Special projects “There is no such thing as strong or weak immunity”: Experts on myths about immunity and vitamins

Decreased immunity is a very dangerous process in the body, which can lead to various diseases and a general deterioration in a person’s quality of life. However, in many cases it is extremely difficult to determine such a process. So that you can do this and take timely measures to strengthen your own body, let's figure out what the immune system is, how it works, for what reasons it can fail, and how you can strengthen it. In this article we will look at the symptoms of decreased immunity.

What is immunity

Immunity is the body’s defense system that blocks the negative effects of various external factors, including viruses and bacteria. With proper functioning of the immune system, a person can easily cope with various diseases, including primary tuberculosis. However, with an unhealthy lifestyle, severe injuries and illnesses, a person’s immune system can malfunction. Such disruptions lead not only to an increased risk of various infectious diseases, but also autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis.

In order to manage the state of immunity, it is very important to know which organs provide it and what methods strengthen them. Otherwise, even restoring immunity with expensive drugs may be ineffective.

How does the problem affect the person?

If immunity has seriously decreased, then this situation necessarily affects the condition of the body. This is noticeable during an external examination of the patient, and there is also a clearly visible tendency towards a long course of any, even the most harmless, diseases.

The main signs of decreased immune defense can be presented as follows:

• pale skin;
• dry mucous membranes;
• violation of the structure of hair and nails;
• lack of appetite;
• apathy;
• frequent respiratory diseases.

Allergic reactions can indirectly serve as evidence of low immunity. If they appear more often on ordinary foods, then this is an alarming sign of trouble.

For you: Echinacea: a unique plant to boost immunity

Cold infections haunt a person constantly; he cannot be completely cured.

Kinds

Immunity in the human body can be either congenital (only it is transmitted genetically from mother to fetus) or acquired (usually appears after vaccination or illness). The latter can be of two types:

• Active – usually develops after vaccination. Provides for the body to produce its own antibodies and lasts for a long time.
• Passive - acquired by introducing ready-made serum with antibodies into the body. Not saved.

There is also a distinction between natural and artificial immunity. The first develops in a person who has suffered a certain disease and has become resistant to it (for example, after chickenpox), and the second occurs after the administration of special drugs, for example, a measles vaccine.

Strong immunity creates a barrier to all diseases

Each of us has noticed that some are strong and don’t get sick often, while others are not so strong, every sore sticks. Some time ago, when I began to engage in personal growth, I realized that attitude is very important in all illnesses.

If a person is “strong in spirit,” then he overcomes all obstacles. And he gets out of seemingly completely incurable diseases. This is a very important point.

The second psychological point is what kind of environment a person has. It pulls him up or down, or maybe “hangs” excessive responsibilities on this person, which can not only make him sick.

The third important point is how you rest. Many don't rest at all. They are like a charged battery, always in action. They become exhausted, very tired, and the body is completely drained of energy, which means that resistance to disease also drops.

A strong immune system protects against diseases. And often it is influenced by our lifestyle and our habits. Let's see what reasons can cause it to decrease.

How the system works

The human immune system includes many organs. Conventionally, it is divided into central and peripheral:

• The central organ of the immune system is the red bone marrow.
• The peripheral part of the system is represented by the spleen, tonsils, lymphatic tissue, and thymus.

These organs are connected by lymphatic ducts. The operating principle of the presented system is simple: when foreign bodies enter the body, the organs of the immune system react to such an invasion and send antibodies that can cope with one or another type of pathogen.

An important role in the functioning of the system is played by lymphocytes - special cells that attack foreign cells in the body and thus fight diseases. There are several types of lymphocytes, the most important of which are T lymphocytes. These cells are generated and “trained” by the immune system.

When such a system malfunctions, lymphocytes become dangerous not only to foreign cells of the body, but also to their own. They cease to recognize their own and foreign cells, and can attack healthy tissues of the body. This happens, for example, with multiple sclerosis.

How to avoid the decline of the body's defenses

Apart from genetic defects that are inherited, other causes can be controlled. Following simple preventive rules, which are presented below, will prevent your immunity from weakening.

• Timely sanitation of all foci of infection – tonsils, carious cavities, urinary tract, gall bladder.

• A varied, fortified diet all year round.
• Quitting bad habits , especially the use of drugs.
• Hardening.
• Preventive annual examinations at the clinic with routine tests.
• Refusal from unprotected casual sex , as this is what contributes to the transmission of HIV infection and hepatitis.

