With the
warm and
refreshing
spring air
every
year,
comes
Pollenocalypse
or the
evident
Pollen
allergy —
a type of
outdoor
allergy
caused by
pollen
grains
from
plants. It
is one of
the most
common
outdoor
allergies
in India
affecting
between
10% to 40%
of the
population
annually.
The major
sources of
allergens
include
pollen
grains,
fungal
spores,
foods,
insects,
and dust
mites.
Symptoms
include
sneezing,
runny
nose,
itchy
eyes, and
congestion.
If you
feel the
allergy
season is
getting
longer and
more
intense
over time
– you are
not wrong!
Allergy
risk is
getting
worse over
time. The
length and
intensity
of pollen
seasons
are
growing,
largely
due to
climate
change.
The trend
is real
and as the
planet
continues
to warm
up, there
seems to
be more
misery in
store.
Our
immune
system
plays a
vital role
in
fighting
against
pollen
allergies
and
seasonal
cases of
flu. When
a person
is exposed
to
allergens
such as
pollen or
viruses
that cause
seasonal
flu, the
immune
system
produces
antibodies
to fight
against
harmful
pathogens
and
foreign
invaders.
In this
article,
we will
explore
the role
of
immunity
in the
body, how
to boost
immunity,
and
diseases
to watch
out for
during
changes in
weather
and flu
season!
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The
Defender
Within:
Unraveling
the
Mysteries of
the Immune
System
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The
immune
system is
a complex
network of
cells,
tissues,
and organs
that work
together
to protect
the body
from
harmful
pathogens
and
foreign
invaders.
Without
this
system,
humans
would be
defenceless
against a
barrage of
infectious
diseases
that could
quickly
wipe out
entire
populations.
But did
you know
that the
immune
system is
not
infallible?
Despite
its
incredible
capabilities,
the immune
system can
sometimes
fail to
recognize
and
destroy
dangerous
invaders.
This can
lead to a
host of
health
problems,
including
autoimmune
diseases,
allergies,
and even
cancer.
Despite
these
challenges,
the immune
system has
evolved to
be
incredibly
powerful
and
efficient.
One of the
key
components
of this
system is
the
microbiota
– the
trillions
of
bacteria
that live
in and on
the human
body.
These
bacteria
play a
crucial
role in
training
and
developing
the immune
system,
helping it
to
recognize
and
respond to
a wide
range of
threats.
In turn,
the immune
system
helps to
regulate
the growth
and
activity
of these
bacteria,
creating a
delicate
balance
that is
essential
for
maintaining
good
health.
But the
human
immune
system is
not just a
passive
defence
mechanism.
It is also
capable of
learning
and
adapting
to new
threats,
producing
a wide
range of
antibodies
and other
immune
cells that
can target
even the
most
elusive
pathogens.
And
despite
the
challenges
posed by
emerging
diseases
and
antibiotic-resistant
bacteria,
researchers
continue
to make
incredible
strides in
understanding
the immune
system and
developing
new
treatments
and
therapies.
As we
continue
to study
and learn
about the
human
immune
system, we
are
constantly
unlocking
new
secrets
and
discovering
new ways
to harness
its power.
Whether it
is through
groundbreaking
research,
cutting-edge
treatments,
or simple
trivia and
facts,
there is
always
something
new to
learn
about this
incredible
system
that keeps
us healthy
and
thriving.
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Understanding
the
Defences:
The Role of
Immunity in
the
Body
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The
immune
system is
composed
of several
different
types of
cells,
including
white
blood
cells,
antibodies,
and
natural
killer
cells.
These
cells work
together
to
identify
and
neutralize
harmful
pathogens
and
abnormal
cells. The
immune
system
also has a
memory,
which
allows it
to
recognize
and
destroy
pathogens
that it
has
encountered
before.
