Signs of a weak immune system
Weak immune system
Maintaining a proper diet and good health comes with a strong immune system. If you face any problems, it is a sign of a weak immune system. Falling sick often and digestion issues are signs of a weak immune system.
Our immune system is our body’s defence against infections and other harmful invaders. If your immune system is weak, you will constantly get sick from bacteria or viruses that enter the body.
Immune system includes
Your immune system is made up of special cells, tissues, and many organs that work together to protect you. The main cells of the immune system contain white blood cells. They are made in the bone marrow and other lymphatic organs, including the thymus.
The lymphatic system is a network consisting of lymph nodes and vessels. Lymphatic vessels are thin tubes like blood vessels; they carry a clear fluid called lymph throughout the body. The lymphatic system mainly contains tissue fluid, immune system cells, and waste material in the body. Lymph nodes are generally bean-shaped cells connected by lymphatic vessels. They contain white blood cells that mainly trap viruses, bacteria, and other cancer cells.
Factors that can increase your chances of a weak immune system
Immune system problems mainly occur when the immune system is not working properly. These problems may include immunodeficiency diseases. If you have an immunodeficiency disease, you get sick more regularly.
For example, HIV is a virus that damages the immune system by destroying your white blood cells completely and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
People with AIDS have badly damaged and weakened their immune systems. These infections are also known as “opportunistic infections” because they take complete advantage of weak immune systems.
Signs of a weak immune system
- Falling sick often
- Digestion issues
- You are always tired.
- slow healing period
- Being overweight
- Frequent fungal infections
1. Falling sick often
As obvious as it seems, falling sick frequently is also one of the simplest ways to realise that you have a compromised immune system.
Sure, everyone catches a cold or infection now and then, but if you are getting sick more frequently than an average of 2-3 times a year, it is a warning sign.
When you fall sick, your antibodies fight the pathogens and make sure you recover your health. However, in the case of a weakened immune system, your antibodies will not be able to completely defeat the pathogens and eliminate them from your body.
As a result, you fall sick frequently.
2. Digestion issues
Are you aware that your gut has one of the strongest immune systems?
The microorganisms, or good bacteria, living in your gut are responsible for defending your body from foreign invaders.
So, if you constantly suffer from either indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, or bloating, it is due to a gut issue, which is a sign of a weakened immune system.
3. You are always tired.
Having a compromised immune system may result in you facing fatigue or getting tired in spite of not doing anything physically demanding.
You may feel weak and tired even after getting a good night’s sleep. This is because your body will be conserving energy to aid your immune system.
If you are always feeling tired, it might be due to a weak immune system.
4. Slow healing period
Similar to a longer recovery time when you catch a cold or fall sick, if you notice that your wounds or injuries take longer than usual to heal, it might just be another sign that your immune system is weak.
When you are injured or have any damage to your skin, your body works hard to send nutrient-rich blood to the site of the injury to heal and regenerate the skin in that place. This healing process depends on a good immune system.
5. Being overweight
Being overweight causes numerous health disorders, one of which weakens your immune system.
If you are overweight, the tissues that are responsible for storing fat secrete more cytokines, a type of protein, and this results in inflammation. This constant inflammation puts an unnecessary load on your immune system.
In addition to this, it also hinders proper nutrient absorption by the body and causes hormonal imbalances. All of these negatively impact your immune system.
6. Frequent fungal infections
Having frequent fungal infections is another warning sign of a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of a weak immune system include
- Cold Hands
If your blood vessels are damaged, it can be harder for your fingers and toes to keep warm. The skin colour in these areas may turn when you’re exposed to the cold. This comes under “Raynaud’s phenomenon”, which means immune system problems can cause cold hands.
- Dry eyes
Many people who have an autoimmune disorder find that they have dry eyes and that something is in their eye. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are the two conditions that occur due to a weak immune system, and as a result, people can’t even cry when they’re upset.
- Patchy hair loss
If you lose hair on your scalp or any other part of your body, it is due to immune system attacks on hair follicles. Due to a condition called alopecia areata, strands or clumps of hair occur.
- Mild fever
If you have a higher temperature than normal, it could be a sign that your immune system is starting to overwork. This comes under autoimmune conditions, where an oncoming infection attacks and leads to a mild fever.
- Headaches
Sometimes headaches can also be related to the immune system. Inflammation of a blood vessel and headaches caused by autoimmune disease
Tips to boost your immune system
- Practise good hygiene, like washing your hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- A healthy and balanced diet can help prevent infections.
- Staying fit helps improve your overall health.
- Try to go to sleep early and sleep more than 8 hours every night.
- Some researchers suggested that stress can also harm your immune system, so keep stress in check with massage, meditation, habits, and yoga.
- Avoid exposure to pollution.
Finally, you can follow our expert doctors suggestions for a good immune system.