100 Ways to Boost Your Immune System. Theresa Cheung
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Название: 100 Ways to Boost Your Immune System
Автор: Theresa Cheung
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Здоровье
isbn: 9780007361113
isbn:
In many cases, auto-immune disorders cause the destruction of body tissue, resulting in the decreased functioning of an organ or tissue, or several organs or tissues. Examples of auto-immune disorders include:
Chronic fatigue syndrome: A condition of prolonged weariness and fatigue that is not relieved by rest or caused by other medical conditions. Experts aren’t sure what causes it but one theory is that it is caused by some sort of auto-immune response.
Diabetes (Type 1): A disease that occurs when the pancreas produces too little insulin to regulate blood sugar. Symptoms include increased thirst, weight loss, fatigue and increased urination.
Multiple sclerosis: An auto-immune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Symptoms include fatigue, tremors and weakness in one or more extremities.
Pernicious anaemia: Caused by the lack of a substance needed to absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal track. Symptoms include fatigue, unsteady gait and bleeding gums.
Rheumatoid arthritis: A painful long-term disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues.
Most auto-immune disorders are chronic but can be controlled with medication. The outcome of treatment will vary with the disorder but the aim is to reduce the immune response against normal body tissue while leaving intact the immune response against invading antigens.
Allergic disorders occur when the immune system over-reacts to exposure to substances in the environment and triggers defence mechanisms such as swelling, watery eyes and sneezing. The substances that provoke this over-reaction are called allergens, and over-reactions to allergens are typically controlled by medications called antihistamines.
When an allergen enters the body of a person with a sensitive immune system, histamine and other chemicals are released by certain cells. It is these that cause itching, swelling, watery mucus production, skin rashes and other symptoms. Such symptoms are inconvenient and unpleasant but are not life-threatening; treatment generally involves the use of medications, such as antihistamines. Sufferers can also take steps to reduce their exposure to known allergens.
The most common allergic disorders include:
Asthma: A respiratory disorder that involves an allergic response by the lungs and can cause breathing problems. If the lungs are sensitive to certain allergens, such as pollen or dust mites, this can trigger a narrowing of the breathing tubes in the lungs, making it hard for the person to breathe. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, stress, smoke and other pollutants.
Eczema: An over-sensitive reaction that occurs in the skin and causes a scaly, itchy rash. Exposure to environmental irritants can worsen symptoms, as can dry skin, exposure to water, temperature changes and stress. Consult your doctor for a diagnosis of eczema because it can be hard to differentiate from other skin disorders.
Food allergies (to products such as nuts), seasonal allergies (such as hay fever) and environmental allergies (to organisms such as dust mites). All of these are also caused by an over-sensitive immune system, which leads to an incorrect immune response when the immune system reacts to allergens or substances that are generally harmless.
A large number of health problems can be linked to an under-par immune system. On the surface, the symptoms of hay fever may seem quite different from the painful, inflamed joints of arthritis or the wheezing of asthma. They are all triggered, however, by an immune system that is struggling to cope with the pressures being placed on it.
There are a number of reasons why your immune system may be compromised or struggling. It is important to understand that in the majority of cases your immunity can be weakened or strengthened by factors within your control. Although the immune system is less efficient in children and the elderly, even the most susceptible person can boost their immune system by:
keeping up to date with vaccinations
avoiding common enemies of immunity
heeding the warning signs of an immune system under pressure
making the right diet and lifestyle choices.
Your doctor can help you stay healthy by offering you appropriate vaccinations to reduce your risk of getting infected with diseases that are potentially life-threatening. Many vaccines are given in childhood, but adults can also be vaccinated to prevent illness such as tetanus and influenza.
Your body can become immune to bacteria, viruses and other germs by getting a disease – this is called natural immunity. Immunity can also be developed through vaccines – vaccine-induced immunity. Vaccines work by stimulating an immune response without causing disease. Several doses of a vaccine may be needed for a full immune response and it should be noted that vaccines are not free of possible side effects, which often include swelling at the injection site or a mild fever.
Vaccines are the first line of defence against diseases such as polio, measles, tetanus, mumps, rubella, influenza and diphtheria. Were it not for the widespread use of vaccines, a far greater number of deaths would have occurred in childhood, and a great many more people would be living with the chronic and crippling after-effects of disease.
Despite the proven benefits of vaccines there is public concern about their safety and possible side effects, but vaccination continues to be strongly recommended by doctors because gaining natural immunity involves considerable risk.
Vaccination is generally considered by health experts to be the right thing to do as it protects you as well as others. If you have any concerns about vaccinations for which you or your child are eligible, however, it is important to discuss them with your doctor before you come to an informed decision. You can also look at the following website: www.immunisation.nhs.uk. This is an up-to-date source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK. Whatever you decide, remember that the overwhelming majority of evidence and research suggests that vaccinations save lives.
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