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Causes of Frequent Infections

by | Dec 26, 2022 | Info | 0 comments

Causes of Frequent Infections

Chronic stress or sleep deprivation are factors that can often cause people to keep getting sick. Although simple lifestyle changes are sometimes enough to improve these issues, this is not always the case.

Frequently getting sick can be disruptive as well as uncomfortable. It may also lead to more serious health complications over time. For this reason, it is important to identify the causes of frequent sickness and deal with them effectively.

If an individual keeps getting sick due to an underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disease or anxiety disorder, treating the condition may reduce the frequency of illness.

Leading a healthful lifestyle that includes exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition can help prevent a range of factors that cause people to keep getting sick.

Following some of the common reasons why people keep getting sick:

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of common mental health conditions that affect about 19.1 percent of adults in the United States each year. There are several types of anxiety disorder, but they share the same primary symptom of a state of excessive worry or panic.

Anxiety disorders can affect the body in several ways that may contribute to recurring sickness. For example, anxiety disorders can cause the following:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Heart palpitations, or rapid heartbeat
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Trembling

Over extended periods, an anxiety disorder can also lead to physical health complications. For example, patients with anxiety disorders have a higher risk of heart disease and early death.

Several different treatments are available for anxiety disorders. Talking therapies, such as CBT, are one option. Antidepressants, beta-blockers, or other medications can help with the symptoms of anxiety too.

Research also shows that engaging in mindfulness meditation or physical activity can benefit patients with anxiety disorders.


Immune System Disorders

Many disorders can affect the immune system, which is a collection of organs, tissues, and cells that work together to defend the body against infection and disease. Several problems can occur with the immune system, and these may be due to the following:

  • A disease that weakens the immune system, such as HIV
  • Congenital abnormalities 
  • An overactive immune system, which may cause allergic reactions
  • Fault that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue, such as an autoimmune disorder

It is possible to get sick regularly when the immune system is not functioning correctly. The reason for this is that the body is unable to fight off germs, such as bacteria, properly.

If an infection occurs, it can take longer than usual to recover. It is possible to acquire another illness during this time, which may cause a constant feeling of being unwell.

It will be necessary to treat any disease affecting the immune system, and this will usually involve different types of medication.

Many manufacturers make products that they claim can boost the immune system, but it is very difficult to promote its activity. Drinking a particular type of tea or taking supplements will not affect the function of immune system.

Leading a healthful lifestyle is the best way to support the immune system. Doing this may include the following:

  • Avoiding triggers of stress where possible
  • Eating a nutritious diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Avoiding tobacco
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Quitting alcohol or drinking in moderation


Sleep

Sleep plays an important role in our health. The body uses its time asleep to recover and rest to prepare for the next day. Not getting enough sleep can disrupt this process and have consequences for the next day. Sleep deprivation can cause the following:

  • Anxiety
  • Difficulty processing thoughts
  • Drowsiness
  • Feelings of depression
  • Irritability
  • Microsleeps, which are episodes of briefly falling asleep while awake
  • Inability to concentrate

Over time, sleep deprivation can have more serious consequences. It is possible for sleep deprivation to increase the risk of:


Stress

Stress is a part of everyday life for most people. However, chronic stress persists over time and can adversely affect health.

Over time, persistent stress can contribute to the development of several chronic health conditions. These conditions range from heart disease to depression.

Chronic stress can also cause a range of symptoms, including the following:

  • Attention problems
  • Difficulty sleeping 
  • Digestive issues
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent infections and illness
  • Headaches
  • Irritability 
  • Rapid, disorganized thoughts

Dealing with chronic stress involves identifying and tackling the leading causes of stress, which can be challenging and may require significant life changes, such as finding a different job or ending an existing relationship.

Some other methods of stress reduction include the following:

  • A healthy diet
  • Mindfulness meditation
  • Regular exercise
  • Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)


How to Reduce the Risk of Infection

Most people experience colds or the flu from time to time. However, there are some proven ways to reduce the chances of becoming infected.

Although most cold and flu infections occur during the fall and winter seasons, the viruses responsible for these illnesses are present year-round.

Fighting off a viral infection takes its toll on most people, causing them to miss days at work and valuable time with their friends and families.


Avoiding Cigarette Smoke

Smoking is a known risk factor for several diseases, such as asthma, cancer and respiratory infections. Breathing in secondhand smoke can also increase a person’s risk of developing these conditions.

