A strong immune system works as a shield to protect against infections and diseases caused by pathogens and foreign substances. But sometimes, immunity can weaken, leaving one susceptible to several health issues. Also, the recovery time from these illnesses tends to get longer. Therefore, it is important to recognize the common signs of a weak immune system to maintain overall health and take the necessary precautions after consulting a primary care doctor.

Common signs of a weak immune system
Here are a few common signs of a weakened immune system:

• Frequent instances of infection
  When the immune system becomes weak, there are frequent infections. This happens because there is a decrease in the production of white blood cells and antibodies. These are responsible for fighting off bacteria and other germs that cause infectious diseases. As a result, one frequently experiences mild to severe infections such as the common cold, flu, and ear, urinary tract, and sinus infections.
• Wounds take time to heal
  Whenever there is a cut, burn, scrape, or any type of wound, white blood cells, antibodies, and essential nutrients flow through the blood to the wound area. This helps the damaged skin layers regenerate faster, so the wound heals quickly without any complications or infections. However, this essential function slows down when one’s immunity is weak. Thus, the skin takes time to regenerate, leading to slow wound healing.
• Frequent allergies
  With the immune system losing its strength, there is an onset of frequent allergies. A person who has never experienced any allergic symptoms may become susceptible as their immunity weakens. Frequently, sneezing, throat irritation, nasal blockage, nose irritation, watery eyes, and headaches will occur. Dust, pollen, animal dander, certain chemicals in the air, pollution, or seasonal changes trigger these.
• Risk of autoimmune diseases
  Autoimmune diseases occur when the body accidentally starts to attack healthy cells, mistaking them for pathogens. This can happen due to several factors, such as underlying health conditions or gene mutations. As a result, the immune system’s activity becomes abnormally high or slow. Some common autoimmune diseases that cause the immune system to become weak include Crohn’s disease, lupus, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Recover time increases
  The immune cells, or white blood cells, contain essential nutrients such as different types of proteins and compounds. Whenever one falls sick, the production of these cells increases to help the body recover. However, when the immune system is weak, there is a slowdown in releasing these cells. With a low number of immune cells, there is a deficiency in the number of nutrients flowing through the body. Therefore, one cannot get healthy sooner after any sickness.
• Frequent digestive issues
  The function of the digestive system depends on the health of the gut. It helps to break down food and keep bowel movements working efficiently. The gut requires the presence of a good amount of healthy bacteria to do this. However, when the immune system becomes weak, the number of good bacteria dwindles. This results in frequent digestive issues such as stomach aches, diarrhea, gas, constipation, or bloating.
• Constant fatigue
  A weak immune system means that the body’s defenses are weak. This can cause chronic fatigue or a persistent feeling of tiredness. Other symptoms often accompany this type of tiredness. These include constant body pain and aches in the muscles and joints. It becomes difficult to do routine activities. There is a disruption in one’s productivity levels at home and at work. The constant tiredness from a weak immune system doesn’t go away even after rest.
• Significant hair loss
  The immune cells contain different types of proteins. Some of these proteins are processed by the body to help grow and regenerate hair follicles. With the immune system weakening, the health of the hair follicles is also affected. This can lead to prominent hair loss. While losing some strands of hair in a day is normal, it can cause concern if the hair starts to fall significantly, such as in clumps.

Measures to take to strengthen the immune system
Multiple factors contribute to a strong immune system. These include a person’s genetic makeup, overall health, and family medical history. In addition, there are several measures that one can take to strengthen and support it for better health. These are as follows:

• Eat balanced and nutritious meals daily
  Including whole and fresh foods in one’s meals and snacks is important. These include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. All these have essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support the immune system’s functions.
• Always stay hydrated
  Drinking sufficient fluids throughout the day is important to keep the immune system working optimally. Water helps flush out toxins from the cells, while the electrolytes from other fluids help keep the cells functioning well. Fresh fruit juices, soups, smoothies, and herbal teas are great for staying hydrated all day.
• Follow an exercise routine
  Doing moderate physical activity daily or a couple of times every week helps improve overall health, including the immune system. Walking, running, swimming, or low- to mid-intensity workouts help to improve blood circulation, control blood sugar levels, and keep blood pressure under check.
• Maintain a regular sleep routine
  The body requires adequate sleep to keep the immune system healthy. When one sleeps for regular hours every day, their body can repair and regenerate efficiently. This enables the immune cells to fight off sickness and infections quickly.
• Learn to manage stress
  One of the significant effects of chronic stress over the long term is the weakening of the immune system. Due to stress, the body produces a high level of cortisol and norepinephrine hormones. These increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, making one more prone to illnesses and infections. Therefore, finding ways to manage and deal with stress is important.