The
immune
system is
responsible
for
several
important
functions
in the
body,
including:
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Protection Against
Pathogens
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The immune system
is the body’s
first line of
defence against
harmful pathogens
such as bacteria,
viruses, and
parasites. White
blood cells, such
as T cells and B
cells, recognize
and neutralize
these pathogens,
preventing them
from causing
illnesses and
infections.
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Destruction of
Abnormal Cells
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The immune system
also recognizes
and destroys
abnormal cells,
such as cancer
cells. Natural
killer cells
identify and
destroy these
cells before they
can become
cancerous.
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The immune system
has a memory,
which allows it to
recognize and
neutralize
pathogens that it
has encountered
before. This
memory is what
allows vaccines to
be effective.
Vaccines contain
weakened or dead
pathogens that
stimulate the
immune system to
produce
antibodies. If the
body encounters
the same pathogen
again, the immune
system is able to
recognize and
destroy it before
it can cause an
infection.
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Doubling up
on Defences:
Boosting
Immunity
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The
immune
system is
complex
and
involves
several
different
factors.
There are
several
things
that
individuals
can do to
support
their
immune
system and
improve
their
overall
health.
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A healthy diet is
essential for
maintaining a
strong immune
system. Eating a
diet rich in
fruits,
vegetables, whole
grains, and lean
proteins provides
the body with the
nutrients it needs
to function
properly. Some
nutrients that are
particularly
important for
immune function
include vitamin C,
hence including
citrus fruits like
mosambi, oranges,
lemon, amla,
guava, and kiwi
etc can be
consumed. A shot
of amla or added
to the diet every
day for the flu
season. Turmeric,
which contains
curcumin, is also
known for its
immune-boosting
properties and can
be added to food
or consumed as a
supplement.
Consuming foods
with probiotics,
like yoghurt, can
also help boost
immunity.
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Vaccines are an
effective way to
prevent various
diseases and
health conditions,
including
influenza,
pneumonia,
allergies and
more. In the case
of influenza,
vaccines work by
stimulating the
immune system to
produce antibodies
that recognize and
fight against the
influenza virus.
Vaccines for
pneumonia work in
a similar way, by
stimulating the
immune system to
produce antibodies
against the
bacteria that
cause pneumonia.
Allergy vaccines,
also known as
immunotherapy,
work by exposing
the immune system
to small amounts
of allergens,
which helps the
body gradually
build up immunity
to the allergen.
Vaccines can help
prevent the spread
of certain
diseases, reduce
the risk of
infection, and
help maintain
overall
health.
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Sleep is
essential for
overall health,
and it is
particularly
important for
immune function.
Lack of sleep can
weaken the immune
system and
increase the risk
of
infections.
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Regular exercise
has been shown to
improve immune
function. Exercise
helps to increase
blood flow and
circulation, which
can improve the
delivery of immune
cells to different
parts of the body.
It is recommended
that individuals
engage in moderate
exercise for at
least 30 minutes a
day, most days of
the week.
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Chronic stress
can weaken the
immune system and
increase the risk
of infections.
Finding ways to
manage stress,
such as through
meditation, yoga,
or deep breathing,
can help to
support immune
function.
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Smoking can
weaken the immune
system and
increase the risk
of infections.
Quitting smoking
can improve
overall health and
support immune
function,
especially during
the flu season
when the
respiratory system
is under
duress.
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Here’s to
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lives, one
newsletter
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Diseases to
Watch Out
for During
Changes in
Weather and
Flu
Season
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The
changing
of seasons
can
increase
the risk
of certain
illnesses
and
infections.
During the
fall and
winter
months,
the risk
of colds,
flu, and
other
respiratory
infections
increases.
In
addition,
changes in
temperature
and
humidity
can also
increase
the risk
of certain
illnesses.
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The flu is a
highly contagious
respiratory
illness caused by
the influenza
virus. Symptoms
include fever,
cough, sore
throat, body
aches, and
fatigue. The flu
can be especially
dangerous for
young children,
the elderly, and
people with
weakened immune
systems. The flu
vaccine can help
prevent the flu
and reduce the
severity of
symptoms if
contracted.