People who smoke or regularly inhale cigarette smoke are also more likely to experience severe symptoms when they get colds or the flu. According to a review, cigarette smoke can affect the immune system and reduce a person’s ability to fight off infections.

Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke are great ways to improve overall health and reduce the chances of getting sick.


Disinfecting Surfaces

Viruses can survive on many different types of surfaces, including:

  • Fabrics
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Paper
  • Plastic

How long a virus can remain infectious on these surfaces depends on a variety of factors, such as the temperature and humidity. However, a 2016 study suggests that influenza viruses can survive outside the body for extended periods, possibly even months.

People can lower their risk of infection by using products that contain alcohol or bleach to disinfect frequently used objects, such as countertops, desks, and keyboards.

When using disinfectants and cleaning products, it is essential to read the labels and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that surfaces are properly disinfected.


Eating More Fiber

Dietary fiber has many health benefits, including regulating digestion, preventing constipation, and lowering the risk of a number of health conditions.

A 2018 study in mice suggests that dietary fiber may also boost the immune system.

The researchers compared the immune responses in mice that ate a low-fiber diet with those that ate a high-fiber diet. The results of the study suggest that the short-chain fatty acids present in dietary fiber enhanced the mice’s immunity to influenza infections.


Exercising

Regular physical activity can improve an individual’s general health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of a number of illnesses, including:

In addition to these benefits, research indicates that physical activity can also improve a person’s immune function and decrease their risk of respiratory infections.

A study also examined the benefits of meditation and exercise for preventing acute respiratory infections. The 8-week study followed 390 participants, who the researchers had randomly assigned to one of three groups:

  • No training (control group)
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training
  • Moderate-intensity exercise (EX) training

The researchers reported a 14–33 percent reduction in the number of acute respiratory infections among participants in the MBSR and EX groups, compared with the control group.

Patients in the MBSR and EX groups who developed acute respiratory infections also experienced less severe symptoms.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services state that any physical activity is better than none.

However, to experience substantial health benefits, they recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. A person can spread this activity throughout the week.

Viruses are present all year, but there are ways to prepare for cold and flu season and to reduce the chances of becoming sick.

Getting an annual flu vaccine and practicing good hygiene are great ways for a person to protect themselves and others.

Some lifestyle and dietary changes that can reduce the likelihood of getting sick include regular exercise, increasing zinc and fiber intake, and quitting smoking.

Getting Vaccination

According to the CDC, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against seasonal flu infections.

The flu develops when an individual becomes infected with an influenza virus. Flu vaccines contain influenza antigens, which signal the immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies can protect against invading flu viruses and keep people from getting sick.

There are four types of influenza virus, all of which can mutate throughout the year. These mutations can reduce the effectiveness of seasonal flu vaccines. If the vaccine is well-matched to the circulating influenza virus, it can prevent 40–60 percent of flu infections.

While flu vaccines do not guarantee total immunity, they can reduce the severity of symptoms and lower the risk of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Following are some other reasons to get a flu shot:

  • The CDC estimate that flu vaccination prevented 5 million influenza illnesses.
  • According to a study, adults in New Zealand who had received a flu vaccination were 59 percent less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit due to the flu, compared with individuals who were not vaccinated.
  • Another study found that flu vaccinations reduced the number of flu-related deaths in children aged 6 months to 17 years by 65 percent.


Keeping the Air Clean

Common colds and the flu are types of respiratory infection. The viruses that cause these illnesses replicate in the mucus membranes that line the respiratory tract, and they can travel through the air in tiny droplets of mucus.

This means that people with a cold or the flu can spread the virus whenever they cough or sneeze. For example, influenza viruses can travel up to 3.7 meters, around 12.2 feet, through the air after a person coughs or sneezes.

Individuals can reduce the risk of infecting others by staying home when they are ill and covering their faces when they sneeze or cough.


Practicing Good Hygiene

Viruses can enter the respiratory tract through a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. A person can infect themselves by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their face.

Washing the hands regularly and thoroughly with clean water and soap is an effective way to protect against viral infections. According to the CDC, proper hand washing can result in a 16–21 percent decrease in respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu.

If soap is not available, an individual can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.


Taking Zinc Supplements

Zinc is an important micronutrient that occurs naturally in meat, fish, nuts, and other foods.

According to a review, zinc deficiency can lead to a weakened immune response and inflammatory skin conditions. People with a weakened immune response are less able to fight off infections.

A 2017 meta-analysis suggests that zinc lozenges can reduce the duration of common colds by about 33 percent. Participants in the study were consuming between 80 and 207 milligrams of zinc per day.

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