General improvement of the body, along with preventive rules, will prevent a decrease in immune defense. If any suspicious symptoms appear, especially with long-term cold infections, it is important to promptly consult an immunologist to diagnose the state of the immune system.

For you: The importance of normal microflora for protecting the body

Causes, signs and symptoms of depression

A decrease in a person’s immunity can be associated with various factors, including lifestyle habits and past serious illnesses. These reasons include:

• unbalanced diet;
• lack of physical activity or excess of it;
• bad habits, including smoking and drinking alcohol;
• allergies – hay fever, allergic bronchitis;
• sleep disturbance, increased nervousness;
• work in hazardous enterprises;
• living in a contaminated area;
• injuries, as well as surgical interventions;
• oncological diseases;
• severe blood diseases;
• long-term infectious diseases - chronic tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis;
• diseases of internal organs, dysfunction of the kidneys, liver, heart, stomach, intestines;
• the presence of parasites in the body.

Also, a decrease in immunity may be associated with certain types of treatment. It is often observed after long-term use of antibiotics, and can also occur during radiation therapy or chemotherapy used in the treatment of cancer.

When defenses weaken

There are two different types of immune defense in the human body: innate and acquired. The first is genetically determined, and the second is formed after contact with infectious pathogens. Immunity is ensured through immunocompetent cells - lymphocytes, which provide complete protection of vital functions in humans. The reasons that lead to a weakening of protection affect both types of the immune system, as well as the production of immunocompetent cells.

Below are the main reasons for the formation of immune deficiency:

• Genetic abnormalities. The problem is a lack of enzymes for the production of immunocompetent cells. In a child, the disease is diagnosed from birth and treated in special conditions depending on the degree of deficiency.
• Vitamin deficiencies. The problem is associated with a deficiency of nutrients that enter the body with food. It is more common with low financial income, as well as among vegetarians. It has a clear seasonality - spring, autumn.
• Chronic infectious and parasitic diseases. The presence of any disease that affects the immune system greatly weakens the immune system. Particularly dangerous are tuberculosis, hepatitis, and AIDS.
• Worms. By parasitizing more often in the intestines, these parasites interfere with the absorption of beneficial nutrients. As a result, the immune system is forced to spend great effort fighting helminths. But in the absence of necessary vitamins and minerals, it only becomes depleted, which leads to immunodeficiency.
• Bleeding. This is possible both in case of various diseases, for example, stomach ulcers, and during surgical interventions or injuries. With blood loss, the number of circulating lymphocytes sharply decreases, and new ones do not have time to be produced. As a result, immunity is sharply reduced.
• Stress. Against the background of long-term nervous disorders, the body's metabolism changes, which affects the state of all systems, including the immune system.

The combination of several reasons seriously complicates the process of reducing immune defense.

The process of recovery and strengthening in adults and children

Currently, there are many means used to restore immunity. These can be either special drugs used in various courses of treatment, or folk remedies. Let's look at them in more detail so that you can use them to strengthen your body.

Complications of sinusitis

Medicines to boost immunity in adults are described here.

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Medication for low immunity - what medications and vitamins to use

Various medications are used in medicine to enhance human immunity. These include:

• Herbal products: ginseng, echinacea, eleutherococcus. These products also have a mild anti-stress effect and can be used both in the treatment of various diseases and for their prevention.
• Bacterial preparations. These drugs act like vaccines, provoking an immune response in the body. It is recommended to take them as a disease prevention.
• Medicines containing interferon. These agents have a pronounced antiviral effect.
• Immunoregulatory peptides. These drugs affect only individual parts of the immune system and are used mainly for such serious diseases as tuberculosis.
• Preparations based on nucleic acids. Such drugs promote the production of interferon in the body. Most often prescribed for infectious diseases.
• Vitamins. They are used as an accompanying remedy in the treatment of various diseases, as well as as a preventive measure against viral diseases.

It is advisable to use all drugs presented only as prescribed by a doctor. He must decide not only on the type of remedy that is most effective in your case, but also on its dosage, which must under no circumstances be violated.

Treatment with folk remedies

Healthy people can use various folk remedies to strengthen their immune system. The most effective of them are:

• Homemade yogurt. To prepare this you will need to take fresh milk and add starter to it. Next, you will need to leave it in a warm place for 24 hours and apply the resulting product one glass per day. The drug helps improve the functioning of the intestines and stomach.
• Herbal decoctions. They help normalize the functioning of the liver, spleen and other organs, and increase the protective properties of the body. The most effective of these remedies are considered to be decoctions of St. John's wort, chamomile, and calendula.
• Dried fruit mixture. This drug is especially useful to use during the cold season. To prepare this, you will need to take raisins or dried apricots, walnuts, and lemon in equal parts. All this will need to be mixed and eaten a spoonful a day.

