Immunity - Causes And Symptoms Of Decreased Immunity

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Immunity

Causes, symptoms and ways to raise reduced immunity

The existence and full functioning of the human body is possible only due to its harmonious interaction with the rich microbial world. It can influence a person in different ways, in some cases becoming a saving element, in others - a direct threat to life. The only fair judge who is able to correctly assess the intent of the contacting microbe is healthy immunity. But, unfortunately, not everything is so simple with him.

Content:

• Symptoms of a weakened immune system
• Causes of decreased immunity
• Diseases of the immune system
• How to improve the body's immunity?
• How to improve immunity after antibiotics?
• How to boost immunity after chemotherapy?

Symptoms of a weakened immune system

The constancy of the immune system depends on many internal factors of the functioning of the body and external environmental influences. They are capable of both positively affecting its capabilities and negatively. In the second case, this will necessarily manifest itself with certain signs of a decrease in immunity, which include:

• Frequent respiratory and colds and viral diseases. For children, this is more often than four times a year. Adults in this case get sick more than 2-3 times;
• ARVI with a long and severe course;
• Persistent pustular skin lesions;
• Recurrent purulent-septic surgical infections of soft tissues (boils, phlegmon, carbuncles, abscesses);
• Swollen lymph nodes;
• Fungal infection of nails, skin and mucous membranes (onychomycosis, candidiasis);
• Tuberculosis infection in any form and manifestation;
• Resistant to treatment and constantly recurrent diseases of the respiratory tract, sinuses, urinary system;
• Poor wound healing;
• General weakness, pallor of the skin and reduced resistance to any external influences.

All of these conditions are a consequence of a decrease in immunity. But, no less relevant is the immune imbalance, which manifests itself in various allergic and autoimmune diseases.

Causes of decreased immunity

Given the complex organization of the immune system, there are more than enough reasons for a decrease in its function.

Lifestyle reasons:

• Unbalanced diet, lasting for a long time;
• Hypovitaminosis and anemia;
• Incorrectly dosed physical activity, both in the direction of excess and physical inactivity;
• Neurosis, irritability and disturbance of normal sleep;
• Bad habits: smoking, drug addiction, alcohol abuse;
• Living or staying in areas with an increased background radiation;
• Toxic effects of chemical compounds and industrial emissions.

Reasons associated with the presence of diseases:

• Pathology of the blood system (leukemia, lymphoma);
• Severe liver damage;
• Diarrhea with malabsorption syndrome and impaired intestinal absorption;
• Renal proteinuria, leading to excess excretion of circulating immunoglobulins;
• Uremia and progressive hepatic renal failure;
• Any long-term current diseases, infections and injuries;
• HIV infection;
• Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies;
• Oncological diseases;
• Long-term antibiotic therapy;
• Aggressive chemotherapy for tuberculosis or oncopathology;

• Severe operations and injuries;
• Worm infestation and intestinal parasites.

Diseases of the immune system

In this context, it is advisable to consider immunodeficiency states, since the imbalance of the immune system occurs in various somatic pathologies and is secondary. As for primary immunodeficiencies, caused precisely by diseases of the immune organs, it is worth highlighting the following:

1. Breakdown of cellular immunity. These include DiGeorge's syndrome (thymic hypoplasia), Duncan's syndrome (hypersensitivity and susceptibility to the Epstein-Barr virus, and mononucleosis), various congenital fermentopathies in the antibody synthesis system;

2. Defects of humoral immunity. The most common are Bruton's syndrome (deficiency of immunoglobulins of all classes), selective immunoglobulin deficiency, isolated hyperimmunoglobulinemia (increased levels of certain abnormal antibodies);
3. Combined immunodeficiencies: reticular dysgenesis (aplasia of all immune tissues), defective lymphocyte syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich disease (immunodeficiency, combined with bleeding and skin eczema);
4. Gitlin's syndrome - a decrease in the general level of immunity with impaired growth and development of the body;
5. Louis Bar disease is a genetic disorder that manifests itself as a mild immune imbalance and abnormal vascular development;
6. Neutropenia of hereditary and acquired origin: Kostman agranulocytosis, cyclic neutropenia. They are accompanied by either a complete absence or a critical decrease in the level of neutrophilic blood leukocytes.

Secondary immunodeficiencies occur in various diseases that are not hereditary. The most striking example of secondary damage to the immune system is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which deliberately affects cellular immunity, namely killer T cells. Other types of immunodeficiency are a consequence of hematological cancer.

Do not forget about the imbalance of the immune system, which becomes the cause of autoimmune aggression in relation to one's own tissues. This is possible with lupus erythematosus, allergic reactions, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis. With all these diseases, there is no immunodeficiency, but their prolonged course leads to the depletion of the body's immune resources.

