There are many causes of weakened immune system, some of which are manageable, such as diet and stress levels, and some of which we cannot control, such as taking drugs such as chemotherapy.
What are the signs of weakening the immune system?" There are no magic pills to improve the immune system, and instead, reducing alcohol consumption, doing a lot of exercise, getting enough sleep, and healthy lifestyle choices such as avoiding smoking are the key to maintaining a healthy immune system," says Dr Abisula Olold.
"There are some obvious signs of weakened immunity." If the infection persists, if it takes longer to improve the infection, or if your wounds take longer to heal, you may have a weak immune system."
Signs and symptoms of a low or weak immune system include:
Persistent cold: It's normal to experience two to three times as many colds every year, but if you find you have frequent colds, it may be a sign that your immune system may need some support.
Recurrent infection: Individuals with weakened immune systems tend to develop pneumonia, bronchitis and meningitis, often among other infections.
Increased stress levels: According to the American Psychological Association, long-term stress and loneliness can have a negative impact on your immune system. This is because stress reduces lymphocytes levels, making it difficult for your body to fight infection. So if you tend to get sick after an exam or a big project at work, you might want to consider applying stress management in your daily routine.
Fatigue: Sure, everyone feels a little lazy from time to time, but if you find that you are struggling to stay awake, your immune system may be at risk. This is because sleep and the immune system have a "two-way relationship". A disease or viral infection can negatively affect your sleep while constant sleep can strengthen your immune system.
Digestive problems: Diarrhea, gas, bloating, cramping and even constipation may be a sign that your immune system is not functioning properly. When "good" gut bacteria run out, your immune system is damaged.
The good news is that your doctor can test your immune system through a series of blood tests.
"You can check your immune system by conducting blood tests that tell you if you have adequate levels of antibodies such as immunoglobulin, white blood cells, platelets and immune system cells," says Alex Royani, Ph.D. researcher in nutrition science education.
Common causes of weakened immune system include: What causes a weakened immune system?
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Malnutrition
- Medications such as chemotherapy or other cancer treatments
- Infections such as influenza and measles
- Autoimmune disorder
- HIV/AIDS
How do you treat weakened immune systems?
Although more research needs to be done, exercise, diet and stress have been shown to affect the immune system. For individuals suffering from HIV, improving the immune system is not so simple.
Depending on the cause of weakened immunity, a weakened immune system may be a permanent condition.
A balanced diet: Incorporating more fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich foods, prebiotics (garlic, onions, leeks, etc.) and probiotics (kefir, yogurt, kombucha tea, etc.) into your diet may help boost your immune system. If you have a weakened immune system, here are some things you can do to set up your immune system:
To make sure you are doing everything you can to boost your immune system, you should eat lots of citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, lemon), leafy greens (spinach, turnips, cabbage), red peppers, yogurt, and ginger.
"Besides fiber, prebiotics and probiotics, to support immune function, we also need adequate protein, fiber, omega-3 fats, vitamins D, C, B, A, E, K and minerals such as iron, calcium, selenium and zinc," says Royani.
Get enough sleep: When you're asleep, your body unleashes its therapeutic abilities, also known as protective cytokines. Protective cytokines are proteins released during sleep to help your body do two things: encourage sleep and fight infection. Sleep deprivation reduces the number of protective cytokines your body produces, making it difficult to fight infection.
Stress management: If it is not managed, stress can destroy your health. Stress can affect your body, mood and behavior.
Good personal hygiene practice: The best way to keep your immune system healthy is to start from the source: your body. By following good hygiene habits, you can stop the infection before you start. "Chronic and high levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline can be immunosuppressive, which means this can reduce infection control responses with increased inflammation in the body," says Royani.
Personal hygiene practices include washing your hands regularly (before preparing food, after using the toilet, etc.), covering your mouth when coughing, and keeping your wounds and scratches clean and dressing
Exercise regularly: In addition to keeping your bones strong and healthy, research shows that physical activity has the potential to expel bacteria from the lungs and airways (reducing the chances of a cold or flu) and reducing the chances of heart disease.
Source: Business Insider
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