Why weak immune system

A few lifestyle changes and new habits can naturally keep your immune system strong and healthy:. Get information on a variety of health conditions, disease prevention, and our services and programs. It's advice from our physicians delivered to you on your time. Sign up for the Health and Wellness Newsletter.

Author : Nadia Hasan, DO. About this Blog Get information on a variety of health conditions, disease prevention, and our services and programs. Date Archives Year Share This Page: Post Tweet. When an immune system is hyperactive , it responds to environmental substances such as mold, dust, and pollen.

Autoimmune disease. When you have an autoimmune disease your body is unable to distinguish the difference between your own cells and foreign cells or potentially harmful antigens , causing the immune system to work against itself. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders , including but not limited to type 1 diabetes , lupus, celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Although there's still research to be done, exercise, diet, and psychological stress have been proven to affect the immune system. For immunocompromised individuals, improving the immune system isn't as simple. Depending on why you're immunocompromised , a weakened immune system could be permanent. If you're immunocompetent aka you have a working immune system , here are a few things you can do to get your immune system in gear.

Eat a balanced diet. Incorporating more fruits and veggies , fiber-rich foods, prebiotics garlic, onions, leeks, etc. To ensure you're doing all that you can to boost your immune system , you should eat plenty of:.

Get an adequate amount of sleep. When you're asleep, your body unleashes its healing powers — aka protective cytokines. Protective c ytokines are proteins that are released during sleep to help your body do two things: Encourage sleep and fight off infection. Sleep deprivation reduces the number of protective cytokines your body produces , making it harder for it to fight off infection.

Stress management. If not managed, stress can wreak havoc on your health. Stress can affect your body, mood, and behavior. Effective stress relievers include:. Practice good personal hygiene.

The best way to keep your immune system intact is to start at the source: Your body. By following good personal hygiene habits, you can stop an infection before it begins. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped clumps of immune system cells. They are connected by lymphatic vessels. They contain white blood cells that trap viruses, bacteria, and other invaders, including cancer cells.

White blood cells are the cells of the immune system. They are made in one of your lymph organs such as the spleen or thymus, and in the bone marrow. When your immune system doesn't work the way it should, it's called an immune system disorder. You may:. Get a disease that weakens your immune system.

This is called acquired immune deficiency. Have an immune system that is too active. This may happen with an allergic reaction. Have an immune system that turns against you. This is called autoimmune disease. Severe combined immunodeficiency SCID. This is an example of an immune deficiency that is present at birth. Children are in constant danger of infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Children with SCID are missing important white blood cells. This disease is deadly without treatment.