Before using this or that folk remedy, you need to make sure that you are not allergic to its components. Otherwise, you will only worsen the condition of your body.

Sports, hardening, etc.

In addition to medications and folk remedies, other factors can strengthen the immune system. These include:

• Regular exercise. They can significantly improve blood circulation, strengthen the respiratory and vascular system. All this makes the body less susceptible to infections and viruses.
• Visiting the sauna. This measure allows you to remove toxins from the body, increases blood circulation and metabolic processes in tissues. It also has a positive effect on foci of chronic infection. However, not everyone can use this method of strengthening the body: people with cancer should avoid the sauna, as it can provoke the development of cancer cells.
• Hardening. This measure allows you to increase the body's resistance to environmental factors, including hypothermia and infections.
• Elimination of foci of chronic infection. Timely treatment of diseased teeth, the fight against chronic ailments, including sinusitis, tonsillitis.
• Balanced diet. It is extremely important for a person to receive vitamins and microelements from food. To do this, you need to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals, nuts, fish and meat.
• Walks in the open air. This measure also helps strengthen the cardiac and respiratory systems.

It should be remembered that sports and hardening are measures that are available to all people. Beginners in this business need to seek help from doctors and trainers so as not to harm their body. They will help you choose exactly the activity mode that suits you best.

Drugs - immunomodulators to improve immunity

There are only 6 groups of drugs that can help boost immunity. I am always a proponent of having these medications prescribed by a doctor.

• ① Herbal preparations

They can come in a variety of dosage forms, from tablets, dragees, and liquid forms. These are preparations of ginseng, eleutherococcus, echinacea, etc.

• ② Synthetic forms

These include all vitamin preparations, since they are all obtained chemically.

• ③ Drugs of animal origin

They are derived from the thymus gland of mammals. They are polypeptides and act on T-lymphocytes, increasing their number and activity.

• ④ Bacterial preparations

They stimulate the production of lymphocytes under the influence of certain bacteria, which prevents many colds.

• ⑤ Preparations containing interferon

It is even prescribed to pregnant women and newborns, especially in the acute phase of the disease.

• ⑥ Mixed type, dietary supplements

These are food additives, most often a natural composition, minerals, plant substances, and maybe vitamin supplements. This is an innovative type of drug to enhance immunity.

Vegetovascular dystonia

This is the favorite diagnosis of all domestic therapists, cardiologists and neurologists. My head hurts? VSD. Hands are shaking? VSD! Is there a tingling sensation in your chest? V-S-D. More “advanced” doctors may throw around another Mesozoic diagnosis - “neurocirculatory dystonia”. So, let's figure out what it is and why it is dangerous.

Let's start with the fact that this word is usually used to designate any disturbances in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Vegetative-vascular dystonia is an outdated and common diagnosis and is not included in the modern International Classification of Diseases - so the use of such a term is the clearest marker demonstrating the unprofessionalism of the doctor. Most often, a doctor from a district is simply too lazy to spend time diagnosing the specific causes of a disorder - he still has fifteen grannies in line, he’s hungry, and in three hours he needs to be at a private clinic, where he works part-time to feed the children. Everything would be fine, but very often such a diagnosis, put “out of the blue,” leads to incorrect treatment and ignoring the true causes of the disease. And they can be really serious: chronic coronary heart disease, endocrine disruptions and even mental disorders.

Moreover, you should not buy the so-called drugs for VSD that are advertised on TV. If you have been given this diagnosis, it is better to visit several more doctors and find out the real cause of your illness.

Reasons for weakening

Take care of a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet. Your diet should be dominated by coarse fiber, plant foods, which are a natural cleanser of the body from harmful toxins. Limit fatty meats fried in animal fats in your diet. Drink less strong coffee, more mineral water. Include more aromatic herbs in your diet.

Nails are also an indicator of the effect of various medications. If a person has been treated with antibiotics for a long time, yellow-brown stains may appear on his nails. After X-raying your hands, your fingernails may turn dark brown.

Addison's disease also gives the same shade to the nails. In people suffering from diabetic thrombosis of the arteries of the upper extremities, the nails may be black.

Sometimes concave nails are also found, but they are more often seen on the big toe. This form indicates that there is a lack of zinc and iron in the human diet. Of course, the lack of iron must be replenished not only to strengthen nails, but also to stabilize the general condition of the body.

