I get colds all the time, what should I do? I constantly get colds: how to increase immunity? Hypothyroidism and persistent colds

And many others. But the question of increasing immunity still haunts many readers, more and more new questions appear. Today we will answer one reader, but many have this problem. "I'm always sick colds: how to increase immunity? - a reader of my blog asked me this question. We'll figure out!

We often ask the question: how to increase immunity, since many have doubts, does he have good immunity?

Doctors characterize it as defensive forces organism. And today there is something to protect from! A good immune system should be an insurmountable barrier to a wide variety of infections - viral, fungal, bacterial. What if this doesn't happen?

1. Signs of a weakened immune system

If viral diseases, such as the flu, SARS repeat more than 6 times a year, then your immune system is not just exhausted, it is in the most terrible state.

Also, if it is difficult for an adult to recover after an illness, then this is another sign. Fungal, allergic diseases, dysbacteriosis are three more signs of weakened immunity.

Weakness, constant sleepiness, apathy, unwillingness to do anything - they just scream - you need to increase your defenses, take care of yourself!

2. I constantly suffer from colds: how to increase immunity?

2.1 Garlic, honey, lemon

You can take care of your health at home. I will tell you what means should be prepared that increase our defenses.

Honey-lemon remedy

Great helper for frequent colds diseases:

- take two heads of garlic,
- 200 grams of honey (honey must be real),
- four lemons.

We clean the garlic, pass it through a meat grinder, put chopped unpeeled lemons with peel into the mixture, mix everything with honey. We put the mixture in a jar, close the lid, put in the refrigerator. We take 2 teaspoons before each meal. The course is 12 days.

This recipe is contraindicated for ulcers and gastritis.

This mixture is good because it saves from infection even when we are next to a sick flu. This remedy is made by my family, all my friends. Helps a lot!

Activates defenses very quickly nut tincture. Take two cups of crushed shells pine nuts, pour a bottle of vodka, insist in a dark cabinet for 60 days. You need to drink half a teaspoon before each meal. The course is 21 days. There are three such courses.

2.2 Compote with herbs, products, propolis

We strengthen immunity folk remedies based on herbs. For healing compote, you need to take the following components:

- take herbs, all in the 1st part - lemon balm, mint, chestnut flowers, Ivan tea - mix,
- take 5 tablespoons of the mixture, pour one liter of boiling water,
- 2 hours insist, strain,
- add compote of currants, cranberries, cherries, viburnum, prepared without sugar in 2 liters of water,
- drink 0.5 liters daily.

To the question: what foods increase our defenses? I will answer: garlic, onions, carrots, ginger, radish, celery, parsley, cranberries, citrus fruits. Everything is very simple, most importantly, affordable!

Watch a video on this topic with Elena Malysheva:

It is possible to buy pharmaceutical preparations, for example, propolis tincture. It is taken 25 drops in a small amount of water. Drink for 30 min. before meals. The tincture contains vitamins, a lot of trace elements.

2.3 Immune boosters

If you have caught a cold, medicines will help you, you just need to know which ones.

Let's see which drugs have earned the trust of doctors and patients.

Immunal. Its basis is echinacea extract. It should be taken from 1 to 8 weeks, then take a break, then repeat the same course. There is also Dr. Theiss' Echinacea tincture, which is also a good medicine.

Eleutherococcus extract. An effective, inexpensive natural medicine that gives strength. It is especially useful during great mental, physical stress. Ginseng tincture, as well as Schisandra chinensis, has the same abilities.

2.4 Immunostimulants of bacterial origin

These substances contain the enzymes of the causative agents of certain diseases, therefore they will help the body create protective bodies, thereby strengthening immune system.

Ribomunil. It is used for diseases of the respiratory system. Absolutely harmless.
Broncho-munal. It is prescribed for the treatment of the upper respiratory tract. Even children can take it.
Likopid. An excellent substance that strengthens the defenses can be taken with frequent sluggish, chronic diseases.
Imudon. A substance that is prescribed to treat infections oral cavity and throat.

You can name other drugs that help with infectious diseases, these are Viferon, Grippferon, Arbidol, Anaferon, Cycloferon.

3. Why increased immunity is dangerous

It turns out that immunity can also harm a person, working in the opposite direction!

Excessively strong immunity, as well as prolonged exposure to immunostimulants, often leads to serious side effects, which become an intractable problem for anyone who abuses them.

so-called diseases increased immunity, also lead to a doctor who will prescribe those drugs that will stop the excessively raging "defenders".

Therefore, I always advise that before taking strong pills, you should consult a doctor. Only he can say whether one or another composition can be taken.

It is worth noting that those people who constantly take drugs such as adaptogens can get diseases of increased immunity. Why is this happening?

Native immunity will become lazy, as it receives continuous drug help, so he no longer wants to fight himself.

