Understanding Your Inflammation Type: What It Means and What to Do
If you’re over 45 and feeling like your body is working against you - fatigue, joint pain, stubborn weight gain, or brain fog that just won’t lift - there’s a good chance that chronic inflammation is playing a role.
But did you know that inflammation doesn’t show up the same way in everyone?
There are actually different “types” of inflammation, and understanding yours is the first step to healing.
What Is Chronic Inflammation, Really?
Unlike acute inflammation (like a swollen ankle or sore throat), chronic inflammation is the kind that lingers in the background - silently draining your energy, damaging tissues, and keeping your body in a constant state of low-grade stress.
Many of the people I work with didn’t even realize their symptoms were connected… until we looked deeper.
That’s why I created a simple way to help you identify your inflammation type - so you can stop guessing and start healing.
The 4 Common Inflammation Types
These are the most common patterns I see in my practice - each with its own root cause and healing approach:
1. Stress-Based Inflammation
Signs: Anxiety, trouble sleeping, fatigue, blood sugar imbalances, belly fat
Root cause: Chronic stress, adrenal burnout, poor cortisol regulation
Support: Nervous system resets, gentle movement, adaptogens, blood sugar balance
2. Gut-Driven Inflammation
Signs: Bloating, gas, food sensitivities, IBS, autoimmune flares, brain fog
Root cause: Leaky gut, dysbiosis, poor digestion, long-term medication use
Support: Anti-inflammatory foods, gut-healing herbs, probiotics, removing trigger foods
3. Inflammation from Toxic Load
Signs: Headaches, skin issues, brain fog, hormone imbalances, sluggish metabolism
Root cause: Toxin buildup from processed food, skincare, environment, or chronic exposure
Support: Detox pathways (liver + lymph), cleaner living swaps, antioxidants
4. Silent Inflammation in the Joints
Signs: Morning stiffness, joint pain, arthritis symptoms, muscle aches
Root cause: Systemic inflammation, immune dysfunction, often worsened by diet or weather
Support: Joint-supportive nutrients, gentle movement, anti-inflammatory diet, stress reduction
Why Knowing Your Type Matters
So often we’re told to just “eat better” or “exercise more” - but if you don’t understand what’s triggering your inflammation, you might miss the very thing your body needs to heal.
Your inflammation type helps guide you toward the right foods, supplements, and daily habits - and away from the ones that might be making things worse.
What to Do Next
Here’s how to begin:
Step 1: Identify Your Type
Pay attention to your patterns. Which type sounds most like you? You may have elements of more than one - and that’s okay! Many of us do.
Step 2: Make One Gentle Shift
Pick one habit this week that supports your dominant type:
If you're feeling wired and tired → try a wind-down tea ritual before bed
If your gut is struggling → reduce processed foods and add in cooked veggies and fermented foods
If your joints ache → swap nightshades for gentler anti-inflammatory choices like leafy greens and root veggies
If you're overwhelmed by products and toxins → start replacing one item at a time with a cleaner version
Step 3: Get Support
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Whether you’re looking for a personalized wellness plan or just want to learn how to listen to your body more deeply, I’m here to help.
Final Thoughts
Your body is always speaking to you - sometimes through fatigue, sometimes through pain. Understanding your inflammation type isn’t about labeling yourself… it’s about unlocking your body’s natural ability to heal.
Start with compassion. Start where you are. And trust that healing is possible.
Ready to dig deeper?
My 1:1 coaching programs are designed to help you uncover the root of your inflammation and create a personalized plan that works with your life, not against it.
DM me "COACHING" on Instagram or click here to learn more.
