Frequent colds in adults. Why does immunity decrease? Hardening and sauna to improve immunity

Normally, an adult should not get a cold more than twice a year during a seasonal ARVI epidemic. If a cough, runny nose, sore throat, rashes on the lips, fever and other cold symptoms occur six times during the year, then such an adult is considered to be frequently ill. What are the causes of frequent colds in adults? This is what we will try to find out.

Not all people have good immunity. City residents most often suffer from influenza diseases. According to statistics, the average city dweller gets sick with colds up to four times a year. Almost a month later in the autumn-winter period, and this is due to several reasons.

Why do adults get very frequent colds? First of all, this is due to large crowds of people: transport, shops, especially pharmacies, where the premises are not ventilated, and people sick with ARVI stand in line for medicine along with those who are still healthy. A person with a weakened immune system - and the majority of them in cities - is constantly at risk, therefore he often gets colds and is forced to take medicines.

What is immunity

Immunity is a biological barrier that prevents a variety of foreign harmful agents existing in the environment from entering the body.

There are other cells, blood proteins, immunoglobulins that neutralize various chemically active molecules.

When a foreign agent does get inside any cell of the body, the human body begins to resist in response, producing a specific cellular protein interferon to end the threat. At this moment, the person's temperature rises. This is additional protection, because many viruses and bacteria are not able to withstand even a slight increase in the temperature of the environment into which they enter.

The body also has an external protective barrier, the so-called This is ours primary protection - beneficial bacteria on the skin, mucous membranes and in the intestines, which kill and prevent pathogens from multiplying. Specific substances and enzymes are like “chemical weapons” that guard human health.

However, these body defenses today do not “work” well enough for many people, and there are reasons for this. Frequent colds on the lips in adults, colds and other diseases are all due to weakened immunity.

Why does the body weaken its protective functions?

Immunity can be reduced due to many factors, such as unfavorable environmental conditions, wrong image life, congenital or acquired chronic diseases, unhealthy diet, bad habits- alcohol and smoking, physical inactivity, stress.

Unfavorable environmental situation

Car exhaust gases contain up to 200 substances that are harmful and even deadly to human health. Today big cities suffer from an overabundance of road transport. Often, not all cars have new, high-quality engines. Many drivers don’t even think about catalysts and neutralizers for automobile emissions. The quality of fuel at regular gas stations leaves much to be desired.

If we add here the emissions from industrial enterprises, then the city air turns into a “cocktail” that simply becomes difficult to breathe.

Polluted air irritates mucous membranes respiratory tract, so to speak, “preparing the ground” for pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Because the first protective barrier of the human body, nonspecific immunity, is largely reduced.

Therefore, diseases such as rhinitis, rashes on the lips, and cough often appear, which are not accompanied by fever, but can last for months.

An equally serious environmental factor is electromagnetic pollution. Electronics - computers, smartphones, monitors, TVs, microwaves- what constantly surrounds us, and without which modern man can no longer imagine life, negatively affects his body. Naturally, immunity decreases.

Wrong lifestyle

To unfavorable ecological situation that reigns in cities, you need to add the wrong lifestyle - bad habits.

For example, smoking greatly aggravates the situation, because tobacco smoke contains more than 4 thousand harmful substances, not just nicotine. It's deadly dangerous poisons, for example, arsenic, polonium-210. All these chemical reagents penetrate the human body, poisoning it for years, “distracting” the body’s immune forces to fight these substances in the first place. The immune response to the invasion of external foreign agents is weak. This can cause frequent coughing in an adult without signs of a cold.

Physical inactivity

Sitting at a computer for a long time in the workplace and at home affects not only your posture and weakened vision. The immune system is mainly affected. After all, the human body is designed for constant movement. When muscles are constantly relaxed, they simply begin to atrophy. There is stagnation of blood and lymph, organs stop working well, and the heart, on the contrary, experiences greater stress. The respiratory organs are especially affected. The volume of the lungs is reduced, the bronchi become “flabby”. Therefore, slight hypothermia can cause illness. And if we add here an unfavorable environmental environment and smoking, the result is obvious.

Poor nutrition

A city dweller is always in a hurry to get somewhere, so he simply has no time to eat properly and fully. Cheap and unhealthy products are used food industry fast food. And this is often fried food, which is usually washed down with sweet drinks, eaten with chocolate bars, etc.

These fatty ones cause harm to the body. They do not contain the necessary vitamins and microelements. The balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is disturbed. Such products are poorly absorbed by the body. He spends too much energy digesting them and fighting the consequences of such nutrition. Accordingly, people who eat such food, especially in large quantities, suffer chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract.

All this weakens the body so much that immune defense It just doesn't cope.

Stress, fatigue

It's no secret that life is not easy these days, constant stress accompanies modern man everywhere. It can cause frequent colds in adults. Inability to relax, calm down, chronic lack of sleep, fatigue, exhaustion - the body's strength is spent excessively.

