Of course, the problem of reducing the immune defense of the body today is quite serious. It affects both children and adult patients. Therefore, many readers are interested in questions about what the main symptoms of a weakened immune system look like. What are the reasons for this violation? Can you spot it yourself? What treatments does modern medicine offer? Are there folk remedies? This information will be useful to everyone.
Brief information about the human immune system
It's no secret that the immune system is a natural barrier that protects the human body from various infections from the external environment. This system is made up of many components, including the lymph nodes and blood vessels, as well as the spleen, bone marrow, and thymus. These organs closely interact with each other, providing protection from toxins, pathogens. Moreover, thanks to the immune system, the body recovers after illnesses, operations, injuries, etc.
It is worth noting that immunity affects the work of other systems and organs. For example, the immune system is closely related to the endocrine glands and can influence the hormonal background. That is why it is extremely important to notice the symptoms of a weakened immune system in time and take appropriate measures.
Weakened immunity: causes and types
In fact, the decrease in the body's immune defenses may be due to the influence of various factors of the external and internal environment. Moreover, the weakening of immunity can be both general and local. For example, stagnation of blood and fluid in the pelvis leads to a decrease in immune activity and increases the risk of developing infectious and inflammatory diseases of the organs in this area.
Decreased immunity may be related to lifestyle. In particular, malnutrition, hypovitaminosis, anemia, bad habits (including smoking, addiction to alcohol) lead to such a disorder. Risk groups include residents of regions with a high radiation background. In addition, disruption of the immune system can be caused by neurosis, lack of sleep, emotional overstrain, lack or, conversely, excess physical activity.
On the other hand, immunodeficiency can develop against the background of certain diseases. For example, risk factors include severe liver damage, blood disorders, infections, trauma,oncological diseases, disorders of the excretory system, helminthic invasions, chemotherapy, chronic inflammation, long-term use of antibiotics.
Weakened immunity in an adult: symptoms
The presence of such a state can cause many problems. Therefore, many readers are interested in questions about what the signs of a weakened immune system look like in adults. In fact, it is not so difficult to notice such violations - the problem is that many people simply do not pay attention to them.
First of all, it is worth noting an increased tendency to colds, which appear even from the slightest hypothermia. In addition, patients with a similar diagnosis complain of increased fatigue, decreased performance, constant drowsiness, bad mood, irritability, apathy, depression.
Decrease in immune defense, of course, affects the condition of the skin, nails and hair - they become weak, dry and brittle. It is not uncommon for patients to notice dark circles or bags under the eyes. It is also believed that people with impaired immunity are more prone to allergic diseases.
Why is the child's immunity weakened?
Quite often, when examining pediatricians, they come to the conclusion that the child's immune system is weakened. Why is this disorder so much more commonly diagnosed in children? The fact is that in the first years of life, the baby's immune system is only developing. That is why children of preschool and primary school age are moreprone to various kinds of infectious diseases, which is associated with a lack of personal protection.
Symptoms of weakened immunity in children look the same as in adult patients. The child is susceptible to various viral and bacterial diseases. Moreover, the baby eventually becomes less energetic, more sleepy, he has problems with learning, etc.
It is extremely important to remember that the immune system develops in the first years of life. And here it is very important to monitor the proper nutrition of the child, since along with food, his body must receive a full range of vitamins and minerals. It's no secret that in the first few months of a baby's life, breastfeeding is also of great importance, since along with mother's milk, the baby receives not only nutrients, but also protective substances.
What is the danger of a decrease in immune activity?
Now that you figured out how to understand that the immune system is weakened, you should think about why such a phenomenon is dangerous. If the immune system does not work, the body becomes more susceptible to various infections. Frequent colds are unlikely to please anyone.
Moreover, improper functioning of the immune system affects the state of the whole organism, leading to certain disorders. The risk of developing chronic diseases increases, and infections are much more difficult to carry. In patients with a similar diagnosis, performance decreases. Constant weakness and drowsiness negatively affect the emotional state. That is why you should neverignore such a disorder - treatment and proper prevention are needed here.
Medication for immunodeficiency
If you notice signs of a weakened immune system, you should seek help from a doctor. In this case, it is important not only to determine the presence of a violation, but also to find out its cause.
Of course, modern medicine offers a lot of means to increase and strengthen immune defenses, but only your doctor can prescribe you medicines. As a preventive measure, a specialist can prescribe a complex of minerals and vitamins. The intake of lacto- and bifidobacteria will also have a positive effect on the state of the immune system - this helps to restore local immunity, restore microflora, and normalize digestion processes.
In more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe drugs containing interferon (Velferon, Roferon, Ingaron), etc. Or drugs that stimulate the synthesis of this substance in the body.
Diet
Of course, nutrition with a weakened immune system comes to the fore. So what should an effective and he althy diet look like? The diet should contain the whole complex of useful and nutritious substances, including vitamins and minerals.
In fact, the diet in this case corresponds to generally accepted norms of he althy eating. The diet must contain fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in fiber, vitamins and other useful substances. Highlyit is important to include fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt) in the diet, as this helps maintain the normal composition of the microflora.
Of course, food is better to cook on a steam, on the grill or in the oven. But the number of fried and fatty foods should be limited. You should also refuse products containing dyes, preservatives, flavors and other harmful food additives.
Foods containing large amounts of vitamin C, including citrus fruits and some other fruits, contribute to increased immunity. You need to monitor the water balance - you need to drink at least two liters of liquid per day (preferably pure water).
General principles for strengthening immunity
If you notice symptoms of a weakened immune system, then it's time to reconsider your usual daily routine and remember the principles of a he althy lifestyle. It is extremely important to maintain a normal sleep pattern, as constant lack of sleep negatively affects the immune system.
An important part of the prevention and strengthening of immunity is nutrition, as well as physical activity. Every day, at least twenty minutes to devote to various exercises, go to the gym, etc. Try to spend time in the fresh air. Leisure activities such as swimming, hiking, skiing, or at least walking in the woods will also help restore immune system activity.
Stress should be avoided, as nervous and emotional overstrain negatively affects immunity, and also causes changeshormonal levels.
Hardening
Certainly, hardening today is considered one of the most affordable and effective ways to strengthen immune defenses. There are many different ways - it can be dousing with cold water, contrast showers, air and sunbaths, walking barefoot, wiping with snow, regularly placing a bath or sauna, swimming in an ice hole, etc.
It is only worth noting that hardening procedures should only be started if the patient is completely he althy. In the presence of diseases, you must first undergo a course of treatment.
Unconventional Therapies
There are other ways to cope with such a problem as a weakened immune system. Treatment can be non-traditional. For example, reflexology and acupuncture are considered quite effective, which help to activate the work of all organ systems, including the immune system.
Specialists also recommend regular preventive courses of therapeutic massage, which has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system, and also helps to improve blood circulation and speed up the removal of excess fluid along with toxins from the body.
Strengthening immunity with medicinal plants
Do not forget about traditional medicine, which also offers a lot of tools to strengthen the immune system. After all, many medicinal plants have healing properties, contain useful substances, including flavonoids, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
For example, cranberries, lingonberries, blueberries, rose hips are considered useful for the immune system - you can make teas, compotes, fruit drinks, etc. from them. In addition, decoctions of sea buckthorn, yarrow, rosemary, nettles, elecampane. You can make an alcohol tincture with purple echinacea, ginseng, etc.