For better absorption of iron by the body, it is recommended not to drink tea rich in iron, as it contains tannin, which interferes with the normal absorption of this element. It is best to drink natural fruit juices at lunch, because the vitamin C they contain helps improve the absorption of iron.

Selenium deficiency can lead to the appearance of ridges or scars on the nails, and its excess can lead to their darkening.

Brittle nails, as well as hair loss, are a consequence of improper functioning of the thyroid gland.

At the initial stage of psoriasis, many pinpoint pits appear on the nail plates. If they have transverse grooves, then this may be the result of some infectious disease: measles, jaundice, rubella. If the grooves are longitudinal, then they most likely appeared due to problems with the intestines or pancreas.

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In order to begin treatment of rubella in children, it is necessary to prepare an isolated room that is well ventilated. Isolation from other children present in the family is carried out. Bed rest is prescribed for 5 - 7 days. At this time, it is important to organize proper nutrition and sufficient drinking regime.

It is necessary to give at least 2 liters of fluid per day. Half of this amount should be in the form of mineral water with released gases or Regidron solution. Multiple meals are prescribed in small portions. Dishes should contain a large amount of protein of plant and animal origin. This can be fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk), pureed meat and fish puddings, chicken eggs and much more.

Ascorutin is prescribed 500 mg 3 times a day for the prevention of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used to relieve headaches and muscle pain and normalize body temperature.

Currently, scientists do not know how to treat rubella in children using specific antiviral drugs. They simply don't exist. Antibiotics are not effective for this infection. They are prescribed only in case of complications, for lymphadenitis, sore throat and pneumonia. The drug “Wobenzym” has a certain effectiveness, which has an immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory effect on the child’s body. Prescribed 1 capsule 3 times a day for 12 - 15 days.

Antihistamines have a positive effect during the period of skin rashes. This could be Suprastin, Tavegil, Pipolfen, Claritin or Diazolin. It should be given in a dosage that corresponds to the age and body weight of the baby.

Treatment of rubella disease in a hospital is required if a child develops a convulsive syndrome and there are signs of infection spreading through the blood-brain barrier. In this case, rubella disease poses a threat to the health and life of the child.

Determination of cytomegalovirus is carried out in the laboratory. Diagnosis is quite simple: a simple blood test under a special fluorescent microscope is enough. Large viruses are clearly visible; it is not for nothing that their name contains the word “metalo”, which means “big”. If the laboratory does not have a special microscope (it is quite expensive), they carry out PCR diagnostics and detect antibodies to pathogens in the blood.

People from young to old suffer from purulent meningitis: in our practice, the youngest patient was not even a month old, and the oldest was over 80 years old.

Statistics say that most often patients catch meningitis in the spring.

Why is it at this time that the immune system cannot resist a dangerous infection? The fact is that it is during this period that the causes of meningitis become more pronounced.

Read more: Echinacea for children benefits for immunity instructions and reviews

Every day, millions of different pathogens enter our body, including meningitis pathogens. The immune system immediately sends defenders to intercept - special cells that capture, swallow and digest harmful viruses and microbes. Usually the immune system easily and quickly copes with the enemy, so that we don’t even notice it.

But in the spring the body is greatly weakened by a lack of vitamins and sun, cold, and various infections. Especially many patients are admitted to infectious diseases hospitals during the decline of the influenza epidemic, which most often occurs at the end of winter - beginning of spring. Our immune system has to contain the powerful attack of viruses, and there is no longer any strength left to fight bacteria.

In mild forms of the disease, the patient has a fever for 2-3 days, accompanied by intoxication. The organs are not harmed.

In the case of a moderate form of leptospirosis, the patient’s liver and spleen become enlarged, jaundice and pain in the right side appear, the skin becomes dry, itching occurs, and vomiting occurs. These are unfavorable symptoms of leptospirosis.

A rash may also appear on the body. Many patients show signs of kidney damage.

In severe forms of the disease, complications of the central nervous system, myocarditis, colon ulcers, and internal bleeding may develop. Convulsions, disturbances of consciousness, even coma are possible.

Treatment of leptospirosis in humans includes antimicrobial agents.

Symptomatic treatment of leptospirosis with analgesics, antihistamines, and enterosorbents (to relieve intoxication) is also indicated.

Doctors must constantly monitor blood clotting and the functioning of the patient’s internal organs. In case of acute kidney failure, the patient undergoes hemodialysis (extrarenal blood purification).