Protective
immunity against
the flu develops
about 1 to 2 weeks
after vaccination
and can last up to
a year. In the
case of the common
cold, the body
develops immunity
to the specific
strain of the
virus that caused
the infection but
not to other
strains.
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The common cold
is a viral
infection of the
upper respiratory
system. Symptoms
include cough,
runny nose, sore
throat, and
congestion. While
the common cold is
usually mild, it
can lead to more
serious
respiratory
infections in
certain people,
such as those with
asthma.
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Allergies can be
triggered by
changes in weather
and can cause
symptoms such as
sneezing, runny
nose, itchy eyes,
and congestion.
Allergies can be
caused by pollen,
mould, dust, and
other
environmental
factors. Allergies
occur when the
immune system
overreacts to a
harmless
substance, such as
pollen or pet
dander. Allergies
can weaken the
immune system and
increase the risk
of secondary
infections, such
as sinusitis or
ear infections.
The duration of
immunity varies
depending on the
type of allergy
and varies from a
few weeks to a
lifetime.
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Asthma is a
chronic lung
disease that can
be triggered by
changes in weather
and environmental
factors. Symptoms
include wheezing,
coughing, and
difficulty
breathing. Asthma
can be managed
with medication,
but it can be
life-threatening
if left untreated.
Asthma is a
chronic
respiratory
condition that can
be triggered by
allergens,
exercise, or other
irritants. Asthma
can weaken the
immune system and
increase the risk
of secondary
infections such as
pneumonia. The
duration of
immunity in asthma
depends on the
type of asthma and
the severity of
the
symptoms.
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Pneumonia is an
infection of the
lungs that can be
caused by viruses,
bacteria, or
fungi. Symptoms
include fever,
cough, chest pain,
and difficulty
breathing.
Pneumonia can be
especially
dangerous for
young children,
the elderly, and
people with
weakened immune
systems. The
duration of
immunity depends
on the type of
pneumonia and the
individual’s
immune system. In
general,
protective
immunity against
bacterial
pneumonia lasts
for several years,
while immunity
against viral
pneumonia is
shorter.
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Strep throat is a
bacterial
infection of the
throat that can be
spread through
coughing and
sneezing. Symptoms
include sore
throat, fever, and
swollen lymph
nodes. Strep
throat can be
treated with
antibiotics. The
duration of
immunity against
strep throat
depends on the
type of strep
bacteria and the
individual’s
immune system. In
general, if
treated properly,
immunity against
strep throat can
last for several
years.
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To
prevent
these
diseases,
it is
important
to
practice
good
hygiene,
such as
washing
your hands
frequently,
covering
your mouth
and nose
when
coughing
or
sneezing,
avoiding
close
contact
with sick
people,
and
staying
home if
you are
sick.
Additionally,
getting
vaccinated
for the
flu and
pneumonia
can help
prevent
these
diseases.
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The
immune
system is
a complex
network
that
protects
the body
from
harmful
pathogens
and
foreign
invaders.
The
importance
of the
immune
system
cannot be
overstated,
as it
plays a
crucial
role in
maintaining
good
health and
preventing
diseases.
The immune
system can
be
supported
through a
healthy
diet,
regular
exercise,
getting
enough
sleep,
managing
stress,
and
quitting
smoking.
During the
flu season
and
changes in
weather,
it is
important
to take
extra
precautions
to avoid
falling
ill.
Employers
should
also take
measures
to prevent
the spread
of illness
in the
workplace,
such as
encouraging
sick
employees
to stay
home,
providing
flu
vaccinations,
and
implementing
hygiene
protocols.
With
continued
research
and
advancement
in the
field of
immunology,
we can
better
understand
the immune
system and
find new
ways to
improve
our
defenses
against
illnesses
and
diseases.
We can
lead
healthier
and
happier
lives by
taking
care of
our bodies
and
supporting
our immune
systems.
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Better
immunity for
everyone!
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