Many people are taking extra steps to keep healthy in the wake of the recent COVID-19 omicron variant.
Hand washing for 20 secs and social distancing are critical for avoiding the virus’s spread. It’s also crucial to have a healthy immune system that can fight off any germs you could come across. If you’ve found that you’re frequently unwell, tired, or have other unidentified symptoms, it’s possible that your immune system is impaired.
Take a look at the warning signals and what you can do to strengthen your immune system.
You’re too much Stressed
A major project at work or a stressful scenario at home isn’t a coincidence that makes you sick.
Long-term stress affects your immune system’s responses, according to a paper from the American Psychological Association.
“That’s because stress decreases the body’s lymphocytes, the white blood cells that help fight off infection. The lower your lymphocyte levels, the more you’re at risk for viruses like the common cold,” says Nadia Hasan, DO, a physician at Delancey Internal Medicine.
You’re always sick with a cold
Having a cold twice or three times a year is entirely typical for people. The majority of people recover in seven to ten days.
“During that time, it takes the immune system three to four days to develop antibodies and fight off pesky germs,” adds Dr. Hasan.
However, contracting colds on a regular basis – or having a cold that won’t go away – is an indication that your immune system is straining to keep up.
Too much Tummy Troubles
If you experience frequent diarrhea, gas, or constipation, your immune system may be impaired.
According to studies, the digestive tract houses over 70% of your immune system. Beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that live in your gut protect you from infection and help your immune system.
Having insufficient numbers of these beneficial gut bacteria puts you at risk for infections, chronic inflammation, and potential autoimmune illnesses.
Your Injuries Take a Long Time to Heal
When you suffer a burn, cut, or scrape, your skin goes into damage control mode. Your body defends the wound by delivering nutrient-rich blood to aid in the regeneration of new skin.
Healthy immune cells are required for this healing process to take place. Your skin, on the other hand, cannot rejuvenate if your immune system is weak. Your wounds, on the other hand, persist and take a long time to heal.
You Are Constantly Infected
If you seem to get a lot of infections, your body might be giving you a warning.
Signs of a probable immunological deficit in adults, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, include:
- Having four or more ear infections in a single year
- Getting pneumonia twice in a year
- Having chronic sinusitis or more than three bacterial sinusitis episodes in a year
- requiring more than two courses of antibiotics every year
You are always Tired
You’re well aware that burning the candle at both ends will leave you exhausted. However, if you’re receiving enough sleep but still feel exhausted, it’s worth wondering whether your immune system is attempting to communicate with you.
When your immune system is weak, your energy level suffers as well.
“That’s because your body is trying to conserve energy to fuel your immune system so it can fight off germs,” adds Dr. Hasan.
How to boost Immune System
If you recognize any of the above warning symptoms, you should pay special attention to your immune system. A few simple lifestyle modifications and new behaviors can help your immune system stay robust and healthy naturally:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise regularly
- Wash your hands
- Keep up with your vaccines
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don’t smoke
- Try to minimize stress
Because your immune system is so important to your overall health, the more you can do to safeguard it, the better.
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