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Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, with more than 264 million people globally suffering from the disorder.

Although inflammation can be healthy when the body is responding to injury or infection, it actually can lead to varying degrees of depression when it lingers. Typically, inflammation acts in concert with the immune system: when a person is sick, she becomes tired and experiences cognitive impairments and loss of appetite, so inflammation and the immune system helps the person sleep and get rest, gathering strength and balancing the brain.

But when an illness lasts for an extended period, the inflammation triggers depression and other illnesses. Researchers studying the link have found higher levels of inflammation markers in people who are depressed than in those who aren’t.

Here are a few of the several kinds of depression:

 Major depressive disorder: This kind of depression is characterized by feelings of depression most days of the week. Other symptoms include loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, feeling of restlessness and agitation, unexplained weight loss or gain, difficulty making decisions, and thoughts of suicide.

 Persistent depressive disorder: This depression lasts two years or longer, also known as chronic depression. Symptoms include low self-esteem, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness.

 Psychotic depression: Psychotic depression is characterized by depression accompanied by hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia.

Although a great deal of emerging research has linked major depressive disorder and other chronic depressive conditions to inflammation, researchers know little about the role inflammation plays in acute depression.