This can be seen throughout the world. No matter what it may be: money or relationships, it is only when we lose access to them that we begin to realize their importance. This tendency is perhaps most visible in the matter of personal health. All it takes are a few hours spent in bed due to common cold or stomach pain – that’s when we realize what a blessing it is to have a decent health.
Staying healthy is a tricky business. Your body is bombarded with foreign particles every minute of the day. Germs can sneak into your body through your various bodily orifices and cause havoc. The only thing stopping such threats is your immunity, which is the product of your immune system.
What is immunity?
Immunity is a characteristic in living organisms which defends the body’s own cells from foreign particles. Having adequate immunity is a state of balance, a hyperactive immunity leads to allergies and autoimmune reaction while inadequate immunity greatly increases the risk of infection and ill health. Immunity is found in most known organisms. Even single-celled bacteria have enzymes which protect them from bacteriophages. In higher mammals like human beings, immunity is a multi-level and complex faculty involving many enzymes, organs and specialized cells.
Types of immunity
1. Innate immunity: This is the most basic kind of protection offered by the immune system. Innate immunity seeks out and destroys harmful microorganisms. This kind of immunity is non-specific, which targets a specific set of germs based on common characteristics. This makes it effective against a wide range of pathogens.
2. Adaptive immunity: Part of the immune system is capable of learning from germs it is encountered for the first time. It develops a naturally acquired immunity to such pathogens. This aspect of human immunity can be further bolstered by Artificially Acquired Immunity, through the use of vaccination. Adaptive immunity works best against specific germs.
First reaction to a germ
One of the first responses of your immunity upon encountering a pathogen is called Inflammation. This reaction causes redness, swelling and produces heat. At times, inflammation also causes pain. Blood supply to the affected region increases dramatically due to inflammation. This allows disease-fighting white blood cells to surround the area and destroy germ particles.
Problems with immunity
When the immune system begins to function abnormally, such a situation leads to immune disorders. These are essentially of 3 types:
1. Immunodeficiencies: When parts of your immunity become inactive for long periods, it is called immunodeficiency. Your immune system is not able to fight infection as it could earlier. This greatly increases the risk of ill health. Usually, this condition is seen among young children and the elderly.
2. Autoimmunity: An overactive immunity can also be called dysfunctional. In such a situation, your immune system begins to attack and destroy the body’s own healthy cells. Genetic and environmental factors are highly influential in increasing the risk of an autoimmune reaction. This kind of dysfunction can cause enormous pain along with loss of organ and joint function.
3. Hypersensitivity: A hypersensitive immunity can cause serious damage to the body’s own cells. This kind of reaction is usually associated with allergies. Hypersensitivity can lead to grave discomfort and in some cases lead to death.
Signs of dysfunctional immunity
• Frequent illness and infection
• Inflammation of the skin or the internal organs
• Low platelet count in the blood or anaemia
• Digestive problems such as loss of appetite, nausea or diarrhoea
• Delayed growth of the body
Associated complications
Complications caused by improper immune function are:
• Autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis or Psoriasis
• Damage to vital organs like the heart, lungs or nervous system
• Retarded growth
• Heightened risk of cancer
• Death from serious infection
What you can do
If you have observed two or more symptoms associated with immune dysfunction, then you should waste no time in visiting a specialised clinic and consult the experts and doctors. Before you go, you can help the doctor in his diagnosis by writing down your symptoms. Remember to take hospital records or medical test reports with you. Make a list of medications which you are taking at present. Do not hesitate to share your family health history, daily diet, general lifestyle and unhealthy habits (like smoking, etc.) with your doctor. This will not only help in swift diagnosis but also shorten the recovery period.
By Khalid Md. Saifullah
Naturoveda Health World
Note: Being at the forefront of treating chronic diseases, Naturoveda Health World utilises the unique combination of Fundamentals of Ayurveda, Unani and Therapeutic Yoga. These time-tested procedures not just tackle the symptoms, but also eradicate the root cause of the disease. The Naturovedic treatment is completely safe, highly effective and pocket-friendly as well. To contact Naturoveda, call on 1800 258 6666 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 96744 26666.
www.naturoveda.com
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