Artificial immunity

In some cases, even the most flawless immune system is not able to resist pathogenic microorganisms with high virulent properties. These include diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, viral hepatitis and others. This necessitates preliminary preparation of the body for possible contact with such a pathogen, which is achieved by vaccination. It can be carried out in two versions: active and passive.

Active immunity is achieved by the introduction of vaccines - preparations containing live, weakened, killed microorganisms or their individual components (proteins, antigens). Their introduction during the period of absolute well-being in the body leads to the development of specific antibodies with the formation of stable immunity in the event of repeated contact with a real pathogen.

Passive immunity can be provided only by the introduction of specific immune sera - preparations containing ready-made antibodies against pathogens or their toxins. Their introduction may be required in cases of the presence of signs of the disease, when only this event can save a person's life.

Humoral immunity

Humoral immunity is that part of the immune response that is achieved by the synthesis of antibodies by immune cells. The main tissues responsible for this process are the B-lymphocytes of the lymph nodes. The immunoglobulins of classes A, M, G, E, as well as the complement system (chains of specific immune proteins) provide humoral immunity. Different types of immunoglobulins are involved in the process of the immune response at different periods of the disease.

The role of humoral factors of immune surveillance in the recognition, binding and partial inactivation of pathogenic agents or their components. After that, they are presented to T cells, which are responsible for cellular immunity and the final inactivation of the pathogen. The complement system acts as an intermediary in this process.

How to improve the body's immunity?

Helping the immune system breathe new life is not easy, but possible. For this, an integrated approach must be used. Every little thing matters.

• Normalization of lifestyle, nutrition and sleep, especially if they are the causes of immunodeficiency.
• Elimination of the causes that could provoke an immune imbalance.
• Adequate treatment of existing chronic diseases.
• Rejection of bad habits.
• Taking multivitamin complexes (duovit, vitrum) or individual vitamins (A, C, E).
• Taking medicinal plants belonging to the group of immunomodulators (echinacea, plantain, bee products).
• Strict implementation of the medical recommendations of specialists in the medical treatment of diseases of the immune system.

The bath takes a special place in maintaining the body's immune abilities at a high level. The main condition that must be met in case of choosing it as a restorative measure is the absence of medical contraindications or individual intolerance to high temperatures. The therapeutic effect of the bath in relation to immunity is to stimulate blood circulation in all organs and tissues, which contributes to the elimination of chronic foci of infection, the elimination of toxic products, and the acceleration of the synthesis of immunoglobulins.

Body hardening is an equally important attribute in the immunomodulation system. But the important thing here is not to overdo it. Only consistent and gradual hardening can help. Otherwise, immunity, on the contrary, will decrease even more. In no case should you start from too low temperatures. Their gradual reduction by means of air baths and water procedures will increase resistance to harmful environmental factors, activate the body's reserve resources.

Drug therapy for immunodeficiency states should be aimed at the link in which the breakdown is located. Uncontrolled intake of immunomodulators should not be allowed due to the high risk of developing immune imbalance and autoimmune aggression. Lack of cellular immunity is an indication for the appointment of thymoline, polyoxidonium, lycopid. Disorders of the humoral link require replacement therapy with immunoglobulins (sandoglobulin, intraglobin, pentaglobin).

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How to improve immunity after antibiotics?

It's no secret that antibiotics cause a decrease in immunity. But do not forget that the degree of its severity depends on the type and duration of taking these drugs. If they were introduced in a small course against the background of an acute illness, then you should not panic. Routine adherence to lifestyle recommendations will bring the immune system back to normal.

It's another matter if the intake was long-term and the body was greatly weakened against this background. First of all, the intestinal immune system suffers. Therefore, it is advisable to prescribe probiotics that restore normal microflora. Special emphasis is placed on vitamin preparations and enhanced nutrition. It should be fortified with protein and fortified foods. taking immunomodulators should be coordinated only with a qualified specialist. Independent introduction into the natural and regular processes of the immune system can cause irreparable consequences.

How to boost immunity after chemotherapy?

For those patients who have received chemotherapy, it is very difficult to help increase immunity with simple dietary recommendations. In most cases, medical correction is required. Preparations based on echinacea, bee products, homeopathic remedies (echinacea-compositum, immunoflazid), amino acid components (imunofan), interferon preparations (cycloferon, roncoleukin, laferon) have proven themselves quite well in practice. It is better if their use is monitored by a doctor, taking into account immunograms.

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Considering that chemotherapy is toxic not only to immune cells, it is worth paying attention to general strengthening and hepatoprotective drugs. It is advisable to take Essentiale, Gepadif, Carsil, Metamax, complex B vitamins (Milgama, Neurobeks). It is very important to restore the liver, as it is responsible for the synthesis of the building material for immunoglobulins.

Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist

Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.