What do you need to know about the human immune system?

Each of you, in one way or another, heard what immunity is. Everyone and everything is now talking about how to strengthen immunity, although in fact, such a concept as immunity is still far from being fully understood and is quite difficult to understand, both for many doctors and for people without medical education.
What is immunology and why is it needed?
In connection with the practical need to combat infectious diseases (purulent tonsillitis, influenza, etc.), a science has arisen that studies immunity. It’s called immunology. Doctors who deal with the pathology of the immune system are called immunologists.

In our time, it has become very fashionable to talk about immunity, about strengthening immunity. But no one really thinks about what consequences actions aimed at increasing immunity can lead to. But the invasion of the human immune system can cause irreparable harm to his health.

Many doctors of various specialties are armed with one or even several medications, which, in their opinion, should strengthen the immune system and cure an insidious disease. In many cases, this helps on the principle of self-hypnosis (placebo effect), when the patient is determined that the treatment will help him, and strongly believes in it. In other cases, the appointment of immunomodulators can be very dangerous, because in this way we disrupt the natural balance of our body.

Remember, any medical drug should be prescribed solely according to the indications and in accordance with the protocols for the treatment of diseases and nothing else. Immunomodulatory drugs should be prescribed by an immunologist in accordance with a special analysis obtained – an immunogram.

What do you need to know about the immune system?

Each person in his life meets with a huge number of microbial agents. To most of them, the body will develop protection (immunity). But there will always be a microorganism to which there will be no protection at the moment. Therefore, infectious diseases are inevitable. But in this aspect, something else is important. It is important here how often a person gets sick, and in what form the disease proceeds! This is where immunity comes into play. And the degree of severity of the disease will depend on how it is violated.

Immunity is the body’s ability to resist disease. It is of two types – specific and nonspecific.

specific immunity

specific immunity можно рассмотреть на примере. Let’s say a person has chickenpox. Per
during the illness to the varicella-zoster virus (the causative agent of chickenpox), a stable immunity specific to the varicella-zoster virus has developed. It is already enough for a person not to get chickenpox again for many years.

Nonspecific immunity

Nonspecific immunity намного проще. A typical example can be given: the invasion of the body by a virus or microbe leads to an increase in body temperature (non-specific reaction to the invasion of the virus). This mechanism, in turn, leads to the fact that a special protein, interferon, begins to be produced in the body. Interferon destroys any viruses (and adenovirus, and measles, and influenza, and chickenpox). The action of this substance is also non-specific. The system of nonspecific immunity is represented not only by interferon. This is a set of substances that protect our body in a similar way. If we take human skin or mucous membranes, then they also belong to non-specific protective factors. They serve as the first barrier to the retention of pathogenic microbes.

Causes of reduced immunity

Among the reasons for the decrease in immunity should be noted:

Bad ecology (polluted air, radionuclides, pesticides);
Poor quality food (semi-finished products, products containing stabilizers, dyes, preservatives, GMOs, products containing a lot of sugar);
Deficiency of vitamins and microelements (A, B, C zinc, selenium);
Overweight, as well as excessive fasting;
Frequent stressful situations;
Uncontrolled intake of antibiotics and other medications;
How to strengthen immunity

Strengthening the immune system is very important for health, and especially in autumn, when there is a long winter ahead with frequent colds and other viral diseases, as well as in early spring.

It is during this period that there is an acute shortage of vitamins and other nutrients so necessary for our body. Strengthening the immune system is possible in many ways, with the help of one’s own strength or with the help of medicines.

The simplest and most reliable methods include contrast hardening, sports, proper nutrition, and the use of vitamins. Enough recipes that help increase the body’s defenses, offers and traditional medicine. If the immune system is already reduced as a result of a serious illness, in this situation an immunologist is needed to prescribe immunomodulating drugs.

How does cold affect our body?

The fact is that the cold itself slows down the metabolic processes in our body, and the constant long-term effect of cold on our body is not only not useful, but even harmful! Despite this, many “folk healers” recommend constantly lowering the temperature of the water for hardening day after day. As a result, we have a constant cooling of the body, and as a result, the onset of the disease.

In this case, contrast is required. That is, the alternation of cold with heating. In this case, various baths and saunas work very well.

More than one article can be written about a rational balanced diet to strengthen immunity. The diet should include meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and berries, dairy products, potatoes, buckwheat and oatmeal, broccoli, parsley, dill, nuts, citrus fruits, etc.

Active lifestyle. Physical exercises are useful: gymnastics, aerobics, fitness, running, swimming, long walks. By the way, a balanced diet and active sports are useful not only for strengthening the immune system. Read my articles about vasomotor rhinitis and chronic tonsillitis, I think you will be interested.

Strengthening immunity folk remedies

Plants such as ginseng, aralia, echinacea, Chinese magnolia vine are widely known to strengthen the immune system.

For example, ginseng tincture has a lot of useful properties. Firstly, it is an excellent adaptogen, and the tincture also has a general stimulating, metabolic and tonic effect. It fights drowsiness, fatigue, improves mental and physical performance. Plus, it stimulates sexual function, reduces the amount of cholesterol and glucose in the blood. For people with hypertension, the drug may increase blood pressure. Also, the drug should not be taken by children under 12 years of age.

Echinacea is also a very well known immune system booster. It is a natural immunomodulator. The plant itself is native to North America. In medicine, only one of the types of echinacea is most often used – echinacea purpurea, although there are already 9 types of them! Echinacea tincture should be taken to prevent colds and flu or at the very beginning of the disease. Also, echinacea tincture will be useful before strong physical exertion, a sharp change in temperature and climate. You need to take it according to the instructions!