What Are the Signs of a Weak Immune System?

Your body aches, you have indigestion, and even the smallest injuries take weeks to heal. What in the world is wrong with you? The culprit could be a weakened immune system. While these symptoms are certainly troubling, there are plenty of things you can do to support your immune system and make it stronger. Read on to learn the answers to “What are the signs of a weak immune system?”, “What causes a weak immune system?”, and more, plus how Teramune is here to help boost your immunity with certified organic essential oils.

What Is a Weak Immune System? 

A weak immune system is one that cannot function as it should. Rather than protecting you from disease, a weakened immune system can actually make you more susceptible to illness.

What Causes a Weak Immune System?

Generally, long-term use of medications can weaken your immune system. Long-lasting periods of illness, such as cancer, will gradually wear away at your immune system, weakening it over time. Weak immune systems can sometimes be hereditary, so if you suspect that your immune system is weak but aren’t sure why, see if it runs in your family.

What Are the Effects of a Compromised Immune System?

When your immune system isn’t working at full capacity, it can't defend your body properly against invasive cells such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells. These invasive cells are called antigens, and it's your immune system’s responsibility to protect you from them. As an effect of a compromised immune system, you can develop bacterial, viral, or fungal infections or certain cancers.

People with weak immune systems tend to get sick more often than the average person. These periods of sickness are sometimes more severe or longer-lasting than they otherwise would be. Eventually, a weak immune system can result in more severe health conditions such as an autoimmune disease or even cancer.

Another concern is that up to 25% of people with a weakened immune system develop some form of auto-immune disease. Part of the reason people with immunodeficiencies have a reduced ability to fight off antigens is because their immune systems can’t differentiate between an invasive cell and a beneficial cell. An autoimmune disease is a more severe version of this already present issue: instead of just attacking antigens, the body also confuses its own tissue for invasive cells and attacks it.

What Causes a Weak Immune System?

So what causes a weak immune system? There are two different types of immune system deficiencies:

• Genetic: Some people are born with a weakened immune system, typically because this issue runs in their family.
• Acquired: The immune system can be weakened, as mentioned above, due to the consistent use of certain medications or due to a persisting health condition such as diabetes. Fortunately, the latter can often be prevented through a change in lifestyle. For example, in order to protect yourself from getting diabetes, keep an eye on your blood sugar level, eat healthfully, and exercise.

A weak immune system can ultimately reduce life expectancy. This is more likely to occur if you don’t address the issue early on, so if you feel that your immune system might be weakened, try to adopt the healthy habits above or start taking immune-boosting supplements.

Why Should I Care About My Immune System?

The immune system plays a vital role in your health and well-being, so it’s important to take good care of it. While there are still things you can do once your immune system is weakened, it's better to act preventatively. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you’re feeling poorly, try to figure out why this is. Are you logging too many hours at the office, indulging in salty and sugary snacks, or spending too much time in front of the TV? With a busy lifestyle, it can be difficult to prioritize your health, but it's one of the most important factors in your lifelong success and happiness.

What Are the Signs of a Weak Immune System?

If you suspect you may have a compromised immune system, take careful inventory of your health for the following symptoms.

1.Repeated infection

If you have a weak immune system, you might get a common illness such as a cold or flu more often than normal. When you get sick, your symptoms may last longer than they should. Typically, respiratory infections (such as sinus or lung infection) can be an early indication of whether or not your immune system is functioning optimally. This is because respiratory infections are fairly common, making it easy to differentiate normal versus abnormal symptoms. 

People with a weakened immune system can also develop bacterial infections ranging from minor to severe. However, a simple bacterial infection will be more likely to develop into further complications. For example, a simple sore throat or cold can evolve into a more severe condition such as pneumonia.

