What Causes Inflammation? – Symptoms, Triggers & Natural Healing Strategies

What Causes Inflammation?

Introduction: Why Inflammation Needs a Root-Cause Approach

Chronic inflammation is a hidden driver behind some of today’s most common and serious health issues—including diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and even depression. At Patients Medical in New York City, we take an integrative approach to identify why your body is inflamed and help you heal naturally.

We don’t just manage inflammation—we help you eliminate its root causes, so your body can restore balance, resilience, and optimal health.

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is your body’s natural immune response to injury, infection, or toxins. Short-term inflammation (like swelling after a sprain) is healing. But chronic inflammation—when your immune system stays activated for weeks, months, or years—is harmful and linked to nearly every chronic illness.

Common Conditions Triggered by Inflammation:
  • Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline
  • PCOS and hormonal imbalance
  • Obesity and metabolic dysfunction

Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation

Many people are unaware they’re chronically inflamed. Warning signs include:

If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to explore what’s fueling your inflammation.

Root Causes: What’s Driving Your Inflammation?

In functional medicine, we investigate why your body is inflamed, not just where it hurts. Common culprits include:

  • Poor diet: High in sugar, processed foods, gluten, dairy, seed oils
  • Leaky gut: Intestinal permeability allows toxins into the bloodstream
  • Chronic infections: Viral (EBV), bacterial (H. pylori), mold exposure
  • Toxin overload: Heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, EMF exposure
  • Stress & cortisol imbalance: Raises systemic inflammation
  • Hormonal imbalances: Estrogen dominance, low testosterone, thyroid issues
  • Food sensitivities: Gluten, dairy, soy, and others provoke immune response
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction: Low cellular energy increases oxidative stress
https://www.patientsmedical.com/treatments/what-foods-cause-inflammation-treatment-in-nyc/ What Foods Cause Inflammation

Diagnostic Testing We Use

At Patients Medical, we use advanced labs to uncover what’s causing your inflammation:

Inflammatory markers: CRP, homocysteine, ESR

Gut testing: Zonulin (leaky gut), microbiome mapping, SIBO

Food sensitivity & allergy testing

Hormone panels (cortisol, thyroid, sex hormones)

Heavy metal and environmental toxin screening

Nutrient deficiencies (zinc, omega-3s, magnesium)

Genetic testing (MTHFR, detox pathways)

Insulin, glucose, and A1C levels (for metabolic inflammation)

Integrative Treatments for Chronic Inflammation

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Plans

We craft personalized food strategies that eliminate inflammatory triggers and nourish healing.

  • Gluten-free, dairy-free, anti-inflammatory diets
  • Mediterranean or Paleo-inspired protocols
  • Elimination diets for food sensitivities
  • Low-glycemic eating for insulin control
Nutritional Therapy

IV Nutrient Therapy

Targeted IVs restore depleted nutrients and support detox pathways.
Key ingredients may include:

  • Vitamin C
  • B-complex
  • Magnesium
  • Alpha-lipoic acid
  • Glutathione

Herbal & Nutraceutical Support

Our physicians guide supplementation based on your labs. Common support includes:

  • Curcumin (turmeric extract)
  • Omega-3 fish oil
  • Quercetin
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
  • Probiotics & digestive enzymes
Herbal & Nutraceutical Support
Gut Healing Protocols

Gut Healing Protocols

We address root inflammation with comprehensive gut repair programs to correct leaky gut, dysbiosis, and microbial imbalances.

Stress & Hormone Support

  • Meditation and breathwork
  • Acupuncture and adaptogenic herbs
  • Bioidentical hormone balancing (thyroid, estrogen, cortisol)
Detoxification

Detoxification Therapies

We assist in clearing heavy metals, mycotoxins, and endocrine disruptors through liver support, sauna, binders, and drainage therapies.

Real Case Study: How Healing Inflammation Reversed Disease

Patient: Arjun, 56
Arjun suffered from joint pain, high A1C, and constant fatigue. Labs showed elevated CRP, insulin resistance, and leaky gut.

We created a 12-week plan with:

  • Gut-healing diet and probiotics
  • High-dose IV Vitamin C and glutathione
  • Adaptogenic adrenal support
  • Berberine and omega-3 supplementation
  • Elimination of sugar, gluten, and dairy

Results:

  • CRP dropped by 80%
  • Joint pain resolved
  • A1C lowered from 6.5 to 5.6
  • Energy and mental clarity restored
Gut Healing Protocols

Anonymized Testimonials

Meet Our Doctors

Rashmi Gulati, MD

Medical Director of Patients Medical

Stuart Weg, MD

A holistic pain management physician

Dr. Emine Cosar, MD

Consult Dr. Emine Cosar, MD. For Gynecology

Frequently Asked Questions

 Yes. When you identify and remove the root causes—through diet, stress reduction, detox, and hormone balancing—your body can recover.

 Absolutely. Chronic inflammation is a key driver of insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalance.

 An anti-inflammatory, whole-food diet free of processed foods, gluten, dairy, and sugar works best—personalized to your sensitivities.

 Yes. It can impair metabolism, increase cortisol, and worsen insulin resistance—all of which contribute to weight gain.

 We strongly recommend it. Identifying what’s inflamed—your gut, hormones, immune system—guides precise treatment.

 Supplements help, but full recovery usually requires addressing food, stress, sleep, detox, and gut function.

Chronic inflammation can trigger or worsen autoimmune responses. We help modulate the immune system naturally.

 Yes. IVs are a core part of our inflammation protocol—especially Vitamin C, glutathione, and minerals.

We are an out-of-network provider but offer superbills for reimbursement. Some labs may be partially covered.

 Many patients feel better within 2–4 weeks, though full healing may take longer depending on the severity and complexity.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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