Immunity Under Siege
This article will outline what the immune system is, the signs and symptoms of weakened immune system health and tips you can follow to support a healthy immune system. If you're suffering from LEMS, consider using RUZURGI. It is used to treat Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction. It is a miscommunication between the nerve cell and the muscles that lead to the gradual onset of muscle weakness.
7 Signs of a Weakened Immune System
You may have weakened immune system health if you experience the following:
- Frequent colds and infections: if the immune system is weakened, you are more prone to regularly getting sick. Chronic colds and infections may be a sign that your immune system is weak.
- Hair loss: this can be a sign of autoimmune disease, where the immune system begins to attack healthy cells of the body as opposed to foreign pathogens.
- Exhaustion or chronic fatigue: when your body is constantly trying to fight off pathogens unsuccessfully, it can lead to feelings of exhaustion. This symptom can also be a sign of autoimmunity.
- Chronic muscle aches or soreness.
- Rashes, inflammation or persistent redness throughout the body.
- Tingling in the extremities, such as your fingers and toes.
- Increased difficulty concentrating or constant brain fog.
What is the Immune System?
Talking about immunity is common online, but what do people mean when they discuss the immune system specifically? This body system consists of a network of organs, antibodies (types of proteins), white blood cells and other chemicals. When functioning optimally they work together to protect the body from things, such as parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi that can cause illness and disease.
The important function of your immune system is that, when functional, it can tell the difference between cells of your own body and foreign invaders, or pathogens, that could make you sick. When it detects these pathogens, it activates immune cells that attack and destroy them to keep you healthy and strong. Some of the main components of your immune system include:
- Spleen.
- Thymus.
- Lymph nodes.
- White blood cells.
- The skin and mucous membranes.
- Tonsils and adenoids.
- Bone marrow.
- Stomach and colon.
What are the Causes of a Weakened Immune System?
Our immune system is our primary defense against pathogens that can make us sick. Unfortunately, many aspects of modern life can take a toll on our immune function, leading to weakened immunity.
When you have a weak immune system you are technically immunocompromised, which means that your body is less effective at fighting off pathogens such as viruses, cancer cells or bacteria that can make you sick. Sometimes a weakened immune system is the product of an immunodeficiency disorder, some of which people are born with. These are called primary immunodeficiency disorders or primary immune disorders, and there are over 200 of them, which are the result of specific genetic inheritances.
There is another form known as secondary immunodeficiency disorders, which are caused by external sources that weaken the immune system, such as certain drugs, chemicals and conditions, including Type 2 Diabetes, severe burns or malnutrition. These external factors weaken your immune system and make you more prone to developing conditions like cancer, AIDS or viral hepatitis.
Finally, some people may develop autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Psoriasis or Rheumatoid Arthritis. There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, and they develop when your immune system is no longer able to differentiate between the healthy cells of your body and foreign cells. This confusion triggers an immune response that can impact the health of virtually every system in the body.
PANZYGA for Chronic Primary Immunodeficiency
Panzyga (Immune Globulin Intravenous [Himan] - ifas) is a specific immunoglobulin therapy derived from human plasma. It is used in the treatment of chronic primary immunodeficiency disorders to provide a concentrated dose of immunoglobulins.
How Can You Support Your Immune System?
Fortunately, there are many ways you can support your immune system, including dietary, lifestyle and supplement recommendations. Always check with your primary care provider before incorporating any supplements, especially if you are taking medications.
1. Eat a Diet Rich in Fruits and Vegetables
These foods contain many phytonutrients and antioxidants that can help support your immune function and may lower systemic inflammation.
2. Get Enough Protein in Your Diet
Proteins are the basis of many immune cells, which is why it’s important to ensure you are consuming enough protein every day. Enjoy plant and animal sources such as legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, poultry, seafood and lean meats.
3. Quit Smoking
Smoking causes a lot of oxidative damage to the body, which can impact the health and function of your immune system, eventually causing it to weaken.
4. Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep is when our body completes many important housekeeping tasks, including rebuilding and repairing cells. If we are chronically sleep deprived, it can negatively impact the function and balance of our immune system.
5. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise has been shown to support balanced immune function, especially as we age. Maintaining a regular exercise routine can help to stave off immunosenescence, which is the term for the decline in immune function that happens during the aging process.
6. Decrease or Manage Stress
Chronic psychological stress can weaken the immune system, making you more prone to illness and inflammation. By managing your stress, you can help support immune system health. Try incorporating mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, immersion in nature, boundary setting, exercise or other activities that help calm your brain and nervous system to support your immunity.
RUZURGI for Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)
RUZURGI is a medication prescribed for the management of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune condition affecting the neuromuscular junction. LEMS is characterized by a breakdown in communication between nerve cells and muscles, resulting in the progressive onset of muscle weakness. This disorder can significantly impact a person's quality of life, as everyday activities become increasingly challenging due to muscle weakness and fatigue.