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Humans cannot stop aging, aging is inevitable. All human organs and systems are affected by aging, and the immune system is no exception.1. What happens to the immune system as people age?
As we age, do we get sick more often than when we were younger? When the weather changes, does the body immediately feel unwell? And getting back to normal also takes longer than before? This is due to the weakening of the immune system over time.
There is no organ or part of the human body that can avoid the effects of aging, but fortunately the immune system is not affected too much. Compared to other organs of the body, in most cases, the immune system can still function quite well at any age, enough to ensure that the risks from infection or disease are not exceeded. higher than normal.
The immune system has a very complex structure, consisting of many different organs, tissues and cells. The synergistic action between the components helps the immune system fight off infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi,...).
Although less affected than other organs, but with age the immune system still weakens gradually. Medical researchers are still actively learning why the immune system declines over time and how it declines. Some questions already answered:
Why do most elderly people respond poorly to vaccines? In the human immune system there are cells called T cells, which are responsible for attacking infected cells, then remembering the pathogen so that it can fight it faster and more effectively in the future. future. As people age, fewer T cells are produced, while the response to vaccines depends on T cells, so the elderly do not respond well to vaccines. . In fact, there are exceptions, which is the case with the shingles vaccine, and that is one of the reasons why this vaccine is so effective when used in booster doses. Why do elderly people get sick more often? Not only does the number of immune cells decrease over time, the immune cells in the elderly do not work together very well, and thus the protection against pathogens is also less effective. Why do older people take longer to recover from injury or illness? The elderly body makes fewer immune cells, including white blood cells, resulting in a longer recovery.
2. Is it possible to tell when the immune system starts to weaken?
The weakening of the immune system does not occur at a certain age, each person will occur at a different time, so there is no way to know in advance. And until now, there is no test that tells us that the immune system is not in optimal condition.
Therefore, it is very important to have regular health check-ups, and if you are sick often or find yourself recovering too slowly from illness or injury.
3. Ways to keep the body healthy
There are many simple habits and actions that will help your body stay healthy:
Always pay attention to your health: If you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis , or other problems affecting physical and mental activities, follow your doctor's prescriptions and instructions. Good control of your own disease is the first condition for a healthy body. Get enough sleep, get a good night's sleep: Studies have shown very clearly that too little sleep, or low quality sleep, weakens the immune system, even in young people. You should at least make sure to get 7 hours of sleep each night, and if you have symptoms like snoring, trouble sleeping, tossing and turning, see your doctor, because they are signs of a disorder. sleep .
Take measures to reduce stress: Stress over time weakens the body's immune responses. Stress puts a lot of pressure on the body, causing a series of other problems such as poor sleep quality, eating disorders, ... and eventually they all weaken the immune system. Limit contact with sick people: It is a clear fact that the elderly need to be especially cautious about exposure to pathogens, because these people are more susceptible than younger adults. Try to limit close contact with people who are suffering from infectious diseases (such as colds, flu, ...), and practice good personal hygiene, the first of which is proper hand washing. regularly .
Use the full vaccine, on time : Although the response to vaccines in the elderly may not be as effective as in the younger people, vaccination is still an important way to lower your risk of many serious illnesses, including the flu and pneumonia. Make sure to use the vaccine fully and on time. Avoid sedentary lifestyle: Moderate exercise regimes will help keep the body healthy, and make the immune system work better. A healthy, balanced diet: No diet will boost immunity, but a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals will help the body in general, the immune system says. individually, operating at its best. Eating a healthy, balanced diet also helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which is important for a healthy body.
Don't smoke: Smoking weakens the immune response, making the body more susceptible to disease. Therefore, absolutely do not smoke. Customers can directly go to Vinmec health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
Reference article source: webmd.com