Of course, the problem of lowering the body's immune defense is currently quite serious. It is faced by 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 is no secret that the immune system is a natural barrier that protects the human body from various infections from the external environment. This system consists of many components, including lymph nodes and vessels, as well as the spleen, bone marrow, and thymus gland. These organs closely interact with each other, providing protection against toxins, pathogens. Moreover, thanks to the immune system, the body is restored after illness, surgery, injuries, etc.
It is worth noting that immunity affects the work of other systems and organs. For example, the immune system is closely associated with endocrine glands and can affect hormones. That is why it is extremely important to notice the symptoms of weakened immunity in time and take appropriate measures.
Weakened immunity: causes and types
In fact, a decrease in the body's immune defense may be due to the influence of various factors of the external and internal environment. Moreover, weakening of the immune system 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 organs in this zone.
Decreased immunity may be associated with a way of life. In particular, malnutrition, hypovitaminosis, anemia, bad habits (including smoking, addiction to alcohol) lead to such a disorder. Risk groups include residents of regions with increased radiation background. In addition, a malfunction of the immune system can be caused by a neurosis, lack of sleep, emotional overstrain, lack of, or, conversely, an excess of physical activity.
On the other hand, immunodeficiency can develop against the background of certain diseases. For example, risk factors include severe liver damage, blood pathology, infection, trauma, cancer, excretory system disorders, helminth infestations, chemotherapy, chronic inflammation, and prolonged use of antibiotics.
Weakened immunity in an adult: symptoms
Having this condition can cause many problems. Therefore, many readers are interested in questions about how signs of weakened immunity in adults look. 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 the 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, poor mood, irritability, apathy, and depressive states.
A decrease in immune defense, of course, affects the condition of the skin, nails and hair - they become weak, dry and brittle. Often, patients may 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 immune system weakened?
Quite often, when examined, pediatricians come to the conclusion that the child's immunity is weakened. Why is such a disorder much more often 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 more prone 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 in the first years of life, the immune system is developing. And here it is very important to monitor the proper nutrition of the child, since together with food, his body must receive a full complex of vitamins and minerals. It is no secret to anyone that in the first few months of the baby’s life, breastfeeding is of great importance, since together with breast milk, the baby receives not only nutritious, but also protective substances.
What is the danger of a decrease in immune activity?
Now that you’ve figured out how to understand that immunity is weakened, it’s worth considering what is dangerous for such a phenomenon. If the immune system does not work, the body becomes more susceptible to various infections. Frequent colds are unlikely to please someone.
Moreover, the malfunctioning of the immune system affects the state of the whole organism, leading to various violations. The risk of developing chronic diseases increases, and infections are much more difficult to transmit. In patients with a similar diagnosis, performance decreases. Constant weakness and drowsiness negatively affect the emotional state. That is why in no case should you ignore such a disorder - treatment and proper prevention are necessary here.
Medication for immunodeficiency
If you notice signs of weakened immunity, you should seek the help of 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 the immune defense, but only your doctor can prescribe medications. As a prevention, a specialist can prescribe a complex of minerals and vitamins. The intake of lactobacilli 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 medications containing interferon (Velferon, Roferon, Ingaron), etc. Or drugs that stimulate the synthesis of this substance in the body.
Diet
Of course, nutrition with weakened immunity comes to the fore. So what should an effective and healthy diet look like? The diet should contain the whole complex of useful and nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
In fact, the diet in this case corresponds to the generally accepted norms of a healthy diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber, vitamins and other beneficial substances must be present in the diet. It is very important to include sour-milk products (kefir, yoghurts) in the diet, as this helps to maintain the normal composition of microflora.
Naturally, it is better to cook food for a couple, on the grill or in the oven. But the number of fried and fatty dishes should be limited. You also need to abandon products containing dyes, preservatives, flavorings and other harmful food additives.
Enhancing immunity is promoted by foods containing large amounts of vitamin C, including citrus fruits and some other fruits. You need to monitor the water balance - you need to drink at least two liters of liquid per day (preferably clean water).
General principles of strengthening immunity
If you notice symptoms of a weakened immune system, then it's time to review your usual daily routine and recall the principles of a healthy lifestyle. It is extremely important to maintain a normal sleep pattern, as constant lack of sleep adversely 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, visit the gym, etc. Try to spend time in the fresh air. Active leisure activities, including swimming, mountaineering, skiing, or at least walking through the woods will also help restore the activity of the immune system.
Stress should be avoided, since nervous and emotional overstrain negatively affects immunity, and also causes changes in the hormonal background.
Hardening
Of course, hardening is today considered one of the most affordable and effective ways to strengthen the immune defense. There are many different ways - this can be dousing with cold water, contrast showers, air and sun baths, walking barefoot, rubbing with snow, regular placement of a bath or sauna, swimming in an ice hole, etc.
It should only be noted that hardening procedures should only be started if the patient is completely healthy. In the presence of diseases, you must first undergo a course of treatment.
Alternative treatment methods
There are other ways to cope with a problem such as weakened immunity. Treatment may be unconventional. For example, reflexology and acupuncture are considered quite effective, which help activate the work of all organ systems, including the immune system.
Specialists also recommend regular preventive courses of therapeutic massage, which positively affects the musculoskeletal system, and also helps to improve blood circulation and accelerate the elimination 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 beneficial substances, including flavonoids, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
For example, cranberries, lingonberries, blueberries, and rosehips are considered useful for the immune system - you can make teas, compotes, fruit drinks, etc. In addition, decoctions of sea buckthorn, yarrow, rosemary, nettle, and elecampane will positively affect your health. You can prepare an alcohol tincture of purple echinacea, ginseng, etc.