As soon as a person stops drinking them, the bacteria, microbes that inhabit us immediately fall upon a defenseless organism, a person gets a disease, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, allergies, and these diseases are difficult to treat. And all this because of too strong immunity!

Better take natural preparation, knowing that it increases immunity, but slowly and smoothly, without exerting harmful effect on the body.

I am sure that natural immunostimulants will help restore our protective bodies even after antibiotics.

Finally, I want to wish all my readers, do not overdo it with medicines, even such useful ones as for increasing protective antibodies.

Today I answered a reader's question: “I constantly get colds: how to increase immunity? How did you like the article? If yes, then be sure to share it on social networks, subscribe to blog updates and wait for the continuation.

Frequent colds can have a variety of causes, ranging from "worrisome" to "very serious". Finding the true cause of frequent colds means ruling out or confirming every possibility - in other words, it's a diagnosis.

Diagnosis is usually difficult process due to the huge number possible causes and symptoms associated with frequent colds, however, the main factors can be grouped into a small group:

Adrenal fatigue
Hypothyroidism
food allergies
selenium deficiency
Weakened immune system
High histamine
Allergy to milk
Environmental impact
Poor hygiene

Below we will talk in detail about some of the reasons why you have frequent colds.

Frequent colds are constant viral attacks

The most common cold viruses are called rhinoviruses (40% of all colds). By and large, the most important thing you need to know about cold viruses is that rhinoviruses are real fans. cold weather. Rhinoviruses reproduce (produce offspring) fastest at a body temperature of 33-35 ° C. It simply means that if your body temperature is low, you are more likely to end up carrying the common cold virus. Coronaviruses cause about 20% of colds, while respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus cause 10% of colds

Persistent colds love a cold body

The main changes in body temperature during the day depend on your activity level. Body temperature is usually lowest in the morning. This is the best time to take body temperature. Lie quietly in bed under the covers, do nothing, just relax and take a measurement. Temperatures below 36.5°C can contribute to recurring colds. Don't be surprised if you see 34.5°C or 35.5°C on your thermometer. Such low temperatures are common in people with metabolic problems and weak immune systems.
You may not be aware, but some foods can make your body colder. Below is a food cold and heat chart so you can always remember which foods to avoid if you are prone to persistent colds.

The environment can cause frequent colds

The cold of the body and the environment are able to "complement" each other. If you often get colds, as a rule, using the air conditioner and traveling to Salekhard may not be on your priority list. Environment plays a big role in your health. Where you work and where you live can have a significant impact on how often you get colds. If you work in an air-conditioned room where the cold wind blows directly on you, you will be more prone to colds. If you live in a cold, damp climate, this certainly doesn't help boost your immune system. Humid cold very dangerous factor risk for those people who have frequent colds.

Persistent colds? Check Products

The foods you choose also affect your body temperature. That's why you shouldn't eat salads in winter, and it's good not to forget the chili. Traditional Chinese medicine very wise when it comes to energy and food. "Cold" people should avoid cold foods: wheat, tomatoes, citrus fruits, bananas, yogurt, and cucumber. Instead, they should consume more warm foods: garlic, ginger, cinnamon, oats, lamb, trout, coconut. If you do not understand the rules of food energy, you can make yourself worse. You can think, eat healthy food, but energetically it does not meet your needs. For example, yogurt for breakfast, salad for lunch, and a sandwich from white bread, subsequently make you colder. This menu good idea for the heat, but that's bad news if you have recurring colds.

Hypoglycemia and frequent colds

Low sugar, a condition called hypoglycemia, is a common cause for chilling, but that doesn't mean you need to kick it up with cake. Low blood sugar is not due to low dietary sugar, but due to an inability to keep stable blood sugar levels in the liver. There are several causes of hypoglycemia. Although hypoglycemia is one of the causes of persistent colds, we hope this situation does not apply to you.

Allergies and frequent colds

Low sugar can also happen after eating a food that you have an allergy/sensitivity to. Your sudden yawning, sleepiness, or low energy may just be a sign that your body's sugar levels have dropped. Check the temperature at the time of these symptoms and see if it has dropped. Remember that body temperature does not drop due to every food allergies and intolerance, but in some cases. Keep a list of foods on hand that cause your temperature to drop - avoiding these foods can prevent unnecessary cooling of the body and thus minimize the frequency of colds.

Weakened immune system causes frequent colds

A weakened immune system means that a person's immune system is unable to fight antigens. The antigens are harmful substances, So:

bacteria
toxins
cancer cells
viruses
mushrooms
allergens (such as pollen)
foreign blood or tissue

IN healthy body The invading antigen meets with antibodies, proteins that destroy harmful substances. However, in some people, the immune system does not work as it should and is not able to produce effective antibodies to prevent diseases, in particular the common cold (SARS).
You can inherit immune system disorders or they can come from malnutrition ( an insufficient amount vitamins and nutrients). Any immune system also tends to weaken with age. Therefore, older people are more likely to get colds than middle-aged people.