Sometimes a person just needs to get a good night’s sleep, have proper rest, so as not to injure his health and boost his immunity.

Research by scientists has shown that a positively thinking person suffers less from colds.

How to strengthen your immune system and stop getting colds?

In a situation where a person is needed A complex approach. Powerful immunity consists of many components, so it is necessary not just to temporarily use immunomodulators, but to seriously change your lifestyle.

Daily regime

The reasons for frequent colds in adults lie in an incorrectly structured daily routine. It is necessary to develop a certain regime in order to rest well and eat on time. When a person lives “on a schedule”, in a certain rhythm, it is easier for him to endure stress. Moreover, it excludes many stressful situations, is not late for anything, is not in a hurry, and is not overloaded with work. This lifestyle creates a favorable positive thinking.

Proper nutrition

The causes of frequent colds in adults also lie in junk food. Healthy eating requires a balanced combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet. Food should be rich in minerals and vitamins of different groups - A, B, C, D, E, PP.

It is necessary to eat natural foods, exclude processed foods from the diet and not buy fast food. If you purchase products in a supermarket, you need to carefully read what is written on the packaging, whether there are artificial ingredients - preservatives, dyes, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers. Do not eat this.

Only under such conditions does the immune system work fully, which means your body will cope well with colds.

Vitamin A is present in vegetables and fruits of bright yellow, orange, red colors - carrots, pumpkin, apricots, tomatoes, bell pepper. Animal products are also rich in this vitamin - liver, chicken eggs, butter.

B vitamins are found in nuts, seeds, bran and wholemeal flour, eggs, liver, meat, and dairy products.

Vitamin C can be obtained from a decoction of rose hips, cranberries, sauerkraut, and citrus fruits.

Vitamin E is found in abundance in unrefined vegetable oil, wheat and oat sprouts.

Hardening and gymnastics

If adults have frequent colds, what to do? You need to do hardening and gymnastics.

It is better to start hardening procedures with special preparation. First in the morning pour a little warm water feet and rub them with a terry towel. Then, after a few weeks, move on to pouring over the legs and feet, and so gradually move up. In the end - start to pour yourself all over cool water room temperature.

The gymnastics complex should be selected according to age and physical characteristics. Hatha yoga or various Chinese gymnastics complexes with smooth movements and gradually increasing load are especially suitable for a weakened body.

For those who often suffer from colds, it is very important breathing exercises, which help train the lungs and bronchi. For example, Strelnikova’s gymnastic complex or pranayama yoga.

Daily jogging, regular visits to the pool, skating rink, skiing and cycling at fresh air.

Once a week you need to go out of town to breathe clean air and cleanse your lungs.

Immunomodulators

Every three months you should take immunomodulators made from plant materials. These are various preparations from aloe, ginseng (it is better not to use for hypertensive patients), echinacea, mumiyo.

You can resort to folk medicine, prepare teas, infusions from healthy herbs, make delicious and rich vitamin mixtures from honey with nuts, lemon, cranberries, dried fruits.

Eat onions and garlic.

Treatment frequent colds In adults, medication should only be taken under the supervision of a physician. Only he will be able to establish a diagnosis and prescribe exactly the medications that are needed.

Cough recipe

You will need one large onion, which needs to be finely chopped. Then use a wooden spoon or pestle to crush the chopped onion a little to release the juice. Pour the resulting slurry with honey and leave for a day. Take a teaspoon 3-5 times a day between meals.

Treatment of frequent colds on the lips in adults

In order for rashes on the lips to go away faster, you need to prepare a decoction of chamomile, mint or celandine.

Pour a tablespoon of dry herb into a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour in a sealed container. Then gently soaked in the infusion cotton swab apply a lotion every 2 hours.

Chamomile tea is also good to drink internally.

Doctors often hear patients complain: “I often get colds.” Colds - a big problem for a modern person. People who catch colds more than five times a year are included in the category prone to acute respiratory diseases.

To cope with a cold, you need to know what factor caused it. Only a medical specialist can determine the cause of the disease.

Frequent colds are a consequence of decreased immunity due to exposure to a negative factor on the body.

To get rid of acute respiratory infections, you need to strengthen the immune system. The immune system functions as a shield in human body.

It does not allow viruses, pathogenic bacteria and fungi to invade human body tissue, and also prevents the division of malignant cells.

When an infection enters the body, the immune system immediately begins to actively synthesize antibodies. These antibodies are involved in capturing and destroying infectious agents.

In the human body it is secreted humoral immunity. The basis of this type of immunity is antibodies dissolved in the blood and other liquid substances of the body. These proteins of a protein nature are called immunoglobulins.

There is also nonspecific immunity. These are the body's innate defenses.

IN in this case mucous membranes act as a shield against harmful microbes skin, as well as immune cells found in the blood plasma: neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils.

