Alternative Treatment For Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation refers to a long-lasting immune response resulting in inflammation (several months or even years), and is a common thread in disease and disorders. As an immune response, chronic inflammation can account for symptoms of swelling, pain, and illness (both mental and physical). Inflammation can be visible outside the body, as well as affecting the nerves, organs, and tissues inside the body. Inflammation can also create a disease state, leaving the immune system further compromised, and/or creating an autoimmune response where the body begins to attack itself.

TREATMENTS

Depending on the type and duration of inflammation, there are many over-the-counter and prescription anti-inflammatory medications available. While these medications can help alleviate some symptoms of inflammation (pain, swelling, and sickness), they can also have adverse side-effects to the organs in the body. There are also non-pharmacological approaches, for example; exercise, acupuncture, and diet.

REGULATING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Endorphins! Endorphins are the body’s natural analgesic, anti-inflammatory, mood enhancer, metabolic stabilizer, and have a known effect on regulating the immune system. Disease states can cause the body to be unable to create enough endorphins or perhaps none at all. This creates a cycle of inflammation and sickness.

DISEASE

Because inflammation can be an immune response in all disease states, studies are showing that by regulating the immune system with the body’s natural endorphins, patients can experience long-term success with decreasing inflammation, and other symptoms caused by their disease.  

LOW DOSE NALTREXONE

Low Dose Naltrexone or LDN, as it is commonly referred, works by kick-starting the body’s natural endorphin-creating centers, thereby enhancing the regulatory effect on the immune system and helping with inflammation. Patients using LDN have seen improvement for a variety of disease states.

IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you would like more information about LDN, please call or come in to our pharmacy. Our pharmacists are happy to consult with you about LDN, and we’ll even speak to your provider.