain fog, speak with your doctor.