Poor hygiene and frequent colds

Dirty hands "pick up" constant colds

Your hands come into contact with many germs throughout the day. If you don't regularly wash your hands and then touch your face, lips, or food, you can spread viruses and infect yourself.

Simply washing your hands with running water and antibacterial soap for 20 seconds will help you stay healthy and avoid diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Use disinfectants for hands when pure water and soap are not available.

Clean countertops, doorknobs, and electronic surfaces (like phone, tablet, and computer) with wipes when you're sick. To prevent frequent colds, you need to wash your hands:

before and after cooking
before meals
before and after caring for a sick person
before and after wound treatment
after using the bathroom
after changing diapers or helping a baby
after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
after touching animals or handling waste or food
after garbage processing

Poor oral health and frequent colds

Teeth are not only the mirror of your health, but also the door to your body, and your mouth is a safe haven for good and bad bacteria. When you're not sick, your body's natural defenses keep your mouth healthy. Daily brushing and flossing also removes dangerous bacteria and viruses. But when harmful organisms out of control, it can make you sick and cause inflammation and problems elsewhere in your body.

long-term, chronic problems with the oral cavity can have big consequences. Poor health Dentistry is associated with several problems, including:

heart diseases
premature birth
low birth weight
endocarditis (infection in the inner lining of the heart)
constant colds
gastrointestinal problems

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, brush and floss at least twice a day (especially after meals) and visit your dentist regularly.

Hypothyroidism and persistent colds

The term means low function thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism probably affects hundreds of thousands of people, but it is not always easy to make a diagnosis. The clinical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include many health problems, including a persistent cold or flu:

Low body temperature (as mentioned above, low temperature of the body affects the rate of replication of cold viruses), dry skin/hair (red hair is at particular risk of hypothyroidism), inappropriate weight gain and/or failure to lose weight, brittle nails, insomnia and/or narcolepsy, short-term memory and poor concentration, fatigue, headaches pain and migraine, premenstrual syndrome and related problems, violations menstrual cycle, depression, hair loss (including eyebrows), low motivation and ambition, cold hands and feet, fluid retention, dizziness, irritability, skin problems / infections / acne, infertility, dry eyes/blurred vision, heat and/or cold intolerance, low blood pressure, elevated level cholesterol, digestive problems (irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, constipation, etc.), lack of coordination, decreased libido, decreased or excessive sweating, frequent colds/sore throats, asthma/allergies, slow healing, itching, recurrent infections, food intolerance, increased susceptibility to abuse psychoactive substances, anxiety/panic attacks, yellow-orange discoloration of the skin (especially on the palms), yellow bumps on the eyelids, slow speech, fluid in the ears, etc.

Adrenal fatigue and frequent colds

Although adrenal fatigue resembles hypothyroidism in some aspects, there are significant differences between these states. Hypothyroidism usually occurs with key symptoms although each person experiences thyroid dysfunction differently. In case of adrenal fatigue, individual experience even more diverse, since metabolism depends on the adrenal glands. The diurnal pattern of adrenal function often means that certain time day / night will be more troublesome than others; this circadian pattern is not seen in thyroid problems. The more common symptoms of adrenal fatigue are listed below:

The drop in energy different time per day
anxiety
Cravings for sugar/salt
Poor appetite in the morning
sensitivity to loud noises
sleep disorders
episodes of hypoglycemia
frequent colds/infections
palpitations / chest pain
thin, brittle nails

Similarities between adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism

low energy
Persistent colds
Cold hands
Low body temperature
Weight gain
Sluggish digestion

It can be seen that many symptoms of hypothyroidism were present in cases of confirmed adrenal fatigue and vice versa. This is intercom between the thyroid and adrenal glands, which is often referred to as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the thyroid. Both of these glands are associated with the production of energy, and their work balances each other.

Denial of responsibility : The information provided in this article about common colds is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a healthcare professional.

Cold is a collective name large group acute respiratory infections, manifested by catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and a very diverse symptomatology. If a person is in good health and good immunity He rarely gets sick. And an organism with a weakened immune system is a constant focus of infection with infected microbes.

In the article, we will consider how a cold occurs, what are the first signs and symptoms, as well as what treatment for adults is most effective.

What is a cold?

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper Airways. Immediately, we note that the term is colloquial, while under it are hidden infectious diseases- SARS (), rarely -.

Infection occurs by airborne droplets or household contact, therefore, it is advisable to be close to the infected in medical mask and disinfect all indoor surfaces daily.