If the infection manages to penetrate the body, the immune system instantly responds to this attack by producing the interferon protein. This leads to an increase in body temperature.

Causes of too frequent colds

Colds can be caused by various factors, both frivolous and extremely dangerous. In most cases, the causes of frequent colds are:

Frequent colds due to constant attacks of viruses

The causative agents of ARVI are rhinoviruses. These viruses thrive in cold weather conditions.

Having penetrated the body, they actively reproduce if the body temperature is 33 – 35°C.

Therefore, infection with rhinovirus infection occurs mainly when the body is hypothermic.

IN in rare cases The causative agents of the common cold are coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus.

Low body temperature

In people who have weak immunity and metabolic disorders, body temperature ranges from 34.5 to 36.5°C. At this temperature, colds recur very often.

Unfavorable environment

Environmental conditions have strong influence on the state of human health.

The combination of moisture and dampness is the most harmful environment for a person prone to colds.

Wrong diet

To boost your immunity and protect yourself from colds, you need to eat right.

If you believe the people Chinese medicine, there are “cold” foods that provide little energy, and “hot” foods that warm up the body.

“Cold” foods include citrus fruits, green vegetables, fermented milk products, and some cereals. And “hot” foods can be considered cinnamon, garlic, ginger, meat, and fatty fish.

People who are prone to colds, during the cold season of the year it is not recommended to include “cold” products in the menu. After all, it seems to a person that he is eating healthy and vitamin-rich food, but in reality he is cooling his own body and reducing the tone of the body.

Hypoglycemia

At reduced level blood sugar levels, the body often cools down.

But this does not mean that a person prone to colds should eat a lot of sweets.

Hypoglycemia occurs not because a person eats little sugar, but because his body cannot maintain blood sugar at optimal levels.

Hypoglycemia has many causes and requires immediate treatment. When the disease is eliminated, the tendency to catch colds disappears.

Allergy

Sometimes body temperature decreases after eating a product that is an allergen.

Food allergies can be accompanied by a drop in blood sugar levels, weakened body tone, and drowsiness.

Every allergy sufferer should have a list of foods that should not be consumed.

When you refuse these products, the body's temperature and energy levels are normalized, as a result of which the likelihood of developing colds is minimized.

Weakening of the immune system

A weak immune system loses its ability to fight harmful and dangerous agents: viruses, pathogenic bacteria and fungi, toxic substances, allergens, malignant cells.

In organism healthy person infectious agents and toxins are immediately encountered by antibodies and are successfully destroyed.

But in some people, the immune system does not work correctly and produces insufficient antibodies to prevent pathologies. Impaired functioning immune system It can be hereditary, or it can be acquired, associated with poor nutrition, deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body.

It should be noted that immunity weakens with age. This is a natural process. Therefore, old people catch colds more often than young people.

Poor hygiene

The skin of human hands is constantly in contact with a huge amount microbes If a person does not maintain hygiene, does not wash his hands before eating, or touches his face with dirty fingers, then he may well contract a viral or bacterial infection.

Thorough hand washing with soap is a simple rule of hygiene that allows you to maintain health and avoid infection with viruses and pathogenic bacteria.

It is advisable to use antibacterial soap.

Furniture, door and window handles, telephones, computers and other electronic devices should be periodically cleaned of dust and dirt. People prone to colds should wash their hands with soap in the following cases:

Colds and oral diseases

The oral cavity is a reflection of the state of the body, because a large amount of both harmless and dangerous microbes. In a healthy person, the mucous membranes of the mouth, gums and teeth are maintained normally as a result of the active functioning of the immune system.

With regular brushing of teeth with toothpaste, using dental floss and mouth rinse, pathogenic microflora cannot multiply so as to cause inflammation.

But if a person does not take care of hygiene oral cavity, then advanced pathologies of teeth and gums can lead to serious complications:

Hypothyroidism

This is the name for poor functioning of the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism is a common disease, but it is difficult to diagnose due to the varied symptoms. That's why many people complain about bad feeling, but they don’t even suspect that their thyroid gland is sick

Hypothyroidism manifests itself with a huge number of symptoms:

Fatigued adrenal syndrome

This disease is very similar in symptoms to hypothyroidism, although there are differences.

Hypothyroidism affects each person differently, but there are a few consistent symptoms.

But adrenal fatigue manifests itself individually in all people, general symptoms are missing. This is due to the fact that metabolism depends on the work of the adrenal glands, so pathology can affect any organs and systems. You can note the symptoms of the disease that are recorded most often:

• tendency to catch colds;
• loss of appetite, addiction to sweets and pickles;
• periodic decrease in blood sugar;
• insomnia;
• anxiety, phobias;
• tachycardia, heart pain;
• prostration;
• intolerance to loud sounds;
• thinning of the nail plates.

