The body’s immune system protects the body from many illnesses – some major and others–minor. This gives an essential, indispensable role in maintaining our health. Having a healthy immune system means you are less likely to be always down under the weather despite the various types of stresses imposed on the body.
Why Do You Need A Strong Immune System?
For the above reasons, we must maintain a strong immune system. A weak immune system leaves us more susceptible to coming down with illnesses, including possibly serious ones. To avoid this increased susceptibility by keeping our immune system healthy, we need to recognize the warning signs of a weakened immune system. If we recognize the warning signs, we can take steps to boost our immune systems to a healthier level.
What Pointers Of A Weak Immune System Should You Look Out For?
So, what signs should you be looking out for if you suspect you have a weakened immune system? There are a couple of them. Some are obvious, others not much so (you have to keep careful observation to note them). Below we look at some signs of a weakened immune system that you should be aware of.
1. You Are Under Very High Levels Of Stress
There is a subtle distinction to note here. Being under high-stress levels does not necessarily mean you have a weakened immune system because stress is a usual response to some external or internal factors. However, stress does tend to weaken the immune system. That’s why you tend to fall ill more often when you are undergoing very stressful periods. Stress tends to raise the level of steroids in the body, which has an immunosuppressive effect. If you are frequently under stress, there’s some chance that it may have weakened your immune system. You should, therefore, be more careful with situations that may expose you to illness.
2. Your Wounds Heal Slowly
This is one of the points that may require you to observe yourself closely. Wound healing is a restorative process mediated by different cells of the immune system. When the immune system is weakened, the wound healing process is consequently impeded. If you notice your wounds are taking much longer than usual to heal, it could be a sign you have a weakened immune system.
3. You Are Always Under The Weather
As earlier pointed out, the immune system defends our bodies against many kinds of illnesses. Due to this function, it’s able to ward off many invading organisms, so we don’t fall Ill. However, if you are always catching a cold or other minor illnesses, it is a sign that your body’s immune system is weakened and unable to carry out its functions as well as supposed. Frequent infections also are a possible sign of a weakened immune system. Under normal conditions, the immune system fights off the majority of infection-causing organisms. However, when the immune system is weak, this function is compromised, resulting in a higher infection rate.
4. You Always Feel Tired
Being tired is usually a sign of overexertion. However, suppose you are always tired, especially in the absence of significant physical activity. In that case, it is a possible sign your body’s immune system is weakened or at risk of being depleted.