According to the WHO, an adult gets sick with colds three times a year, a schoolchild about 4 times a year, and a preschooler up to 6 times a year.

Five percent of those who took viral infection get a cold, and only 75 percent feel its symptoms. The same pathogen can cause only a mild headache in someone, and a severe runny nose and cough in someone.

Causes

The common cold is a highly contagious infection that spreads easily between people through even minimum quantity pathogens that enter the integumentary membranes of the respiratory tract. Such contagiousness is explained by the tropism (affinity) of the viral agent to the tissues of the human body.

Among the most common causative agents of the common cold are viruses - rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), reoviruses, enteroviruses (), influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

To become infected with a cold, or SARS, two basic rules must be followed:

weakened immune system
entry into the infection.

Weakened immunity can occur not only with hypothermia, but also in other situations:

Strong stress. Nervous shock and anxiety reduce the body's ability to protect, so they can lead to serious illness.
Constant fatigue. sleep deprivation excessive loads during operation also reduce resistance.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Correct regular meals not only helps to control weight, but also helps protect against colds.

Source of infection: more often it is a patient with symptoms of a cold, sometimes a carrier of a virus (adenovirus, etc.) or bacteria (pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae,). Maximum contagiousness in the first days of illness, however, the infectious period can begin 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and last 1.5-2, and sometimes more than weeks (for example, adenovirus infection).

By type of infection:

Viral infection is transmitted only from person to person. That is, before the disease there should have been contact with a sick person.
bacterial infection can be transmitted not only from person to person. Bacteria are everywhere around us. Sometimes even those bacteria that have lived peacefully inside the body are to blame even for acute respiratory disease. But the immune system weakened as a result of hypothermia, and a common bacterium caused the disease.

incubation period for the common cold(from infection to the mucous membrane and until the first signs appear) is about 2 days.

First signs

Colds rarely start suddenly high temperature body and weakness, "knocking down." It usually starts suddenly with a sore throat followed by other symptoms:

Watery discharge from the nose
sneezing
Increased fatigue and weakness
Cough - dry or wet

The malaise increases gradually, the temperature increases during the first day after the onset of symptoms of a cold. There may be pain in the muscles and joints.

cold symptoms in adults

So, common list The symptoms for any kind of cold are:

General weakness, malaise;
Aches in muscles and joints;
Sore throat and sore throat, redness of the throat;
Cough;
Eye pain, tearing;
Headache;
Elevated body temperature up to 38.5 ° C;
Increased sweating, chills;
Lack of appetite;
Insomnia;
Increase lymph nodes.

During a cold, the work of the glands responsible for the separation of protective mucus, which is stored in several cavities of the skull, is disrupted. When the immune system begins to fight viruses, a lot of "waste" is formed - toxins that need to be flushed out of the body. As a result, the amount of mucous secretions increases several times, but the glands cannot regulate them normally, so the fluid stagnates in the sinuses.

That is why colds are characteristic at the same time severe runny nose with which the body seeks to get rid of the infection.

In the table, we will take a closer look at each of the symptoms.

	Symptoms
Temperature	Temperature with a cold is one of the main signs of the disease. Depending on the size of the numbers, it is customary to distinguish: subfebrile values (37.1-38.0 ° C), febrile (38.1-39.0 ° C), pyretic (39.1-40.0°C) and hyperpyretic (above 40.0°C). The temperature reaction depends on the functioning of the human immune system. In one case, it can practically not rise, and in the other, it can “jump” sharply already in the first hours of the illness.
Intoxication	A symptom caused by exposure to organs and tissues of toxins of pathogens or their own substances produced in order to fight infection. Intoxication manifests itself in the form of: myalgia (pain in the muscles), dizziness weakness, nausea, sleep disturbance.
Cough	A cough is rarely the first sign of a cold. Most often, it begins some time after the onset of a runny nose, sore throat and fever.
A sore throat	Painful sensations can vary in intensity - from tolerable to very strong, making it difficult to swallow food and speak. Patients are also concerned about sore throat, coughing.
Runny nose	Nasal congestion is not only the first, but also almost the main symptom of a cold, by which it can be distinguished, for example, from. On the first day of the progression of the disease, the separated secret is transparent and liquid. The discharge is copious, quite often causes sneezing, as well as itching in the nose with reddening of the eyes. If symptoms such as: Pain on the right and left of the nose, in the region of the bridge of the nose; nasal voice; Nasal congestion does not go away even after taking medications. So, the usual runny nose turned into serious complication- sinusitis, etc. in this case, it is necessary to prescribe antibiotics.
Headache	It can be constant, intensify with increasing temperature. agonizing headache characteristic of exacerbation and is one of the typical symptoms.

On the second or third day, the symptoms begin to subside, and the patient begins to feel better. On the third day, the patient with a cold begins to recover. For a complete recovery from the moment of the disease, it takes 5-7 days, depending on the degree, the state of the immune system and the approach to treating the disease.

