Why does immune system weaken in the fall and winter and what should be done to prevent colds and flu? We will tell you what harms your immune system, and how to help it deal with viruses.
Season colds:
In the autumn period there is a sharp jump in the incidence of colds and flu. With the onset of cold weather our immune system weakens, in view of the fact that it is worse against viruses and other pathogenic microorganisms causing colds. In addition, the school year begins in autumn, in view of the fact that the spread of respiratory viral diseases is significantly accelerating. In addition, the immune system of children is not yet fully formed, in view of the fact that they are more exposed to colds and flu than others.
Thus, the main factors contributing to colds in the autumn period are the decrease in air temperature and the beginning of the school year, when a cold easily gets infected in educational institutions. The main protector against viral and other infectious diseases is your immunity. It is a complex system consisting of separate organs, tissues, cells and macromolecular complexes. Every second, human immunity fights with millions of viral particles and other microbes that are floating in the air, as well as those contained in food and water that we consume. If it gives the slack, then it is difficult to resist pathogenic microorganisms, in view of the fact that a person falls ill.
What your immune system doesn’t like?
It is subject to many negative factors, among which:
1. Stress. It has long been known that stress has a negative impact on human health, but over time, scientists and physicians are getting more and more information that stress is almost the most significant factor affecting the development of a number of diseases. Hormones of stress (adrenaline and cortisol) are constantly produced and adversely affect the activity of the immune, cardiovascular, nervous systems and metabolism.
2. Problems with sleep. An important component of health is a full-fledged sleep, which should last 7-8 hours. When a person does not get enough sleep, this leads to an increase in the level of the stress hormone, which in turn suppresses the immune system and provokes inflammatory processes. Therefore, if you want to improve immune system then one of these methods is a healthy sleep.
3. Unhealthy diet. The quality of nutrition is one of the main factors that affect well-being. The human body is a complex biochemical mechanism that daily needs nutrients: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids. If one of the components listed above is deficient, the body’s work is broken, including immunity is suppressed.
4. Excess sugar. Separately it is necessary to say about sugar. Studies of recent decades show that sugar is indeed a poison for the body. The use of excessive amounts of sugar inhibits the work of immune cells. The negative effect of sugar persists for 2-3 hours after you, for example, drink sweet soda. In addition, white sugar contributes to the development of inflammatory processes in the tissues, thereby provoking the appearance of severe chronic diseases.
5. Sedentary lifestyle. Hypodinamy is the path to the emergence of a whole bunch of diseases. Physical loads stimulate the production of endorphins (hormones of joy), accelerate the metabolism, and also positively affect the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. With a sedentary lifestyle, stagnation occurs in the limbs and pelvic organs, which worsens the body’s resistance to infections and inflammatory processes.
6. Antibiotics. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics harms health. One of the side effects of antibiotics is the violation of normal intestinal microflora. Much of the immunity is concentrated in the intestine, and microflora plays an important role here.
How to help immune system?
Strong immunity is, first of all, a way of life, which should be adhered to constantly. In order to resist colds, the following lifestyle recommendations should be adhered to:
1. Eliminate bad habits. Alcohol and smoking are enemies of the immune system. If you smoke or drink, then try to get rid of these habits. It is permissible to drink 1 glass of dry red wine, if you have no contraindications.
2. Eat healthy food. The main requirement - food should be natural. Avoid fast food, semi-finished products, as well as products containing preservatives, flavors and dyes. For normal activity of immunity it is necessary to eat 4-5 different vegetables and fruits a day, and also to take useful polyunsaturated fatty acids, contained in sea fat fish, olive and linseed oil.
3. Go in for sports. Movement is life. Every day a person must pass a minimum of 8-10 kilometers. Long walks, jogging, swimming and other sports will keep your body toned. Your body will be grateful to you for this.
4. Also very helpful are herbal additives which almost don’t have side effects because of its natural composition. The most popular are ayurvedic formulations like Septilin or others of the same manufacturer and as reviews show they are really helpful in cold period of year.
In terms of preventing epidemics of influenza, vaccination plays an important role. According to the flu, there is no 100% guarantee that a timely vaccine will save you from the disease, but such a measure will significantly reduce the likelihood of developing seasonal influenza and its complications.
