Diseases, germs, and infections are sneaky discomforts that can make their way into the human body at the slightest slip-up. When this happens, your immune system immediately springs into action to save your body from harm.
But, what happens when a disease has the upper hand and your immune system is unable to fight it? How can you determine whether your immune system is healthy or weak?
In this article, you’ll get to know how the immune system works, the signs of a weak immune system, and the best practices that can help boost your immune system.
What is an Immune System?
An immune system is a large group of interconnected organs, cells, and tissues that help to fight off attacks from infections, germs, and diseases.
When your immune system is healthy, it prevents germs from making their way into your body by killing them. It also limits the harm posed by these germs when they become present in your body.
How Does the Immune System Work?
The function of the immune system is to protect your body against harmful diseases. To carry out this function, it follows a process.
First, the immune system starts by noting down the cells and substances that belong to you, so it can identify when a foreign substance (antigens) has made its way into your body.
After it recognizes substances that aren’t yours, it begins to assemble the various cells, organs, and tissues. These will produce proteins and other substances to attack and kill foreign invaders.
Since the immune system now recognizes a specific invader, it’s able to fight faster when such substance becomes present again. Some of the organs, tissues, and cells which attack these foreign invaders are:
- The white blood cells
- The lymph nodes
- The spleen
- The tonsils and adenoids
- The bone marrow
- The skin
- The bowel
- The stomach, etc
Signs of a Weak Immune System
It’s only when your immune system is in top shape that it’s able to protect your body from danger.
Sometimes, the immune system is unable to act as a shield against these foreign substances. Instead, it acts backward by attacking when there is no threat or it can even mount an attack against your cells.
At this point, the immune system is weak and this backward action can result in allergic reactions or worse, autoimmune diseases. Here are signs of a weak immune system:
1. Recurring cold
It’s not unusual to develop a cold two or three times a year. During this interval, your immune system recharges to develop antibodies against sneaky germs. But when you begin to develop colds regularly, it may be a sign that your immune system is weak.
2. Fatigue
Fatigue can be caused by several factors in your daily life. But, if you feel constantly exhausted even after having a good amount of sleep, you need to be alert! It’s a way of your immune system communicating with you.
This is because when your immune system weakens, your energy level is also affected. A low energy level will thus result in constant tiredness or exhaustion.
3. Digestive issues
Nobody wants to be bugged by stomach troublesthat cause discomfort. Frequent digestive issues such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea constipation, etc. signify that your immune system might be in harm’s way.
4. Slow wound healing
The skin helps the body to fight against foreign invaders by regenerating new skin when you get a cut or a wound. But, the duration of healing is mostly dependent on the state of your immune system.
A strong immune system will facilitate the healing process of the wound. But a weak one will lead to a slow healing process. This will make you vulnerable to infections and diseases like diabetes.
5. Regular infections
Another symptom that you should keep an eye out for is regular infections. Frequent skin infections like rashes, dry skin, or inflammation are warning signs.
Other infections that can be a result of a weak immune system are recurring ear infections, fungal infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
6. Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases are a reaction to your immune system attacking its cells. Here, your immune system becomes hyper, and this action increases your chances of having autoimmune diseases.
7. The presence of blood disorders
Certain blood disorders can make your immune system weak. They’re clear indications that your immune system is weak. Low platelet count, blood clots, anemia, and hemophilia are blood disorders that can do this.
Ways to Boost your Immune System
Do you experience the above signs of a weak immune system? Are they familiar? If yes, you can help boost your immune system by establishing these healthy habits:
- Have a regular sleep
- Eat a healthy meal
- Get rid of smoking and drinking habits
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Take only prescribed medication
The immune system when healthy will do your body a lot of good. But a state where it’s overactive or underactive will make you vulnerable to diseases, infections, and germs. Alongside the solutions provided to a weak immune system, you should also check in with your doctor when you notice any funny symptoms in your body.
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