Symptoms of weakened immunity

You can tell that your immune system is weakened by the following symptoms:

There are many ways to boost immunity. These methods are divided into two categories: physiological and.

Physiological ways to strengthen the immune system

If a person eats poorly, his immune system stops functioning normally.

To maintain normal immunity, you need to include in your menu plant and animal products rich in proteins, minerals, ascorbic acid, retinol, tocopherol, and B vitamins.

Legumes, meat, seafood, eggs, and nuts are rich in proteins.

B vitamins are found in sufficient quantities in dairy products, nuts and seeds, meat and liver, and bran bread. Vegetable oils are rich in tocopherol.

And excellent sources of ascorbic acid are citrus fruits, bell peppers, sour berries, sauerkraut, rosehip.

If you get sick often, it is recommended to follow a daily routine.

In order for the body to function normally and successfully resist pathogenic microbes, it is necessary to exercise daily, sleep at least eight hours a day, walk in the fresh air, lead an active lifestyle, stay awake during the day and rest at night.

Living spaces need to be ventilated several times a day; during the hot season of the year, it is recommended to leave the window in the bedroom open at night.

To boost your immunity, you can swim in open water in the summer and ski in the winter. But the best way to get rid of the tendency to colds is hardening.

You can wipe yourself with a damp towel, douse yourself with cold water, or take cool baths. However, hardening should be approached gradually so as not to cause harm to the body. It is recommended to start with dousing with cool water in the summer, and then lower the temperature of the water monthly.

Medicinal ways to strengthen the immune system

Runny nose, scratchy throat, continuous sneezing - typical signs colds. But the causes of frequent colds in adults often remain shrouded in mystery. Why does the disease occur several times a year? The main factor is reduced immunity.

Immunity is the body’s ability to resist external and internal influences (diseases, various substances, stress). It is divided into congenital and acquired. As the names suggest, innate immunity is present during the development of the organism. Acquired develops throughout a person's life.

Why does the body weaken its protective functions?

Seasonal illness is an unpleasant thing, but it can be managed. But constant colds, which bring a person to the doctor several times a year, give rise to the feeling that the series of health problems will never end, that there are no medicines that would help. Frequent colds- this is a signal of violation protective forces body! The immune system is not working properly.

The most common global cause of insufficient immune response is malnutrition, associated mainly with developing countries where there is insufficient intake of essential nutrients interferes with the proper development and functioning of the immune system.

In our conditions the most common reasons– These are secondary immune disorders acquired during life. These disorders include, in particular, insufficient or incorrect treatment infections. Each current infection stimulates the immune system, activates it, creates effective protection and immune memory. This provides quick response, more effective and physically undemanding elimination of the pathogen in case of recurrent disease. This process may be adversely affected by untimely or unnecessary (for example, viral infections without bacterial signs) use of antibiotics.

Incorrect composition of food and a short time recovery after illness, necessary for the regeneration of damaged infections of the mucous membranes, other tissues, and the immune system. Insufficiently restored immunity becomes vulnerable. If it is attacked by another infection, this can gradually lead to exhaustion, weakening the ability to resist infections.

The next cause of secondary immune system disorder is an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of sleep, constant stress, bad habits and others.” side effects» civilizations causing abnormal development and the functioning of the immune system, thereby reducing resistance to infections. Consequently, a person often suffers from colds and flu.

Less commonly, primary or congenital disorders are involved in a decrease in immunity, in most cases occurring in early childhood. Specialists are working on solving these problems. Treatment involves providing the body with the missing components of the immune system that the body cannot create on its own.

All of the above immune system disorders cause repeated or prolonged long-term infections and fatigue.

In most cases, infection occurs from another person, infected with a virus. This is usually observed when touching a surface on which germs are present (keyboard, door handle, spoons) and subsequent contact with the nose or mouth. Infection also occurs when being near a sick person who does not cover their mouth when sneezing.

The onset of a cold occurs when the virus settles on the mucous membrane of the nose or throat. The immune system – defense against microbes – sends white blood cells into battle with the “invader”. If a person has not previously encountered a completely identical strain of the virus, the initial fight fails and cold symptoms appear. The nose and throat become inflamed and produce a lot of mucus. Due to the large amount of energy spent fighting the virus, a person who has a cold becomes tired and feels weak.

Important! Being hypothermic or wet does not necessarily mean you have a cold.

There are reasons why colds occur more often than once or twice a year. Factors that increase susceptibility to disease, other than decreased immunity, include:

• increased tendency to get sick;
• prolonged fatigue (chronic fatigue syndrome);
• emotional stress;
• allergies, manifested by irritation in the throat and nasal cavity.

How to boost immunity?

The protective capacity of the immune system is determined to some extent by genetic dispositions. But it is also influenced by lifestyle, exposure external environment. Therefore, one should not neglect daily care for the integrity and functioning of the skin and mucous membranes, which are the first line of defense of the immune system, preventing the penetration of viruses or bacteria.