So, summarizing all of the above, reason to see a doctor for a cold should serve:

early childhood patient (up to 3 years, especially infants);
intractable temperature over 38 ° for more than 3 days;
unbearable headache, throbbing local headache;
the appearance of a rash on the trunk and limbs;
the appearance of a bacterial component of the discharge (yellowish and greenish color nasal mucus, phlegm, severe sore throat), barking cough;
severe weakness and pain in chest when coughing;
elderly patients over 65 years of age;
persons with chronic bacterial foci (, sinusitis and others);
people with comorbidities(onco-, hematological patients, hepatic, renal pathology).

Complications

The common cold is a disease full recovery in which occurs in the vast majority of cases, but complications still occur. The most common is a prolonged cold, which means the presence of symptoms after two weeks.

Possible complications of a cold in adults:

Appearance severe pain in one or both ears, hearing loss, fever indicates. Symptoms mean that the infection has moved from the nasal cavity to the ear cavity.
Inflammation paranasal sinuses nose (, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis) - another complication of a cold. At the same time, a person experiences severe nasal congestion, a runny nose does not go away for a long time, but only worsens. The voice becomes nasal, pains appear at the site of the disease (in the forehead and bridge of the nose, on the left or right side nose).
For as a consequence of a cold, a cough that worsens at night is characteristic. At first it may be dry and rough, then it becomes moist and mucus begins to form. With bronchitis, unlike and, rough, whistling and buzzing dry rales appear, hard breathing, as well as coarse bubbling moist rales.
Complications of the common cold include inflammation of the lymph nodes - lymphadenitis. The lymph nodes in the neck are most commonly affected.

Diagnostics

If you have or only suspect the development of a cold, you should not delay for a long time to seek advice from doctors such as a general practitioner. A doctor will usually diagnose a cold based on a description of the symptoms and findings during a physical examination.

Laboratory investigations are generally not performed unless there are concerns about another medical condition, such as bacterial disease or potential complications.

Cold treatment at home

Actually healthy body he himself is able to cope with the disease, so all the patient has to do is help his body cope with the disease. Need to ensure bed rest excluding serious physical exertion.

There are several rules that should not be violated when treating a cold:

Bed and semi-bed rest. This is necessary for the body to accumulate strength to fight the infection, as well as to prevent a secondary infection from attaching to a person. Also this is preventive measure on non-proliferation of pathogenic microflora in places of frequent stay of the patient;
If going to work is inevitable, then you should beware of increased physical exertion, as this can adversely affect the activity of the heart and blood vessels;
Plentiful warm drink- green or black tea herbal decoctions- promotes the elimination of toxins from the body;
Balanced diet with an increase in the amount of vitamins, the rejection of alcohol, spicy, fatty, fried foods. The cooking option is also important - in order not to injure the sore throat, it is better to choose broths, soft food of moderate temperature, which will not irritate the mucous membrane;
You can not bring down the temperature if it has not reached 38 degrees. Although its increase is associated with chills and other unpleasant sensations, it is with its help that the body fights bacteria and viruses. During chills, the body produces interferon, a protein that effectively resists infection. The higher the temperature, the more it is, and the faster body cope with illness;
When severe congestion nose and cough it is important to position your head higher during a night's rest, that is, sleep in a half-sitting position. With this position of the body, nasal mucus and coughing are much less annoying.

Medicines for treatment

On the pharmacy shelves are presented antiviral drugs prescribed for colds:

Amizon;
Anaferon;
Arbidol;
Ingavirin;
Influcid;
Kagocel;
Oseltamivir;
Rimantadine;
Tamiflu.

We constantly monitor the temperature during a cold, if it does not rise above 38 and the state of health is normal - do not take antipyretic drugs, the heat destroys viruses and microbes. It is necessary to resort to antipyretic drugs for the treatment of colds only in cases where the temperature is above 38 ° C

common and effective means to lower the temperature are soluble preparations based on paracetamol:

Coldrex;
Theraflu;
Fervex;
Pharmacitron.

Nazol - a convenient spray, 2-3 r / day is used;
Nazol Advance - convenience in the form of a spray, contains essential oils, applied 2 r / day;
Nazivin - comfortable shapes for adults, babies;
Tizin - drops, contain essential oils, effective for viscous nasal discharge.
Lazolvan nasal spray (thinns nasal mucus).
Pinosol ( oil solution) drops and spray.

Reception feature vasoconstrictor drops into the nose: the course should not exceed 5-7 days, otherwise the drugs will cease to act, and the nasal mucosa will atrophy.

Antihistamines are drugs used in the treatment of allergies. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, therefore, they relieve signs of inflammation: swelling of the mucous membranes, nasal congestion. New generation drugs such as semprex (claritin), zyrtec, fenistil do not cause drowsiness.

