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

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

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

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

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 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

Anonymized Testimonials

“I didn’t realize my joint pain and brain fog were inflammation-related. The testing revealed so much.”

“No more crash diets. Just healing the gut and eating clean dropped 15 pounds and lowered my inflammation.”

“I’ve battled Hashimoto’s for years. Patients Medical helped me finally feel normal again.”

“After mold exposure, I had constant fatigue and hives. Their detox plan changed everything.”

“My depression lifted once we treated inflammation and balanced my gut.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can inflammation be reversed naturally?

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

Is inflammation related to diabetes?

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

What diet is best to reduce inflammation?

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

Can inflammation cause weight gain?

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

Is testing necessary before starting treatment?

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

Are supplements alone enough?

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

What’s the link between inflammation and autoimmunity?

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

Does your program include IV therapy?

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

Will insurance cover this?

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

How soon will I see results?

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