The main cause of the disease is not cold, but, first of all, a decrease in the resistance of the mucous membranes and respiratory tract to different types viruses and bacteria. Staying in the fresh air supports blood circulation in the mucous membranes and respiratory tract, which increases their resistance. Healthy share sunlight- This is also a good way to increase your defenses.

Mandatory factors: regular movement, physical activity, which significantly increases the number and activity of cells responsible for strong immunity. In the absence of movement, protection decreases. A person who is resistant to cold and sudden changes in weather is resistant to colds.

Hardening the body

Of course, you can’t swim in an ice hole in winter without any preparation, gritting your teeth! Correct hardening has its own principles. A good way to boost immunity, improve blood circulation, prepare the body for temperature changes, and transitions from heated rooms to the street is a contrast shower. A sauna has a positive effect on the body, removing harmful substances, burdening the immune system, preventing it from effectively fighting microbes.

Proper ventilation and heating of the room is also worth attention. The ideal temperature in the apartment is about 20ºС. Optimal temperature regime, suitable for sleep, is approximately 17-19ºС.

Important! Don't forget about humidifying the air!

A person should sleep about 6-8 hours a day. But not only the quantity of sleep is important, but, above all, its quality. At sound sleep the defense system works much less, which provides it with time to recover. Lack of sleep does the opposite - weakens the immune system and reduces productivity.

Healthy eating

A properly formulated diet is the basis for strong defense of the body. In case of prolonged absence important minerals, vitamins, the ability of the immune system decreases, susceptibility to infections increases.

Eat a varied diet, follow drinking regime, consume fermented dairy products (they have a beneficial effect on the intestines, which is the center of immunity), pumpkin seeds (increased protection due to high content zinc), brazil nuts(containing selenium), drink green tea.

Probiotics

Probiotics (good bacteria) are found in fermented milk products, which enrich the body with calcium and, unlike fresh milk, do not burden it. If you are intolerant to milk, try fermented vegetables - cabbage, carrots, radishes.

Most of the cells of the immune system are located in the intestinal mucosa. Probiotic bacteria have a beneficial effect on the condition intestinal microflora, inhibit the action of unwanted organisms. Probiotics maintain optimal pH, promoting good condition immune cells, therefore strengthening the immune system.

Beta-glucans are natural substances that support the immune system and regenerate the body's defense system. Sources of beta-glucans: mushrooms, barley, oats, yeast.

Echinacea protects against infections, strengthens the immune system, and has a pronounced antibacterial effect, accelerating recovery from illnesses.

The nasturtium plant has a similar effect. Some herbalists even claim that it is more suitable for the organisms of Central European inhabitants.

A popular remedy for increasing defenses in Lately ginger has become (in particular, ginger tea). Healing root effectively prevents infections, warms the body, destroys bacteria, restores vitality, and alleviates feverish illnesses.

Vitamins

In addition to the above supportive measures, it is important not to forget about adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, especially in the winter months, when the risk of catching a cold is increased.

An adult's need for this vitamin is 75-100 mg/day. However, if the body is already infected, required amount increases up to 10 times. Adequate intake of vitamin C shortens the period of treatment for an ongoing infection.

A popular form of ascorbic acid is tablets, but it is better to give preference to fresh fruits and vegetables. Its main sources are considered citrus fruit, which is not entirely true. For example, sour cabbage will provide the body with the necessary amount of vitamin C, K, potassium, β-carotene, fiber, thiamine, folic acid. In addition, it contains virtually no calories. A good option is beets, which in addition to vitamin C contain magnesium, potassium and a natural red color that supplies energy.

Rich Sources:

• rose hip;
• sea ​​​​buckthorn;
• citrus fruits (lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit);
• potato;
• tomatoes;
• pepper;
• papaya;
• broccoli;
• black currant;
• strawberry;
• cauliflower;
• spinach;
• kiwi;
• cranberry.

Vitamin A

Likewise ascorbic acid, vitamin A (carotene) also has a positive effect on the immune system and increases resistance to infections.

Important! Vitamin A can be overdosed, which results in headaches, bone pain, fatigue, double vision, drowsiness, loss of appetite.

Sources of carotene:

• fish fat;
• liver;
• carrot;
• green and yellow leaves;
• spinach;
• cabbage;
• parsley;
• kohlrabi;
• melon;
• apricots;
• broccoli;
• corn;
• pumpkin;
• butter;
• egg yolk;
• in smaller quantities - milk;
• fatty fish;
• cherry, sweet cherry.

B-complex supports the proper functioning of the body as a whole. Natural sources include yeast, legumes, nuts, and fish.

B1 (thiamine):

• grain crops;
• legumes;
• potato;
• cabbage;
• cauliflower;
• broccoli;
• wheat sprouts;
• Brewer's yeast;
• meat (poultry, pork);
• offal (liver, kidney, heart).