Cough. With a strong dry cough, apply: "Codelac", "Sinekod". For liquefaction of sputum - "Ascoril", "ACC" (ACC). To remove sputum from the respiratory tract - plantain syrup, Tussin.

Antibiotics are used only when bacterial complications , in relation to viruses, they are absolutely useless. Therefore, during a cold they are not prescribed.

The fact is that antibiotics suppress the immune system, destroy beneficial microflora intestines, so only a specialist can decide whether the expected benefit from the use of antibiotics outweighs the harm they cause.

Washing the nose for a cold

Isotonic (saline) solution. The dosage should be 0.5-1 teaspoon per 200 ml boiled water. Salt prevents the growth and reproduction of pathogens, thins sputum and promotes its removal.
Soda or iodine-soda solution. Prepared in the same concentration. Soda creates an alkaline environment in the nasal cavity, which is unfavorable for the growth of colonies of pathogenic microorganisms.

Gargling

For gargling with a cold at home, you can use:

Salt, soda solutions;
Breast fees prepared independently or purchased at a pharmacy;
propolis tincture;
Gargle with hydrogen peroxide. It needs to be diluted by taking 2 teaspoons in 50 ml warm water. You need to use the remedy 3-5 times a day until you feel that it has become easier.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for colds are almost always included in the treatment regimen. respiratory diseases due to its beneficial properties.

At the first symptoms, it is useful to prepare for treatment carrot juice and stir in it a gruel of 3-5 cloves of garlic. Take medicine for half a glass 3-4 times a day, an hour before meals for five days.
Foot baths. If the disease is accompanied without fever, then mustard can be added to the water. To do this, add one tablespoon of dry powder per 7 liters. Dip your feet in the water and hold until the water begins to cool. After that, dry them well and put woolen socks on your feet.
Mix 30 g sea buckthorn oil , 20 g of fresh marigold juice, 15 g of melted cocoa butter, 10 g of honey, 5 g of propolis. With a runny nose, moisten a cotton swab in this composition and insert it into the nose for 20 minutes.
Pour 1 teaspoon dry crushed dandelion roots 1 cup boiling water, insist in a sealed container in a boiling water bath for half an hour, cool, strain. Take in the same way as infusion for a cold.
Viburnum berry is able to provide a unique therapeutic effect. For getting positive effect a decoction can be made from the product, using for this a spoonful of berries in a glass of water. It is desirable to drink the resulting fruit drink in a warm form and with honey.
With a runny nose, instill 3-5 drops of aloe in each nostril 4-5 times a day, tilting the head back and massaging the wings of the nose after instillation.
Relieve sore throat and linden flowers will help get rid of cough. Linden tea: two teaspoons of lime blossom per cup of water.

How to protect yourself from a cold?

A cold is the result of a temporary decrease in immunity and contact with an infection. Accordingly, prevention is aimed at preventing these risk factors.

What can you do to avoid a cold?

Avoid crowded places where the risk of infection is much higher.
If possible, stay away from people with colds.
Do not touch your nose or eyes after you have been in physical contact with a person who is sick.
Wash your hands thoroughly, especially when you have a cold.
Ventilate your room well.

If you do not start treatment for a cold in time, then there is a risk of getting complications that can eventually turn into chronic diseases. Therefore, take care of yourself, at the first symptoms, start helping your body and, in general, monitor your health all year round.

Temperature fluctuations in the autumn-spring period become a test of strength for many. Accustomed to the summer heat, the body is suddenly attacked by cold air and piercing wind. Often the result is numerous colds, sometimes requiring prolonged treatment and nerve and financial costs.

Disease Definition

What is meant by the everyday word "cold"? There is a whole, resulting from hypothermia of the body, or, acute respiratory infections. Cold symptoms, as a rule, are accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes, which invariably leads to the onset of rhinitis. People often refer to colds, which is fundamentally wrong, because these diseases have pathogens - viruses.

Colds develop gradually, while viruses most often strike suddenly, accompanied by a jump in temperature. With a cold, the following symptoms gradually increase:

Increasing runny nose, sometimes sore throat;
When the edema passes from the larynx to the bronchi, a cough begins;
Signs of general malaise: weakness, aches, lack of appetite;
The temperature does not rise above 38 ° C;

Respiratory disease, if ignored, causes bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media, rhinitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, laryngitis, pharyngitis.

Frequent colds are the result of malfunctions in the human immune system, caused by a variety of reasons.

Reduced immunity - the cause of frequent colds

Immunity is given to a person from birth, and when resistance to disease has high threshold, they say that a person has good health. In fact we are talking about the level of immunity, because it is he who is the main barrier between the human body and numerous pathogenic microbes.

