Is This Why You Feel Bad? 6 Issues Tied to Inflammation

The health issue: Brittle bones

What inflammation has to do with it: Those coping with inflammatory digestive disease, like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, are probably not absorbing all of the nutrients they need to maintain strong bones. But even if you're not dealing with a gastrointestinal issue, high inflammation can damage bones in a more straightforward way, too, according to a review published in the Journal of Endocrinology. Inflammation speeds up the rate at which bone tissue gets broken down and released into your bloodstream and decreases the formation of new bone tissue, meaning bone material is getting taken away without being replaced.

What you can do: If you're dealing with an inflammatory disease and are worried about your bones, talk to your doctor about medications to treat both the underlying inflammation and the bone issue. Incorporating more weight-bearing exercises (think jumping moves and resistance training) can also help your bones become stronger.