Immune System Weakness: Recognizing Signs and Appropriate Responses
In a world where health and wellness are at the forefront of everyone's minds, it's crucial to remember that some individuals have a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to infections. Beyond HIV, cancer, viral hepatitis, and malnutrition, there are several common disorders that can weaken the immune system.
Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDDs) are genetic disorders that impair the development and function of the immune system, ranging from mild to severe and often causing increased frequency and severity of infections. Examples include Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), X-linked Agammaglobulinemia, and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
Post-COVID-19 infection can also lead to a long-lasting immunocompromised state, due to T-cell activation and exhaustion, increasing the risk of secondary infections, including severe respiratory viral infections and fungal infections like mucormycosis. Diabetes, especially uncontrolled diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, predisposes individuals to fungal infections and weakens overall immune defenses against infections.
Conditions requiring immunomodulating drugs or corticosteroids, such as autoimmune diseases, also increase infection risk. Similarly, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease, though characterised by an immune system that may overreact in the gut, treatment often involves immunosuppressive medications, which can compromise immune defenses and increase infection susceptibility.
Beyond these conditions, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for those with a weakened immune system. Regular exercise, though it should not be too intense, too frequent, or for extended periods without stopping to rest, keeps the body healthy and reduces stress levels. Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruit provides essential nutrients that support the immune system, while certain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, folic acid, and zinc have a direct impact on immune function.
Lack of sleep disrupts the normal production of white blood cells, a crucial component of the body's immune system. Adults should aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per day, while infants and children need between 8 and 17 hours of sleep, depending on their age.
Stress can further weaken the immune system, making a person more susceptible to illness. Eating a healthful diet can improve a person's overall well-being, and while it's best to get nutrients from dietary sources, supplements may help with immunity if dietary sources prove challenging.
Lastly, vaccines can prevent a person from getting seriously ill, and doctors generally recommend that most people stay up to date with their vaccines. It's always important to check with a doctor about which vaccines are safe for those with a weakened immune system.
By adhering to these guidelines, individuals with a compromised immune system can take proactive steps to protect their health and maximise their immune function.
- In a health-and-wellness focused world, it's vital to consider individuals with weakened immune systems, who are more prone to infections, beyond chronic diseases like HIV, cancer, and viral hepatitis.
- Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDDs), caused by genetic disorders, hinder the immune system's development and function, ranging from mild to severe, often leading to increased infection frequency and severity.
- Post-COVID-19 infection can result in a prolonged immunocompromised state, potentially leading to secondary infections like severe respiratory viral and fungal infections such as mucormycosis.
- Diabetes, especially uncontrolled or in the state of diabetic ketoacidosis, predisposes individuals to fungal infections and weakens overall immune defenses against infections.
- Conditions requiring immunomodulating drugs or corticosteroids, such as autoimmune diseases, increase infection risk, just like inflammatory bowel diseases treated with immunosuppressive medications.
- To maintain a healthy lifestyle, regular, moderated exercise is crucial, helping keep the body healthy and reduce stress levels.
- A diet rich in vegetables and fruit supplies essential nutrients that support the immune system, and some vitamins like vitamin C, A, D, E, iron, folic acid, and zinc have a direct impact on immune function.
- Lack of sleep disrupts the production of white blood cells, a critical part of the immune system, so adults should aim for at least 7 hours each day, whereas infants and children require more sleep depending on their age.
- Stress can weaken the immune system, making a person more prone to illnesses, and eating a balanced diet can improve overall well-being, while supplements may assist in supporting immunity if dietary sources are difficult.
- Vaccines can guard against getting severely ill, and it is advisable for most people to stay current on their immunizations and vaccines, as long as they are safe for those with a weakened immune system.
- Following these guidelines allows individuals with compromised immune systems to take preventative steps for their health and optimize their immune function proactively.
- Apart from common disorders weakening the immune system, individuals with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, asthma, and depression may also be more prone to infections, difficulty fighting off illnesses, and potential complications of chronic diseases like dry eye (dry) and macular degeneration (degeneration).
- Science and medical research continually improve our understanding of chronic diseases and health-and-wellness conditions, including immune deficiencies, obesity, and mental-health issues, leading to better preventative and predictive care strategies for maintaining immune system health.
- A healthy lifestyle is more important than ever for everyone, not just those with compromised immune systems – fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, mental health, and medical-condition management all play a role in supporting optimal health and wellness.