A high level of immunity can be provided at the gene level (hereditary) or artificially modeled (). Sometimes immunity to a disease is acquired as a result of past illness(acquired immunity).

If for a number of reasons, or even for one reason, the work of the immune system is disrupted at least in one link, human body begins to fail in the attacks of diseases on different areas, and one of the first to be affected is the upper respiratory tract - the gateway of infection to the body. As a result - frequent colds, up to 4-6 per year.

Signs of reduced immunity

Determine the decrease in immunity yourself without additional research quite problematic, but there are a number of signs, the presence of which may be a reason to see a doctor:

Deterioration general well-being (chronic fatigue, weakness, headaches, aching muscles and joints);
Condition of skin, hair, nails(pallor and peeling of the skin, swelling under the eyes, dry and brittle hair, falling out badly, pale and brittle nails);
Protracted and and acute respiratory infections;
Absence of temperature during a cold;
Exacerbation of chronic diseases and an increase in the number of new diseases.

Decreased immunity is evidenced by the occurrence autoimmune diseases and frequent allergic reactions are evidence of the incorrect functioning of the immune system. The reasons for this may be the following:

Unbalanced diet;
Lack of physical activity;
Unfavorable living conditions (lack of sleep, overwork, poor ecology);
Uncontrolled intake of antibiotics.

The reasons for the decrease in immunity also include an increase in the level of hygiene in modern conditions life, which leads to "unemployment" and, consequently, a weakening of the immune system. Often these same reasons allergic reaction when the subject of attack immune cells become harmless antigens - pollen, house dust, volatiles cosmetics and perfumery.

Possible Complications

The consequences of reduced immunity are manifested in increased vulnerability various infections and, in particular, colds. Endless SARS and acute respiratory infections attack a weakened body and do not receive a proper rebuff. As a result, there is a need for more and more strong drugs, which, in turn, further lower the immune system.

The lack of immunity often causes autoimmune and allergic diseases. Most often, against the background of dysfunction of the immune system, there are multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid joint diseases.

How to boost immunity

Raising immunity is a complex and painstaking task, which includes a number of measures aimed at eliminating failure in a certain area of the immune system. Only a qualified specialist can determine this area.

Carrying out measures to raise immunity must be agreed with the attending physician or (in the case of drug therapy) an immunologist. Self-medication is fraught with the occurrence unpredictable consequences for the immune system and the whole body.

hardening

To obtain the desired effect from hardening procedures in order to increase immunity, it is necessary to have an idea about the hardening mechanism. When some areas of the skin are subjected to a sharp cooling, the body seeks to reduce heat loss by blood and lymph flow from the cooled areas and vasoconstriction. As a result, there accelerated cleansing tissues from toxins and dead cells, they heal and rejuvenate, their resistance increases.

However, for the body, this is a significant expenditure of energy, the burden falls on the kidneys, liver, lymphatic system. And if a person does not have an energy reserve, then during hardening, the resources necessary to activate the body's work may exceed the capabilities of the body. There is an overload of systems, and instead of gaining health, a person gets an illness, often associated with a cold.

Before engaging in hardening procedures, it is necessary to feel and accept the principles of hardening:

revise life priorities and tune in to faith in vitality the human body;
Plan the intensity and duration of hardening procedures based on the sensations of your body, observing the measure;
Observe the principle of gradualness - the body must withstand the load at an increasing pace, and not take the record barrier on the move, otherwise there is a risk of injury instead of a high result;
Like any healing procedures, hardening will give a result only with regular events. One missed procedure (as well as taking an antibiotic) can negate previous results;
Even with good health hardening measures lead to significant energy costs, so after the procedures it is necessary to replenish them - rub yourself with a hard towel or warm yourself under a hot shower (in a bath), and then dress warmly.

Hardening is one of fundamental principles increasing immunity, however, the approach to it should be as thorough as possible, since hardening procedures carried out illiterately can be harmful.

Physical exercise

Movement is life, one of the most insidious enemies modern man- hypodynamia. This also affects the immune system. Without movement, the rate of blood circulation decreases and lymphatic drainage slows down. This means an increasing slagging of the body and a lack of essential nutrients in the tissues, which leads to immunodeficiency.

However, like tempering, physical activity should be observed in moderation, again based on the resources of the body. For example, for pensioners aged 60-70 years, 15 minutes of daily exercise to significantly reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

The young body is able to withstand much more heavy loads, but even here it is necessary to know the line beyond which overload begins, and, therefore, harm instead of benefit. Intensive exercise for 1.5 hours makes a person susceptible to disease in the period of 72 hours after exercise.

Like hardening, physical activity gives positive results only in compliance with the principles of proportionality, regularity and gradualness.