Remember, having multiple colds in one season may not mean that your immune system has been compromised. You could just be having bad luck or something could be going around in your community. Children get sick a lot because they’re often in environments like school or daycare that expose them to infections. Their immune systems are also less developed than adults because they haven’t been exposed to that many types of infection yet. Since there could be a number of reasons why you or your child is frequently getting sick, do some research or talk to your doctor before you jump to any conclusions.

Whatever the reason behind it, being sick is tough! Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to boost your immune system that don’t have negative side effects. One simple yet effective step is to start taking an organic, essential oil-based supplement.

2.Ongoing Digestive Issues

As we discussed in our blog about the digestive system and its connection to the immune system, digestive issues are one sign that your immune system might be having problems. We invite you to read about the connection between the gut and the immune system to better understand how each impacts the other.

While we all prefer to eat tasty food, it's not always healthy for us, and that can take a toll on your immune system. Have you ever eaten something heavy for dinner and felt a little funny afterward? It’s easy to push that slight discomfort aside, but that’s your body’s way of telling you that what you just ate isn’t good for it. Again, it’s important to eat food you enjoy occasionally, but if you’re constantly eating unhealthful foods and ignoring the impact they have on your body (maybe even going so far as to take digestive pills to soothe your pains), this can result in longer-term health issues.

3. Allergies

In one of our previous blogs, we touch on the connection between the immune system and allergies. People with a weak immune system can be more sensitive to certain foods, dust, and pollen. Allergies can cause sneezing and coughing, as well as certain skin conditions like eczema. Allergies occur when your immune system becomes hypersensitive to exterior factors that shouldn’t bother it. Suddenly experiencing allergies is another indication that your immune system isn’t functioning as it should.

4. Fatigue

It’s one thing if you don’t sleep well and are tired the next day (it happens!), but it’s another if you're experiencing chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue is when you feel physically and mentally weak, often for multiple days in a row. Everything feels taxing, even small tasks. Fatigue can also manifest itself in other ways. You could develop memory issues, vertigo, and nausea. Fatigue is often a sign of a weak immune system or some kind of vitamin deficiency. If you’re experiencing fatigue, it can be very draining, so it’s important that you take the necessary steps to strengthen your immune system.

5. Aching Muscles

If you’re feeling physically weak, this could be the result of stress, depression, or, in some cases, nervous issues. Nervous issues often occur when your immune system is vulnerable. They can cause muscular and articulatory pains. You may feel a burning or tingling sensation in your thighs, arms, or other parts of your body. Another indication is if you notice your body is taking longer than normal to recover from physical tasks such as working out. If left unattended, a small nervous issue can turn into a more severe problem like tendinopathy. Again, it's better to listen to what your body’s telling you and address this issue early rather than to ignore it and risk suffering long-term consequences.

6. Prolonged healing process 

If you are healing too slowly, you might have an immune system issue. If you notice an irregularity in your ability to heal, check in with your doctor and get input on what you can do to better support your immune system.

If you’re suffering from an immune system related issue, remember to have patience with yourself and your body. Depending on the severity of the symptoms you experience, it may take a while for your body to recover—even if you’re doing the right things. It’s important to continue taking care of yourself, no matter how frustrated you’re feeling with your body. Eat well, rest, and relax. If you stick to good habits, you will eventually see results.

Give Your Immune System a Natural Boost

Boost your immune system today with Teramune’s organic immune support made with edible essential oils. Contact us to learn more about our products and how to use our supplements. With Teramune, you’ll enjoy greater peace of mind knowing your immune system is working at its best to keep you happy and healthy.

Sources:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20352638
• https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2020/march/weakened-immune-system
• https://www.bustle.com/p/7-surprising-signs-of-a-weakened-immune-system-16957748
• https://www.msdmanuals.com/fr/accueil/troubles-immunitaires/d%C3%A9ficits-immunitaires/pr%C3%A9sentation-des-d%C3%A9ficits-immunitaires
• https://www.rtbf.be/tendance/bien-etre/detail_5-signes-qui-montrent-que-votre-systeme-immunitaire-est-affaibli?id=9628434