Immune System

Published Nov 21, 2021

You are aware of the feeling. Your nose is either blocked or leaky, and your head feels as though it’s trapped in a vise. Because your eyes are puffy and irritated, it feels best to keep them closed. Additionally, your throat feels as though you’ve swallowed nails.

Sinus difficulties can be rather unpleasant. So if you’re wondering how to cure sinus permanently, there are effective natural remedies for sinus infection available to ease the pain and discomfort.

Natural Remedies for Sinus Infection 

Here are the top 10 home remedies for sinus infection that will help speed up your recovery process.

1. Be Aware of Your Triggers

Recognize the factors that can precipitate a cold or sinus infection and be prepared. Antihistamines should be started prior to allergy season, or a Neti pot should be used immediately upon the onset of a cold.

2. Flush Nasal Passages

Flush your nasal passages with a Neti pot, a therapy that utilizes a salt and water mixture. Nasal irrigation with a Neti pot has been a time-tested method of sinus treatment for years. Patients who rely on Neti pots and use them daily or weekly to keep their sinuses clear vouch for this treatment. Keep in mind that you should only use distilled water.

3. Take Vitamin C

Increase your vitamin C intake, along with XSIMPLEX or other home remedies sinus infection. This may aid in the faster resolution of sinus infections, decrease sinus inflammation, and shorten the length of sinus infection or cold symptoms.

Published Nov 1, 2021

Pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the airways that causes an inflammatory disorder of the lungs. This is a terrible ailment that cannot be treated or cured with home remedies.

Certain home remedies, however, may help alleviate symptoms and promote healing during the recovery period. Pneumonia can be fatal. Medical assistance is critical, and many people will require hospitalization. Following that, recovery can take several weeks or months.

While medical care is necessary, home remedies for pneumonia can assist a person in managing their symptoms and increasing their level of comfort when they are not in the hospital.

Causes and Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can develop for a variety of reasons. For instance, it is frequently acquired due to another sickness or infection, such as flu, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COVID-19.

When an individual’s immune system is strong, their body is frequently capable of recovering from pneumonia faster and preventing severe infections.

If fungi, bacteria, or viruses overpower the immune system, a more severe sickness might develop.

Pneumonia’s most common symptoms include the following:

• shortness of breath
• a cough
• headache from persistent cough
• chest pain
• chills
• a fever
• fatigue and muscle aches

Best Home Remedies for Pneumonia Symptoms

A doctor will prescribe medication to treat pneumonia based on the source of the infection.

Additionally, they will recommend the following throughout recovery:

• getting sufficient sleep
• consuming nourishing foods
• drinking plenty of fluids

Additionally, if you’re wondering, “how long does it take to recover from pneumonia?” certain home remedies may aid with symptom management and faster recovery. The next sections will go into greater detail on each of these.

Published Sept 6, 2021

Allergies and immune systems are interrelated to one another. This is because allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to things you’re allergic to. Moreover, our immune responses are to blame for any allergic reactions as they are one of the most common recurring diseases that many people get. 

Take note that if you have a family history of allergies, you are at an increased risk of developing allergic reactions. Fortunately, some allergies are seasonal and may go away as time passes. 

Understanding The Immune System

Every person’s immune system is different as some have weaker immune systems than others. As people get older, the immune system grows stronger. Our immune system consists of cells that protect the body from any threatening germs that they encounter. Additionally, it is designed to recognize germs like viruses, bacteria, or toxins that may be harmful to the body and destroy them. When the immune system detects an allergen, they produce IgE antibodies that fight the bacteria.

Furthermore, the body’s immune system consists of lymphoid organs that develop lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are cells that recognize previous harmful germs. Lymphoid organs can be found in different parts of the body as stated below:

• Adenoids 
• Appendix
• Blood vessels
• Bone marrow
• Peyer’s patches
• Spleen
• Thymus
• Tonsils
• Lymph nodes
• Lymphatic vessels

Understanding Allergies

A person becomes allergic when their body develops antigens, and their immune system recognizes and attacks it even if the substance is harmless. We can get severe allergic reactions from food, air, or whatever comes into contact with our bodies. Even common substances like dirt can activate allergies. 

Here are some of the most common allergens to take note of:

Food

• eggs
• fish
• milk
• wheat
• soy
• peanuts
• tree nuts
• shrimp
• crustacean shellfish

Other possible allergens:

• dust
• pet fur
• medications
• insect stings and bites
• plant pollens
• household chemicals
• metals like nickel, cobalt, chromium, and zinc
• latex

Children, teens, adults, and elders are all prone to suffering from allergies. However, developing allergic diseases are very common in children since their immune systems are also evolving. The common types of allergic diseases for children are allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), atopic dermatitis, and food allergy. 

Take note, though, that people can still develop allergies regardless of their age.