Medications

TO medications to increase immunity, doctors resort in the most severe cases. This is explained by the fact that the mechanism of the immune system has not been studied enough, the impact on some components can lead to the suppression of others.

However, there are several groups of drugs prescribed for a decrease in immunity:

Herbal Immunostimulants: eleutherococcus, ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine, kalanchoe, echinacea, rosea rhodiola, hawthorn, aloe;
Animal products: thymalin, timaktid, thymogen, myelopid, T-activin, vilozen, immunofan;
Facilities microbial origin: Bronchomunal, Imudon, Likopid, IRS-19, Pyrogenal, Ribomunil;
Interferon inducers(stimulants): Amixin, Dipyridamole, Lavomax, Cycloferon, Arbidol, Kagocel, Neovir.

All medicinal drugs to raise immunity, they have side effects, and self-medication with these drugs is fraught with unpredictable consequences.

Traditional medicine

Folk recipes for raising immunity include products containing a variety of vitamins and minerals necessary for the full functioning of all body systems. First of all, you should make a diet, where in enough contains:

Water (2.5 - 3 l);
Dairy products;
Garlic;
Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries), fruits (apples, persimmons, bananas, pomegranates), vegetables (carrots, Bell pepper, pumpkin, zucchini);
Seafood and sea fish;
Nuts and seeds, honey and bee products;
Meat and fish, legumes and eggs.

Each product contributes to the chain of normalization of processes in the body, including immune ones. There are a number of recipes for raising immunity:

Chopped ginger root(about 2 cm long) boiled in 2 liters of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drink a glass twice a day with the addition of honey and lemon;
A mixture of honey and crushed perga is taken 1 tsp 3 times a day a quarter of an hour before meals;
A decoction of rose hips (100 g of fruit per 1 liter of water is boiled for 5 minutes) is left for 8 hours to infuse, take 1 tbsp. l. after meal;
Boil a glass of unpeeled oats in 800 ml of milk for 2 minutes, insist 30 min. , filter and squeeze. Drink 200 ml of decoction 3 r. per day for 30 min. before meals, course of treatment - 2 months;
Make a mixture of 5 g of mummy, juice of 3 lemons and 100 g of crushed aloe leaves, insist 24 hours in a dark place and take 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l.

Folk recipes include various products which may have unfavorable side effect just for your body. Before using them, try to get exhaustive information about the components.

Video

conclusions

Methods of healing the body and increasing immunity play, of course, important role V . However, there are other factors that big influence on the body's resistance. The main ones are bad habits and constant stress.

The life of a modern person, due to the increase in informatization of all aspects, is constantly accelerating. Nervous system does not cope with the amount of assimilated information and often fails. We begin to get upset over trifles, we are always irritated, we are in a hurry somewhere and all the time we do not have time. But the reasons for stress, fortunately, in Everyday life A little.

Do not give diseases an extra chance, help the immune system - and it will answer you with good health.

The main reason for constant colds is a weakened immune system. Find out what factors negatively affect defense mechanisms organism.

- the most popular disease that almost everyone has to deal with at least once in 1-2 years. The vast majority of colds are caused by viruses that cause inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract.

As a rule, the body tolerates a cold well. In most cases, the recovery process takes no more than 7-10 days, after which the body is fully restored. At the same time, there are many people who suffer from colds very often. So, if the average Ukrainian has a cold 2-3 times a year, then often ill people suffer 6 or more colds per year! What is the reason for constant colds?

A little about immunity

The reaction to the invasion of a foreign agent (antigen) is the development of an immediate cellular immune response: the body begins to produce special cells that capture the antigen. However, this is not our body's only line of defense against viruses and bacteria. There is also humoral immunity, consisting of chemically active molecules - blood serum proteins called immunoglobulins.

The third strategy for protecting the body is nonspecific immunity, which is a barrier that is formed by cells of the skin, mucous membranes and enzymes that destroy foreign cells in specific body environments.

Questions from readers

October 18, 2013, 17:25 Good afternoon My baby is 3 years 4 months old. As soon as it got cold outside, I immediately got a runny nose and cough. The cough seemed to go away, but a week later it started up again. Have tried many syrups. The cough began to come up, but when she coughs she looks like she's going to burp. We had a consultation with the local doctor. There is nothing terrible - just a cold, but the cough does not go away for a long time. The doctor prescribed another syrup, which did not give any result. Tell me - what to do? Thank you.

Ask a Question

Why immunity is reduced

There are many various reasons decrease immune status among which can be distinguished both hereditary and acquired. Most often, the cause of weakened immunity lies in the wrong way life, namely:

As you understand, the solution to the problem of frequent colds lies through the immune system. Activities aimed at, of course, will increase the body's resistance to infections. First of all, you need to change your lifestyle: eat right, exercise physical activity and take time to relax. Otherwise, you will constantly expose your body to dangers.