New Delhi: If you are wondering whether your immunity is dead, considering that you have been in and out of OPDs the entire season, join the queue. There are many who feel that their immunity is weakening every fall/winter season. Some say it is a phenomena they have picked up ever since they suffered from Covid, others blame it on the pollution levels that are growing stronger by the day. Whatever it is, experts say it is commonplace for one to be in and out of hospitals with similar concerns of influenza followed by breathing difficulties. Why is this happening and is there a way out to maintain decent immunity? We ask experts to answer and this is what they had to say.
On the dampening of immunity
Dr Sreeja, is a general physician from Hyderabad. She says there are about 7-10 per cent cases in every hospital that are a relapse case. “Which means they visit the hospital or a clinic for the same condition once every fortnight. I have had many of my patients come back every week with a sore throat and fever ailment. They have required different antibiotics each time because the viral infection was stronger the second time. Each infection needs a different line of treatment and hence it is important that patient visits their GP even for common cold concerns. The relapse of a cold is not a new prognosis, we have seen this in most cases of influenza. It does flare up during winter months as moisture and pollution both have a role to play,” she explains.
A relapse also means that the patient undergoes the same symptoms frequently. In such cases, how does one determine which is the stronger one and which was mild? “Almost always the latest instance is the more virulent one. It may be a totally different virus mutation altogether. What happens is that the first time you are exposed to a virus, it enters your body and weakens your immune system. That’s the reason most patients feel weak even days after having recovered. When the immune system is weak, it attracts other infections as well. Sometimes these infections are fought naturally, at other times, one may need medical attention again,” says Dr Sampada Patnaik, an ENT specialist from Noida.
Both Dr Patnaik and Sreeja agree that a weak immune system is the root case for a relapse. But is the immunity becoming weaker as we are getting older? “It has nothing to with age but everything to do with our lifestyle,” they inform in unison.
On factors responsible for a weak immunity
Interestingly both experts point their finger towards drastic lifestyle changes. “Earlier, we used to eat well when we were sick and take ample rest even when we thought the body has fought off the infection. But these days, we are neither conscious of our diet, nor do we rest enough. Both of these are the biggest challenge for general immunity,” says Sreeja. Dr Patnaik is also in consonance but she adds that a sedentary lifestyle is also making immunity weak.
“If the body is not exposed to activities and adequate amount of time in the outdoors, that can have a bearing on overall immunity of the patient as well,” she said.
There are signs that your body immune system needs a reboot. Take a look at them:
Do you tire easily? This is a personal check-list. See if you are getting tired with minimum effort. Is that happening of late? And if this is a frequent thing, you may consider discussing it with your GP in the next visit. You may be put on some immunity boosting supplements.
Are you falling sick every week? Do you end up taking a sick leave from work (or school) almost every week? If yes, it’s time to get your allergy checked. It is also a good time to consider a change in your diet and include immune boosting foods instead. Seek help from a nutritionist you trust and follow that chart for a month to see if there is an noticeable change.
Are you losing appetite and/or weight? Sudden weight loss if you are not engaging in physical activities is bad news for the body. It could start with corroding your immune system. Keep a diary entry with your weights for about a month. If you are losing 1 kg a week without any effort, consult your GP and have some tests done.
Are you irritable or stressed out easily? Another marker for a low immunity is when you start to lose your temper on small things and be generally annoyed. It shows that the body is weak.
There are many other symptoms that point towards an immune system that is going weak. It is a good idea to have a routine check up and supplement your healthy diet with immunity boosting foods and drinks. A weak immune system will not only end up in a relapse condition for ailments, it can lead to something more drastic and that too without any warning.
Dr Patnaik ends this debate with a simple quote – “Onset of winters means there are bound to be many infections in the air. This is a good time to be mindful of your immunity and do things that would help in strengthening it rather than depleting it.” Noted.
It’s the time of the year when seasonal changes will mark the incoming of various viral diseases. Starting from common influenza to the more virulent forms of viral downloads, there is bound to be seasonal flu of all kinds. But do you face a relapse situation when you get out of a common cold, and then you catch another? If so, doctors advise you to not worry as immunocompromise is a common factor these days… Read on Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