Published Aug 30, 2021

Every person must have experienced having viral infections once in their life. It can happen to anyone here and there since it’s normal for people to easily catch infections, especially if their immune system is weak. However, a chronic virus infection is quite different from having the flu or a common virus. 

A chronic virus is a constantly recurring virus that has developed and has lived in your body for quite some time. This type of virus remains alive and develops in a patient’s body without being aware of it. Many cases of chronic infections are caught when their conditions got worse because the symptoms are subtle. These infections are caused by germs with slow growth rates that stimulate an infection to be persistent and exist for long-term periods.

Symptoms of Chronic Infections

The symptoms of chronic viruses are mostly vague and may even appear normal. Most doctors and physicians have a hard time diagnosing this kind of virus since the symptoms are unnoticeable, and the patient may not recognize it right away. Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Recurrent fevers
• Fatigue
• Mucus production
• Hives
• Skin rashes
• Frequent sore throat
• Postnasal drip or nasal discharge
• Bad breath
• Cough
• Chronic sinus or lung infections
• Chronic yeast infection

Common Chronic Viruses and Infections

• Herpes Simplex I (HSV-I) – Oral Herpes; causes cold sore and fever blister around mouth and face
• Herpes Simplex II (HSV-II) – Genital Herpes
• Herpes Virus 3 – Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) – Infectious Mononucleosis
• Herpes Virus 4 – Cytomegalovirus (CMV) – this type of virus is dangerous as it can damage many organs like the brain, retinas, sinuses, stomach, esophagus, intestines, liver, and skin.
• Herpes Virus 5 – Varicella Virus or Chicken Pox
• Herpes Virus 6 – (HHV6) – Immune system virus
• Hepatitis B Virus – Liver Infection
• Parvo Virus B19 – This infects humans only; causes immunity, skin problems, and 5th disease.
• Coxsackie A & B – Hand, foot, and mouth disease; may be seen often in children.

Effects of Chronic Virus

Chronic virus infections weaken a person’s immune system. A weakened immune system can lead to the patient being more vulnerable to other serious diseases. Having chronic virus infections increases the risk of deadly diseases — like cancer. Some chronic viruses like Herpes Virus 3 or Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) can lead to stomach cancer. Moreover, hepatitis C infection is the leading cause of liver cancer. 

Vulnerable People for this Viral Infection

Chronic viruses or illnesses can infect any age group — young or old. However, the people who are often infected with this kind of disease are workers who care for children or the elderly. Most of them are women since they are known to be good at taking care of people.

Examples of these people are:

• Nurses
• Teachers
• Doctors
• Dentists
• Kids and Older people

Published July 4, 2021

Before we get into the telltale signs of a strong immune system, it’s worth reviewing what justifies a strong immunity. Our immune system serves a single primary function, and its primary goal is to safeguard our body against harmful bacteria that can make us sick.

When our immune system is functioning correctly, our body can detect the presence of antigens. Antigens are foreign substances, such as viruses, that have the potential to make a person ill. Once our immune system detects antigens, it immediately begins working on getting rid of them.

Other indicators of a strong immune system include the fact that your immune system can fight for you by inducing the production of antibodies. Antibodies are unique proteins that can bind themselves to the antigens. 

Following that, T cells (also known as killer cells) can destroy the antigens. Then, when you recover from an illness, it indicates that your immune system was able to identify and successfully fight against the antigens.

1. You Are Always Active And On The Go

You can tell that you have a strong immune system once you can stay energized and on top of your game for the rest of the day. Moreover, you rarely feel exhausted or any joint aches and muscle pain when doing your favorite hobby or sport.

Keep in mind that when an infection is active, our immune system is put to the test. In this state, the system utilizes all available energy sources to perform optimally. 

In another case, excessive immune system activity in the absence of infection can result in the body’s misadapting and misusing energy reserves. For example, chronic inflammation is primarily caused by chronic infection or poor dietary choices such as unhealthy fats, sugar, and processed foods. As a result, when you have a chronic infection or inflammation, your immune system depletes your energy, resulting in fatigue.

Furthermore, chronic joint and muscle pain are strongly associated with the immune system. When the immune system is challenged with an infection, it produces an abundance of inflammatory chemicals and white blood cells. During the early stages, the number of monocytes, another type of white blood cell, increases significantly. These monocytes are responsible for immune system regulation.

However, as the immune system deteriorates and inflammation persists, these monocytes become depleted. Thus, the body gradually enters a chronic pain state, and the joints become chronically inflamed, with swellings and numerous aches and pains. A similar phenomenon occurs in autoimmune diseases, where the immune system fights the body and gradually weakens it, resulting in chronic inflammation. That is why, when it comes to chiropractic care, boosting your immunity is a critical component of joint, muscle, and nerve care.

2. You Don’t Easily Catch Colds, Coughs, or High Fevers

If you suffer from colds, coughs, runny noses, or the flu more than twice a year, you may need to work on strengthening your weak immune system. Numerous viruses and bacteria are responsible for the common cold and dry cough. 

