Inflammation and Ageing Part 1
Inspired by recurring conversations in my clinical practice.
Most people understand acute inflammation—like swelling after an injury—but fewer are aware of the subtle, chronic inflammation that can quietly affect the gut, brain, bladder, and other organs, often without obvious or often with non-specific symptoms like fatigue, bloating, or brain fog
Why We Feel Stiffer, Slower, and More Tired Over Time
As we get older, it’s common to notice subtle shifts in how our bodies feel—stiff joints in the morning, more aches after activity, drier skin, longer recovery times, and a gradual decline in energy. While these changes may seem like an inevitable part of ageing, a key factor behind many of them is a process known as inflammaging.
Inflammaging is the term used to describe the low-grade, chronic inflammation that builds in the body over time. It’s not the kind of inflammation you get from a sprained ankle or a sore throat—those are examples of acute inflammation, a short-term, beneficial response that helps the body heal. Inflammaging, by contrast, is silent and persistent. It acts like a low-level internal “fire” that doesn’t shut off, gradually affecting tissues, organs, and energy systems.
What Happens to the Immune System as We Age?
Think of your immune system as an orchestra. When we’re young, it plays in tune—responding quickly to infections, clearing out damaged cells, and resolving inflammation when its job is done. As we age, however, that orchestration becomes less precise.
The immune system becomes less accurate, and sometimes begins to attack the body’s own tissues (a risk factor for autoimmune conditions).
It grows less efficient, making us slower to recover from infections, injuries, or surgery.
And most importantly, it becomes less able to switch off inflammation once it’s no longer needed.
This creates a background state of chronic low-level inflammation—not enough to cause fever or obvious symptoms, but enough to interfere with tissue repair, immune regulation, and overall vitality.