A lot of questions about immunity come to me. Like everything in our body, the immune system is also not fully understood.
The name immunity itself comes from the Latin word immunitas, which means liberation. And this very clearly reflects the essence of the work of this system. It frees the body from something foreign, harmful and dangerous. Sometimes, as a result of a failure, the immune system begins to fight with its own, relatives.
But initially it is geared towards recognizing and removing foreign substances and cells, including bacteria and viruses.
The immune system has a kind of "memory", therefore we suffer from many terrible diseases only once in our life.
Immunity is congenital and acquired.
Congenital immunity - this is the most valuable inheritance, works from the first minute of our life. In its arsenal are receptors on the surface or inside cells that interact with foreign agents (or parts of them) and trigger the inflammation (defense) system.
Acquired immunity produced after a person has had a certain disease and has formed an army in the form of antibodies. Now he is ready for a new meeting with this disease without loss of health.
The cells of the immune system are actively involved in this process. For example, B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies. There are T-cells, T-killers - the name of the role of activity is clear. In addition to these cells, there are also neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, which turn into macrophages. But this is already the jungle in which not only thoughts are lost, but also interest.
There is also natural (congenital and acquired) and artificial immunity. If we figured out a little with the natural, then a few words must be said about the artificial. This is just a question of vaccinations.
Artificial active - this is when a vaccine is used containing weakened or killed microbes, their toxins or some proteins of enemies, stimulating the body's immune system to recognize these pathogens and develop an "army" and memory for these agents. For example, the tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), which everyone gets in the hospital, is such an active vaccine.
There is a hypothesis that Germany, Russia and some other countries where they are vaccinated with such a vaccine are not as severely ill with coronavirus as in other countries. Whether this is so is not yet clear, but there are such observations. Now WHO is trying to dissuade everyone from urgently vaccinating with BCG.
Artificial passive immunity - use serum with ready-made antibodies. Thus, we are inoculated with immunity, for example, against tetanus or diphtheria.
How to understand if everything is in order with your immunity?
If you are often sick and during the cold season you have 3-5 SARS, then there is nothing to brag about.
Should I drink immunostimulants or immunomodulators?
I don't think so. Their usefulness is very questionable.
Therefore, the best way to improve immunity - to purposefully improve overall health.
Lose weight - this way you reduce inflammation in the adipose tissue.
Establish daily rhythms - it is extremely important to go to bed before 23 o'clock, so you stop overstimulating the synthesis of cortisol, and this is the generalissimo of the immune system.
Increase physical activity - in this way you will increase the status of your immune system, expand its "powers".
Start eating right and quit smoking - well, everything is clear.
In the off-season and during periods of epidemics, I advise you to take adaptogens - ashwagandha, Chinese lemongrass, multivitamins, eleutherococcus. There is no worthy research on their effectiveness either, but these are not drugs that can grossly interfere with the immune system and disrupt its work.
Your Doctor Pavlova