For instance, rhinoviruses are the most prevalent, and, at best, your body can fight them off without exhibiting symptoms. However, the body cannot meet the constant demand for white blood cells with a compromised immune system. This results in persistent respiratory symptoms.

Moreover, another indicator that you have a strong immune system is if you rarely get high fevers or you no longer get them at all. A fever is usually a symptom of an upcoming infection, and in other instances, it may be a warning sign of an impending flare of existing autoimmune disorders. Whatever the cause of a sudden increase in your body temperature, keep in mind that you must always pay attention to your immune system.

Contrary to popular belief that fevers initiate a cascade of activities aiding the immune system to fight infections, many quickly resort to antipyretics –– such as paracetamol –– to relieve the fever. Unfortunately, while it is true that suppressing the fever makes you feel better, it also means that you are hindering a vital natural action that is designed to help preserve your immune function. 

Perhaps the best course of action is to wait out a fever between 37.5’C and 40.5’C, drink plenty of fluids, and let it run its course. However, fevers greater than 41.0’C have been known to cause complications. You must seek medical attention immediately when it comes to this, as this could indicate a severe infection or medical condition.

3. You Rarely Have Tummy Aches or Diarrhea

If you are no longer suffering from typhoid fever or you don’t take Loperamides –– such as Imodium –– to control diarrhea anymore in addition to frequent constipation, then, it is a sign that you now have a strong immune system. 

This is because your gut, or intestinal microorganisms, is a critical aspect of maintaining a healthy immune system. These beneficial microorganisms aid in the protection of the gut against infection by communicating with the immune system, specifically white blood cells. However, when these beneficial microbes are eliminated, harmful microbes overpopulate, irritate the gut, and result in tummy aches and diarrhea. Therefore, required signals to fight off infections are lost, effectively weakening the immune system.

4. Your Stress Levels Are Low

The more stressors in your life, the more likely it is that you will have a weakened immune system. This is because prolonged and chronic release of the stress hormone, Cortisol, suppresses the lymphocyte T-cell response. These lymphocytes (white blood cells) are the body’s primary infection-fighting cells. 

Is it then surprising that someone becomes ill following a large project or unexpected financial loss? It is crucial to limit your exposure to stress in order to avoid impairing your immune response to frequent infections. Additionally, with continuous cortisol release, the body becomes accustomed to elevated cortisol levels, resulting in chronic inflammation.

5. Your Wounds Heal Faster 

The immune system is essential in the healing of skin wounds. The wound healing process is divided into four sequential stages, and each of these stages requires various immune cells and important cell mediators to function properly in skin repair. As a result, any disruptions to this process result in inadequate wound healing. Notable factors impairing immune function and, thereby, delaying wound healing include the following:

Local Factors (can be found at the wound area):

• Amount of oxygen your blood carries
• Wound infection 

Systemic Factors (can be found in the body):

• Age – The elderly
• Sex Hormones – Elderly males
• Stress
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Medications, like Prednisolone, short term use of NSAIDs, Chemotherapy drugs
• Obesity
• Smoking – Cigarettes and Tobacco
• Nutrition – Deficiency in Proteins –– most specifically, Arginine, Glutamine, Collagen –– Vitamin C, E, and Fatty Acids

6. No More Infections

If you frequently have infections, your immune system may be communicating with you that it is having some trouble protecting your body. For example, treating malaria or typhoid fever, vaginal discharges, respiratory and urinary tract infections repeatedly within a year is not normal. 

In other words, if you are often ill and feel the need to see a doctor, this usually indicates that your body is unable to fight off invading microorganisms. This is a clear sign of weak immunity, and you must work to strengthen it and improve your overall health status.

7. Your Skin Looks Great

Lipids are fat compounds found in our skin tissue. These long-chained lipids contribute to the formation of a barrier that prevents irritants, unwanted organisms from entering, and prevents water from escaping your skin as well. 

when your immune system is constantly under attack, such as during an infection, the lipids are unable to function efficiently. In effect, water is drained from the skin, leaving it dry and cracked. Thus, it allows undesirable bacteria and fungi to enter, causing acne and eczema. So, if you notice that your skin is flaking, itchy, or dry, or if you develop boils easily, you may want to strengthen your immune system.

8. You’re Not Taking Any Medication For Any Illnesses

If you are no longer taking antibiotics or malaria medication more than twice a year, then you may already have a strengthened immune system. 

This is because it is not healthy to constantly take one medication or another to alleviate symptoms that recur. Why? Because…

• Chronic antibiotic use can result in diarrhea 
• Excessive paracetamol can cause liver problems 
• NSAIDs, such as Diclofenac, can cause kidney problems and stomach ulcers 

Having said that, keep in mind that your immune system is perfectly designed to assist you in fighting germs without requiring external assistance, such as the use of medications.