Inflammation – Symptoms, Causes, Natural Conditions

Inflammation – Symptoms, Causes, Natural Conditions

Introduction: Why Inflammation Needs a New Approach

Chronic inflammation is at the core of nearly every modern disease—from diabetes to heart conditions and autoimmune disorders. At Patients Medical in New York City, we go beyond conventional symptom management. Our integrative care approach combines functional medicine, nutrition, detox, and hormonal support to identify and treat the root causes of inflammation.
We treat the whole person—not just the symptom.

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism against injury or infection. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it can silently damage tissues, organs, and systems over time—leading to conditions like arthritis, heart disease, obesity, and even cancer.

There are two main types:

  • Acute Inflammation: Short-term, protective response to injury or infection
  • Chronic Inflammation: Long-term, often triggered by lifestyle, toxins, or immune dysfunction
What Is Inflammation?

Common Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation may not be obvious at first but contributes to a wide range of symptoms:

If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be time to test for underlying inflammation.

Root Causes: Why Do You Have Chronic Inflammation?

Functional medicine digs deep to uncover why your body is stuck in an inflammatory state. Common root causes include:

  • Poor diet: Sugar, processed foods, seed oils
  • Leaky gut: Allows toxins to enter bloodstream, triggering immune response
  • Chronic stress: Elevates cortisol, disrupts immune balance
  • Environmental toxins: Heavy metals, pesticides, mold
  • Hormonal imbalances: Estrogen, cortisol, thyroid dysfunction
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Hidden infections: Epstein-Barr, Lyme, Candida
Root Causes: Why Do You Have Chronic Inflammation?

Diagnostic Testing We Use

At Patients Medical, we use advanced diagnostics to assess your inflammation levels and pinpoint contributing factors:

CRP (C-reactive protein), ESR, homocysteine

Food sensitivity and allergy panels

Gut health and microbiome testing

Heavy metal and environmental toxin panels

Hormone panels (cortisol, estrogen, thyroid)

Mitochondrial function and oxidative stress markers

Autoimmune and immune function panels

Integrative Treatments for Chronic Inflammation

Nutritional Therapy

We create customized anti-inflammatory meal plans based on labs and lifestyle, often including:

  • Mediterranean, Paleo, or Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diets
  • Elimination diets to identify trigger foods
  • Plant-forward, antioxidant-rich plans
  • Intermittent fasting where appropriate
Nutritional Therapy

IV Vitamin Therapy

Nutrient infusions deliver cellular-level anti-inflammatory support. Key ingredients may include:

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

Herbal & Nutraceutical Support

Evidence-based supplements help reduce inflammation naturally. Common options include:

  • Curcumin (from turmeric)
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Resveratrol
  • Quercetin
  • Boswellia
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin D

All dosed and monitored by a functional medicine physician.

Herbal & Nutraceutical Support
Hormone Optimization (Bioidentical & Thyroid)

Stress Management

Since stress is a major inflammatory trigger, we offer:

  • Guided meditation and breathwork
  • Acupuncture
  • Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola)
  • Cortisol-balancing strategies

Hormone Balancing

Hormones directly influence inflammation. We treat imbalances using:

  • Bioidentical hormone therapy
  • Thyroid optimization
  • Adrenal restoration protocols
Weight Management

Weight Management

Fat cells release inflammatory chemicals. Our physician-supervised weight programs reduce inflammation at the root through:

  • Fat loss
  • Metabolic reset
  • Lifestyle changes

Real Case Study: Jason’s Journey to Healing

Jason, age 46, came to us struggling with brain fog, joint pain, and elevated CRP levels. His conventional labs were “normal,” but he knew something was wrong. Our testing revealed:

  • Leaky gut
  • High food sensitivities
  • Mold exposure
  • Subclinical hypothyroidism

We created a 3-month protocol including:

  • Gut repair plan
  • Mold detox protocol
  • Anti-inflammatory diet
  • Glutathione IVs
  • Low-dose thyroid support

By the end of the program, Jason’s CRP dropped from 12 to 2, his joint pain vanished, and he reported feeling 10 years younger.

Real Case Study: Jason’s Journey to Healing

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, in many cases. When we address root causes and support healing, inflammation can decrease significantly.

Sometimes. But many patients reduce or eliminate medications under physician supervision through holistic interventions.

 Whole, unprocessed foods like leafy greens, berries, olive oil, wild-caught fish, turmeric, and flaxseed are anti-inflammatory.

 Yes. Mold, metals, and chemicals can all provoke immune reactions and chronic inflammation.

 We run lab tests (like CRP, homocysteine, and food sensitivities) and evaluate symptoms to confirm.

 Yes. Chronic stress alters hormones and immune response, making inflammation worse.

Not primarily, but inflammation reduction often leads to weight loss as a side benefit.

 Yes. We work with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, and other autoimmune conditions.

 We are out-of-network, but we provide superbills for reimbursement. Lab tests may be partially covered.

Yes, we offer virtual consultations for patients across the U.S. and internationally.

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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