B2 (riboflavin):

• milk;
• eggs;
• yeast;
• legumes;
• spinach;
• cabbage;
• broccoli;
• nuts.

B3 (niacin):

• meat;
• milk;
• eggs;
• Brewer's yeast;
• leafy vegetables.

B5 (pantothenic acid):

• meat;
• offal;
• cereals;
• legumes

B6 (pyridoxine):

• pork;
• fish;
• liver;
• eggs;
• legumes;
• whole wheat bread;
• nuts;
• carrot;
• cabbage;
• cauliflower.

B7 (biotin):

• beef liver;
• milk;
• yolk;
• rice (unpolished);
• Brewer's yeast.

B9 (folic acid):

• liver;
• yeast;
• leafy vegetables.

B12 (cobalamin):

• lamb;
• veal;
• tuna;
• milk;
• cottage cheese;
• yogurt;
• eggs.

Are there vitamins B4 and B8? Substance B4, or adenine, does exist, but is not called a vitamin. It is important for human health, especially for healthy heart, proper fetal development during pregnancy. B8 is also not included in vitamins. However, it is an important antioxidant that acts as a preventative against cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Vitamin D affects the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, due to which it participates in the formation of bone and dental tissue. Its importance to the immune system is represented by “weaponizing” cells to fight infection. Therefore, long-term vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to colds and flu.

Sources of vitamin D:

• sunlight;
• cod liver oil;
• lard;
• bacon;
• salmon;
• oysters;
• sardines;
• caviar;
• shrimps;
• egg yolks.

To improve immunity, first of all, it is necessary to adjust your lifestyle. Make changes to your diet, reduce stress, and get enough sleep. Don't forget about vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, zinc, selenium), probiotics. You need to start strengthening your defenses before the onset of the risky winter months and continue for a long time. Such measures will reduce the likelihood of sore throat, cough, runny nose, especially during dangerous periods.

A frequently ill person is not uncommon these days. There are many reasons for this phenomenon. Unhealthy food, pollution environment, reduced immunity. A weakened body is predisposed to disease. Children, the elderly, and people of certain professions are especially vulnerable in this regard. Next, you will find out what else causes frequent colds and what you need to do to stay healthy under any circumstances.

Analysis of the reasons

Colds are characterized by symptoms such as runny nose, cough, fever up to 38 degrees, sore throat, chills, and poor appetite. The only difference from acute respiratory infections is the previous hypothermia of the body. As a result of exposure to cold (less often direct sun rays, draft), natural protection is weakened and viruses or bacteria attack the respiratory tract almost unhindered.

From this it follows that if colds are frequent, it means that a person has reduced immunity. In most cases this is true. However, there are other reasons that directly or indirectly affect the frequency of colds.

Immunodeficiencies

They can be congenital or secondary. The first ones develop in utero and are caused by genetic defects. Secondary immunodeficiencies may be a consequence of HIV or other infections. In addition, the protective function of the body weakens due to improper or insufficient nutrition, after poisoning suffered acute illness, prolonged diarrhea, severe injury, surgery.

Allergies

People who are prone to allergic reactions, as a rule, get sick more often than others. Firstly, this is due to the fact that it is not always possible to determine the etiology of a runny nose and cough. Allergic symptoms are very similar to colds. Secondly, inflammatory process in case of allergies, it facilitates the introduction of pathogenic agents into the cells of the body. Colds in allergy sufferers are more severe: with severe swelling nasopharynx, lacrimation, profuse rhinorrhea (runny nose), suffocating cough.

Chronic diseases

All human organs and systems are links in one chain. If at least one link is weakened, the whole organism certainly suffers. People diagnosed with:

• chronic diseases of the endocrine system;
• helminthiases;
• damage by protozoa (giardia, toxoplasma, etc.);
• intestinal diseases;
• liver failure;
• hepatitis C, B;
• cytomegalovirus;
• Epstein-Barr;
• kidney diseases.

Professions with hazardous working conditions

Colds occur more often in people who constantly come into contact with toxic substances at work. These are transport service employees, builders, repairmen, mechanics, soldering workers, and people who deal with ammunition equipment. TO harmful conditions Labor includes work in metallurgical production, as well as in organizations in the chemical, mining, and coal industries. All health workers and persons in contact with dangerous microorganisms, working on the creation of drugs or medical materials.

Active social life

Constant contact with people frequent visit crowded places (including traveling on public transport, shopping) increase the risk of colds. The chances of getting sick are especially high for those who previously led a rather closed life, stayed at home for a long time, and then sharply increased their social activity. Among children, constant colds occur in children attending a kindergarten or nursery, and schoolchildren (mainly 1st–2nd grade).

Age

People of 2 age groups are more susceptible to colds:

• children under 5 years old;
• people over 55–60 years old.

