by Karen Heslop
There’s a lot of advice out there about boosting your immune system but how do you even know when it’s in trouble? One way people usually identify that their immune system might not be at its best is that they get sick a lot. Unfortunately, there are more signs that can be easier to miss. By keeping an eye out for what’s going on with your body, you’ll know when to take action.
1. You’re Tired All The Time
This one is especially important if you’re doing everything you can to get a good night’s rest. If you’re not well, your immune system has to put in extra work to fight off the infection. When your system is not at its best, this can take longer and more energy. The result is chronic fatigue that you don’t know how to get rid of. It will be more pronounced if you’re dealing with chronic inflammation.
2. Your Hands Are Always Cold
If your immune system is struggling, you’re likely to have inflammation throughout your body. When this swelling affects the blood vessels, the extremities such as your hands and ears don’t get the blood flow they need. In that case, they’ll be cold all the time and react badly to a chilly environment.
3. You Have Headaches
Inflammation in the blood vessels can lead to vasculitis, which may result in chronic headaches. You should pay particular attention to these if they don’t seem to be caused by anything.
4. You Have Unexplained Rashes
Believe it or not, your skin is an important part of your immune system. It acts as a barrier to germs so when it’s not functioning well you’re likely to see irritation and breaks in the skin. This is most obvious as a recurring rash of unknown origin.
5. You Get Random Fevers
A fever is a natural reaction when your immune system is fighting an infection. However, if you keep getting high fevers or your temperature is consistently higher than normal, it could be a sign that your immune system is working too hard.
6. You Get White Patches On Your Skin
Sometimes, your immune system is working in ways it shouldn’t and so it attacks healthy cells. If this happens to your skin cells, you’ll see white patches all over your body. Your hair may also start to fall out if your system attacks hair cells.
7. You Have Digestive Issues
Another area that is often affected by a malfunctioning immune system is the stomach. If you find that you’re visiting the bathroom too often or not often enough, then you should pay attention. Your immune system might be attacking your stomach’s lining.
This can be caused by other issues but once again, a poorly functioning immune system can affect how well the digestive system works. Typically, the cause is inflammation in your esophagus.
9. Your Joints Are Aching
Unless you have a condition that causes aching joints or you’ve been more physically active than usual, there shouldn’t be chronic joint pain. If this is happening to you, it’s a sign that the lining of your joints is inflamed and your immune system might be the cause.
10. Your Wounds Take Forever To Heal
The immune system is integral to how quickly and how well wounds heal. There are actually four different aspects involved in the healing process so a disruption in any of them can cause delays.
How To Take Care Of Your Immune System
As you might expect, a strong immune system is built on taking care of yourself overall. It’s a good idea to have a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables as well as healthy sources of fat. You should also exercise regularly, sleep well, maintain low stress levels, and stay away from poor lifestyle habits like smoking. Finally, you should never ignore changes in your body. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
It’s important to note that all the signs on this list can also indicate a chronic illness. Even if you don’t feel sick, it’s a good idea to see your doctor regularly so they can appraise your health. They’ll also be able to tell you what changes you need to make to maintain your health as you age.
