How to strengthen immunity in the fall: useful tips

Many have noticed the fact that in the fall the frequency of colds increases several times. Influenza epidemics, most often, also occur in the autumn. Why autumn? In the spring, needless to say, hypovitaminosis sets in due to the prolonged absence of fruits and most vegetables in the winter. But in the autumn, it would seem, there should be a lot of vitamins in the body, why does the immune system suffer? Can I protect myself from a cold?

How to strengthen immunity in the fall

What is immunity?

Immunity is a whole body system that protects us from the effects of harmful environmental factors. It is divided into two main types: specific and non-specific. The first includes humoral substances or immunoglobulins. These are antibodies that act only on certain antigens. Each pathogen has its own immunoglobulins. It is this type of immunity that allows us not to get sick with chickenpox, scarlet fever, rubella, and other diseases to which resistant immunity develops.

However, the causative agents of colds are not able to cause a long-term immune response, so we can tolerate a cold several times a year. In this case, non-specific immunity is included. It is he who is responsible for the fact that some people get sick more often than others.

Nonspecific immunity - these are the cells that guard our health. They recognize any pathogen and cause immune reactions that should prevent the disease from developing. Decrease in nonspecific immunity leads to the fact that the body becomes vulnerable to colds.

In addition, there are barrier factors whose main task is to prevent the pathogenic agent from entering the body. These are cells of the skin, respiratory and digestive systems, as well as substances on the surface of these cells. For example, the airways are lined with ciliary epithelium. Cilia are in constant motion, as if sweeping out unnecessary substances from the surface of the respiratory tract. It also contains cells that produce mucus, which sticks together pathogenic factors. Thus, lumps of harmful substances, pathogens and mucus leave the body under the action of cilia.

Why immunity decreases in the fall

It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of a decrease in immunity in the fall. Most likely, several predisposing factors exert their influence at once, but the main one is weather. And it's not just rains and dampness. The main causes of decreased immunity are as follows:

  1. The growth of aggressiveness of pathogens. Many viruses and bacteria like the weather of spring and autumn. They do not like direct sunlight and cold, but they like dampness and average temperature. Simply put, in the fall our body is confronted with so many pathogens that the immune system may simply not cope with them all.
  2. Wet feet. Everyone knows that wet feet are the main cause of a sore throat, but not everyone knows why. Hypothermia of the feet reflexively causes a spasm of the vessels of the larynx and pharynx and hypoxia of the tissues of these organs. Firstly, tissues under hypoxia are more permeable to pathogenic pathogens. Secondly, after ischemia, there is an increase in the filling of blood with capillaries, which have already increased their permeability and so inflammation occurs.
  3. Cold air. Inhalation of cold air (especially if you breathe through your mouth, not your nose, in which the air warms and disinfects) leads to the same result as wet feet.
  4. Hypovitaminosis. Many mistakenly believe that the vitamins consumed in the summer are stored in the body until spring.In fact, some of these substances do not have a depot in the body at all. That is, vitamins are enough only when we constantly use them. First of all, it concerns vitamin C.
  5. Unhealthy diet. What do we eat most often in the summer? Salads, barbecue or other goodies. And sometimes we even go on a diet to hit everyone on the beach with our figure. Such a diet leads to a decrease in the body's supply of protein substances, and immunity works, first of all, at their expense. Moreover, the proteins are consumed gradually and their deficiency begins to appear only in the fall.
  6. Lack of fresh air. It is pleasant to sit in a warm room and watch the rain from the window, and soak your feet so there is less chance. However, in a stuffy indoor environment, the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms can be quite high.

Despite the fact that these reasons for the decrease in immunity affect everyone, some people still manage to maintain their health. It is worth remembering that children, the elderly, smokers, people suffering from chronic diseases and obesity are most susceptible to immunity.

Are there any ways to increase immunity?

It is worth saying right away that further we will talk about increasing immunity with a slight deviation from the norm. That is, compliance with these rules will not help people with acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). With a decrease in immunity due to a specific disease, treatment of the disease that has become the root cause is necessary.

Those who care about a seasonal decrease in immunity, you can try to increase it in the following ways:

  1. Proper nutrition. Despite the banality of this advice, it really is of great importance. You should eat as much protein food as possible. At the same time, it is better to give preference to boiled and baked meat. Also, do not forget about seasonal vegetables and fruits.
  2. Daily regime. This item is important at any time of the year. Compliance with sleep / wakefulness and work / rest, can strengthen not only the immune system, but also the nervous system.
  3. Walks in the open air. It is important to go out every day and spend in the fresh air for at least half an hour, regardless of weather conditions. It is enough to dress appropriately so as not to get wet or freeze.
  4. Vitamin C This wonderful substance reduces the permeability of tissues and is an antioxidant that strengthens all parts of the immune system. A large amount of this vitamin is found in herbs, citrus fruits, apples. In addition, coniferous drinks are record holders for vitamin C content.
  5. Phytotherapy. To strengthen the immune system, broths from mountain ash, echinacea or dog rose are perfect. To do this, it is enough to fill the selected plant with water at a rate of 1:10, boil for 15 minutes, and then leave to stand for 40 minutes. Drink daily a total of a glass per day.
  6. Medications. There are many immunostimulants, many of which, in addition, have antiviral activity. It is worth paying attention to such drugs as: amiksin, arbidol, immunal, fluferferon, moliksan, cycloferon. They should be taken after consulting a doctor and according to his appointment.
  7. Rejection of bad habits. Smoking, drinking alcohol, addiction to sweets - all this reduces immunity. It is worth to be patient and abandon what is harmful to your health.

We can conclude that immunity is a complex system that protects our body from diseases, but it itself depends on many factors. Our lifestyles, habits, behaviors, and even weather, can reduce defense mechanisms. In the fall, immunity suffers the most, but diseases can be avoided by following simple rules of behavior.

Video: super recipe for immunity

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