When does the patient get better? With proper treatment, a gradual recovery begins from the 4th week and the infected person completely gets rid of Leptospira. If the patient consulted a doctor on time, leptospirosis was quickly diagnosed and treated, there would be no complications or relapses.

How long does the recovery period last? About 6 months. The patient must be observed, as relapses of the disease are possible. In addition, the person recovering should regularly have their urine tested to monitor the recovery of their kidneys and liver.

Can the disease become chronic? No, leptospirosis is only acute. The patient's immunity is formed for a long period of time, but only to a certain type of Leptospira. Therefore, there is a possibility of infection by another type of bacteria. Moreover, a vaccine against leptospirosis has been developed.

What complications are possible with leptospirosis? Due to the fact that blood clotting is impaired in this disease, hemorrhagic syndrome may develop. With it, blood vessels burst in the muscles and tissues and bleeding opens - gastric, pulmonary. A skin rash may also indicate this syndrome.

Complications can spread to the adrenal glands, eyes, and liver. There is a risk of developing infectious-toxic shock. During pregnancy, leptospirosis can lead to miscarriage.

These patients will experience the disease in a mild form: with slight malaise, sore throat and runny nose. True, this condition can last more than a month. In addition, during this period, patients become infectious.

Microbes can target different parts of the body. The most common diphtheria is the pharynx, larynx, and nose. This is how the symptoms of diphtheria appear.

Sometimes the disease “descends” to the trachea and bronchi, then they talk about the development of diphtheria croup. Bacteria can also affect the skin, eyes, and genitals.

Once inside the body, microbes begin to multiply quickly and release toxins. Because of this, inflammation occurs and a grayish-white film forms on the mucous membranes.

It is important to distinguish the disease psittacosis from the flu, which develops at lightning speed, acutely, with high fever and severe intoxication. Here the intoxication is low, the headache is not so severe. With the flu your eyes hurt, but with psittacosis this does not happen.

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There is an opinion in everyday life that weak immunity causes a lack of essential vitamins; just eat more fruits and vegetables, and the problem will go away. This statement is objective, but reflects only one aspect of the disease, since there are many factors that reduce the functionality of the protective forces.

In adults

Factors that weaken the immune system of an adult can be expressed in a list.

• Unbalanced diet, consumption of foods lacking proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and microelements. The result is a disruption of the digestive process and an imbalance of the intestinal microflora, where cells of the immune system accumulate.
• Excessive physical activity, depleting the body, weakens the production of immunoglobulins.
• Nervous disorders, stress, which reduce the production of joy hormones, which disrupts the functioning of the central nervous system and creates dysfunction in brain cell connections and reactions.
• An unhealthy lifestyle - drinking alcohol, dependence on tobacco, drugs - harms all systems and organs.
• Violation of the daily routine, lack of rest, exposure to positive natural factors - water, fresh air, sun leads to vitamin D deficiency and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Restructuring of the body in women before menstruation, during pregnancy, during menopause.

Nutrition

• Unbalanced and unhealthy diet;
• Abuse of bad habits;
• Weakened immunity is formed in the absence of healthy sleep and tension in the nervous system;
• Excessive use of antibiotics or improper use of medications;
• Unfavorable environmental conditions in the place of residence;
• Reduced protection of a person's internal environment is associated with a lack of physical activity;
• Deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
• Inheritance of weak immune resistance.

• Conduct an immunogram (blood test);
• Prescribe a multivitamin complex for disease prevention;
• Prescribe medications suitable for enhancing protective functions.

How to find out?

Loneliness

Every person needs time to be alone with themselves. But social connections are very important in a person’s life. Lack of communication causes disturbances in the emotional sphere. A person experiences anxiety, melancholy, apathy.

Certain disturbances in the cognitive sphere are also observed, for example, problems with concentration. Gradually, depression manifests itself at the physiological level: sleep disturbance, decreased energy tone. Possible alcohol abuse.

Therefore, maintain relationships with your friends and acquaintances. Make new acquaintances. Even if you are a timid and shy person, there are plenty of opportunities for communication. These include book clubs, dance classes, sports clubs, or community college classes.

Causes of decreased immunity in children

There are many reasons leading to a violation of the immune status or, in simple terms, to a decrease in immunity. Here are the most common ones:

• birth injury;
• complications during pregnancy (especially at 20-28 weeks).
• hereditary predisposition;
• lack of vitamins;
• short breastfeeding (less than 6 months);
• improper introduction of complementary foods, causing an excess or, conversely, a lack of nutrients;
• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
• improper use of medications (overdose);
• severe psychological trauma;
• bad ecology.