IMMUNITY
we are surrounded by different types of disease causing microorganisms like bacteria and viruses and they keep attacking us but we don’t get infected or fall sick with all the microorganisms.
So the question to be answered is why and how we are safe from many of these infections.
The answer to this question is that our body has different levels of defense system which protects us from many infective diseases. Some of the defense mechanism are discussed below:-
Our skin acts as a defense system and prevents direct entry of harmful microorganisms to our delicate internal organs.
Even if some harmful micro-organism manages to enter inside our body then the acidic body fluid like digestive fluids in our body can destroy it and prevent us from any serious disease.
If the microbe has managed to pass all the above mentioned defense mechanisms then the next protective mechanism is IMMUNITY.
IMMUNITY: It plays a very important role in our body defense mechanism against many microbes.
Our immune system can be divided into two parts :
1) INBORN IMMUNITY
2) ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
INBORN IMMUNITY
Inborn immunity is defined as the immunity in which our body is programmed from our birth and protects us from certain kinds of infections.our inborn immunity is inherited from our parents and it keeps us protected.
Inborn immunity can vary from person to person and some person can be immune to a particular infection and others can get infected from that same microbe and show symptoms of the disease.
ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
As the name suggests acquired immunity is not present from birth like the inborn immunity but it is developed during our lifetime.
In simple words, if we have to explain then the answer will be that it is developed with experience.
It means that when a person gets infected with a microbe for the first time then our immune system starts the process to attack it so that it can save us from serious disease and our immune system also develops a memory for that particular microbe and prevent us from it or produce mild symptoms if we get infected from it next time.
CAUSES OF WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM:
1) UNHEALTHY DIET: In today’s world our food habit has changed a lot and we are more inclined towards fried food, fatty food, canned food, food with preservatives. This food generally lacks vitamins and minerals which are needed to boost our immunity.
2) SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE: Less physical activity is quite common as most work today is an office job done behind the computer so people are not spending time in doing exercise.
3) DISEASES: some diseases are known to affect our immune system and weaken it like AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME) caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus). some other diseases which can weaken disease fighting capacity of the body are diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer.
4) SMOKING AND DRINKING ALCOHOL: Smoking and drinking are bad for health as the chemical present in it prevents the normal functioning of the body and slowly makes our body weak to fight against diseases.
5) SLEEP: Sleep plays a very important role in our normal body functioning and repairing. Less sleep can lead to inadequate repair of damaged cells and it can cause weakness of the body and immune system.
6) STRESS: Physical and emotional stress have a bad effect on the overall development of our body and can weaken the immune system.
7) DEHYDRATION: It is seen that people with dehydration are more affected by infections as water is an important part of our body.
8) MOTHER’S MILK: It is seen that babies who are deprived of mother’s milk are more prone to infection.
9) HYGIENE: people who lead an unhygienic lifestyle are more prone to infections due to constant attack by microbes and it weakens the immunity of the person.
10) PREMATURE BABIES: Babies who are born before full term are more prone to infections as their immune system is still weak to fight against the microbes.
STEPS TO BOOST IMMUNITY:
1) HEALTHY DIET: It is important to follow a healthy diet and include more vegetables and fruits in the diet. our diet should contain necessary vitamins,minerals, proteins, and fibers.
2) TURMERIC MILK: Turmeric has been considered to have antiseptic properties and help in preventing infections by boosting immunity. It can be mixed and drink with milk or lukewarm water.
3) LEMON: Drinking lukewarm lime juice water is good for boosting immunity as they are rich in vitamin C. Other food rich in vitamin C should be included in the diet too like oranges, tomatoes, grapes.
4) GINGER AND GARLIC: Including ginger and garlic in the diet is good as these can help to boost immunity with the help of naturally occurring substances. It can be taken by boiling the water with ginger and garlic together.
5) TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA OR HEART LEAVED MOONSEED: It is also known as GILOY which is considered to be effective in improving immunity. Its juice is easily available and can be taken.
6) EXERCISE: It can help to keep our weight in control and a strong body has strong immune too.
7) SLEEP: It is important to have a good seven to eight hours of sleep as during sleep our body does the repairing job and improves our immunity.
8) STRESS: Its important to remain physically and mentally stress-free to have strong immunity.
9) DISEASES: Many disease are known to worsen the immunity of the patient such as AIDS, Diabetes. So it is important to visit a doctor and get checked so that doctor can advise you proper medicines to improve your health.
10) QUIT SMOKING AND ALCOHOL: These two are known to cause serious health problem and makes the person more prone to infectious disease so it is important to quit smoking cigarette and drinking alcohol.
11) HYGIENE: It is important to maintain hygiene such as taking a bath regularly, washing hands with soap before and after eating. Cleaning the house with disinfectant properly. Wearing clean clothes and washing them with soap properly.
12) WATER: It is very important to keep drinking enough water throughout the day to prevent from getting dehydrated as our body requires water too for normal functioning and it improves our immunity.
13) MOTHER’S MILK: It is important that newborn baby gets mother’s milk as this milk has been found to improve the immunity in babies.
14) PREMATURE BABIES: It is important to take extra care of preterm born babies to prevent them from infections and get doctor’s advice if the baby gets sick.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE: our immune system is very important for our survival and its very important that we keep it strong by following a healthy and hygienic lifestyle.
STAY SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY.
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