The former get sick more often due to immature immunity. In the first few years of life, the body learns to resist aggressive conditions environment. Secondary immunity is acquired, that is, when encountering respiratory viruses for the second time, subsequent antibodies are produced faster. In addition, children are prone to colds due to small lung capacity, narrow nasal passages, insufficient hand hygiene, and imperfect thermoregulation.

Weakening occurs in adults over 55 years of age protective functions due to hormonal changes, natural aging, chronic diseases. Upon retirement, many people experience reduced physical activity to a minimum, which also affects the incidence of illness. In addition, older people quickly feel cold and can easily become hypothermic in relatively warm, but humid and windy weather.

Psychosomatic reasons

Psychosomatics helps to look at diseases from a different perspective. It affects health not only physical state man, but also his psychological attitude. Negative emotions impair cell viability, suppress impulse transmission and lead to malfunctions of certain organs. Colds cause the following emotions:

• excessive control of feelings, restraint, self-criticism;
• fatigue, apathy, feeling of dullness of life;
• deep resentment;
• suppressed anger.

Fighting methods

Many people ask the question of what to do if colds become more frequent. Most people look for clues on the Internet. However, it is worth understanding that the cause of the problem is different for everyone. To improve your health, you need to identify and eliminate it. Most effective measure There will be an examination at the clinic, and then appropriate treatment for the cold, which is prescribed. Such therapy may include the following elements:

• reception antiviral drugs according to a preventive scheme;
• therapy with homeopathic remedies;
• specific treatment;
• physical procedures: exercise therapy, massage, others;
• sanatorium recovery.

To boost your immunity, it is also useful to listen to general recommendations doctors. The measures described below can help reduce the frequency of colds.

Nutrition correction

Food for humans is not only a source of pleasure. Food is needed for the construction of cells, the correct, harmonious functioning of the body. At balanced diet well-being improves, the ability to resist diseases increases. What foods should be in the diet:

• lean meat, sea fish;
• dairy products;
• various types of porridges (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, wheat, barley);
• greenery;
• vegetables, fruits, fresh and prepared;
• eggs;
• juices, tea;
• legumes, nuts, seeds.

How more varied diet, all the better. It is believed that a person should eat 28 types of foods per week, then the immune system will be strong.

Immunostimulating and vitamin mixtures

Weak people, as well as all adults and children, are advised to increase the intake of nutrients into the body during the cold season. These can be certain products or mixtures (they replenish vitamin deficiencies faster).

1. Lemon, honey, rose hip decoction, tea with raspberries, black currants or viburnum, diluted radish juice, propolis. They are accepted separately, but can be combined if desired.

2. Vitamin mixture. Mix in a liter jar 200 grams of chopped through a meat grinder walnuts, dried apricots, prunes, add 1 grated medium ginger root, juice of 1 lemon, 5-7 tablespoons of honey. Take a tablespoon on an empty stomach in the morning and 1-2 times throughout the day. The children's dose is 1 teaspoon. After the first dose, a pause is made for 2 days to monitor whether the child has an allergy.

3. Immunostimulator with aloe. Mix 3 tablespoons of aloe juice, 200 grams of chopped walnuts, juice of 2 lemons, 100 grams of honey. Take a teaspoon before meals (up to 5 spoons per day).

4. Treatment of immunodeficiency with juices. The dose is prepared for the day and stored in the refrigerator. Mix 100 grams of carrot, beet, lemon juice, add 2 tablespoons of radish juice, 50 grams of Cahors. At the same time, chop half a head of garlic, wrap it in a thick layer of gauze and lower it into the mixture for 2 hours, then squeeze it out. Drink in 3-4 doses.

Hardening and physical education

Enough level physical activity increases the body's resistance. A person’s thermoregulation processes improve, blood circulation improves, and the lungs and heart become stronger. In addition, when playing sports, the body is actively saturated with oxygen. Training should be moderate; you cannot immediately begin heavy loads. It is optimal to do swimming, cycling, walking, dancing, yoga.

Hardening works differently. Essentially, it teaches the human body to resist aggressive factors environment, adapts it to negative conditions. You need to harden yourself gradually, gradually reducing the layer of clothing, drinking something much colder. In the first stages, you can limit yourself contrast shower with a slight temperature difference, walking on a cool, damp towel for 30 seconds before going to bed.

Maintaining personal hygiene, cleaning the home

It's no secret that everything that surrounds us is populated by bacteria and viruses. They are found in dust, street dirt, on outerwear, shoes, and stick to your hands very quickly. To get sick less, it is important to maintain cleanliness:

• carry out wet cleaning with disinfectants several times a week;
• regularly ventilate the room;
• change bed linen weekly, underwear every day;
• upon arrival from the street, hide your outerwear in the closet and wash your shoes;
• clean the door mat in a timely manner;
• Wash your hands and face with bactericidal soap, always after going outside and before eating.

Calm, rest, sleep

Sometimes it is not necessary to treat a frequently ill person in any specific way. All you need is to reconsider your daily routine. Many people, in their pursuit of wealth, forget how important they are for health. good rest and dream. To boost your immunity, the following is recommended:

• increase sleep duration to 8–9 hours a day;
• adjust the time of falling asleep to 22–23 hours;
• Avoid watching TV an hour before bedtime, loud music, lively conversations;
• start the morning with physical activity;
• During the day, alternate work and rest.

It is also important to find inner peace and avoid unnecessary worries and stress. All negative emotions you need to let go, not carry them inside yourself. Change your environment more often, exercise interesting activities, and colds will subside.

How else to protect yourself from colds

In addition to the above recommendations, it would be useful to remind you that you should always dress for the weather. A person should be neither hot nor cold. In the first case, he will quickly sweat and get hypothermic at the slightest wind; in the second, he will simply freeze. It is advisable that clothes be made from natural fabrics that are breathable.

During the cold season, it is important to avoid large crowds of people; if this is not possible, wear a protective mask. If it turns out that a cold has already appeared, in the first hours it is important to warm your feet, drink warm tea and relax. This way there is a greater chance that the disease will quickly subside.

What conclusions need to be drawn?

Finally, you need to understand that the concept of “frequent” is subjective. For some, colds 2-3 times a year will be excessive, while others will consider it absolutely normal to get sick every month. To objectively assess the situation and take action effective actions, you need to turn to medicine.

You should consult a doctor if colds occur more than 6 times a year in adult homebodies, and more than 10 times in those with an active social life. For children, standards are set according to age. The diagnosis of FSD (frequently ill children) is made if a child has been ill more than 4 times before one year of age, more than 6 times before 3 years of age, 5 times from 4–5 years of age, 4 times after 5 years of age. When visiting a children's group, the norm increases to 8–10 times per year.

Moreover, regardless of age group, a situation where a cold often progresses severely, for a long time or with complications requires a visit to a doctor. Only after going through the full medical examination and treatment for qualified specialist(therapist, immunologist, ENT specialist, infectious disease specialist, others) you can get a guaranteed result.

Patients, parents of frequently ill children, neighbors, and fellow travelers constantly ask doctors of any specialty this question. Doctors usually talk about viral infection, bacteria, decreased immunity. They recommend hardening, taking vitamins and dietary supplements, and in some cases consulting a medical psychologist. It helps some, not so much for others. Today we will look at cases of frequent colds from the point of view System-vector psychology and we'll find effective recommendations and the answer to the main question - why a person often gets colds.

1. At the appointment, patient A, 25 years old, complains of cough with sputum, sore throat, difficulty in nasal breathing, purulent discharge from the nose. From the anamnesis: in childhood - frequent colds, bronchitis, sinusitis. Then the pain began to decrease. She got married and gave birth to two children. She has been experiencing frequent colds for the last six months. She says she's tired of being sick. I'm no longer used to feeling healthy. Not a single doctor understands how you can get sick so often.

I’m sure that I’m sick because of weak nerves, I just couldn’t find the cause of the stress on my own. After a short conversation, it turned out that she began to get sick often after the death of her mother-in-law. The relationship was difficult, but she is still missed. She tells how difficult it was to get used to, how much she was offended, how she wanted to become the best daughter-in-law and nothing worked: “I wanted her to love me so much, but she just died”.

2. At the appointment, patient B, 50 years old, complains of painful cough with difficult to separate sputum, pain in chest when breathing, feeling unwell. Frequent colds, exacerbations two to three times a year chronic bronchitis, last year she suffered from pneumonia. Speaks: “I’m so tired of being sick. Why is my body like this, it catches any infection? There are two or three colds per season and always an exacerbation of bronchitis, and pneumonia almost every year.

“...Result 9. I spent the whole winter in an autumn coat, the table was under the window, which is always open, but I no longer get colds, although they used to be frequent...”
Galina N., manager of social and cultural activities, Petrozavodsk

“...It is impossible not to briefly mention the accompanying psychosomatics: body temperature has changed (the hands were always cold, now they are always warm); my back straightened (I have been stooping since adolescence); cold recurrences stopped (before the training, I got sick 4 times in six months); I don’t feel a strong heartbeat (it started bothering me about 3 years ago and the cases became more frequent); The weather dependence unexpectedly evaporated. In my opinion, my throat has stopped hurting (I write “in my opinion” because this result is a little more than a week old, which means that for a little more than a week I’ve been eating ice cream, drinking drinks straight from the refrigerator, sleeping in a cold room - it’s gotten very cold in Moscow these days - and my throat didn’t get sore or sore)..."
Fatima O., leading manager, Moscow

The article was written using materials from Yuri Burlan’s online training “System-vector psychology”.
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