Mr Suleiman had just gotten back from a long trip. He was about to shower when he slumped and fell with a loud thud inside the bathroom. This noise attracted his wife and she rushed into the bathroom. She cried out for help and their maid who was cooking in the kitchen ran into their bedroom. They lifted him and rushed him to the hospital.
'Madam, thank God you brought your husband here on time. He is getting better now. However, he suffered from high blood pressure, which is a type of chronic inflammation disease.' The doctor said
'Thank God! Thank you, doctor. We did not know he had high blood pressure. He just got back from a long trip. Maybe that is the reason for the increase in blood pressure' Mrs Suleiman replied.
'Applicable. Also, a poor lifestyle and dietary choice could lower one's immune system thereby predisposing one to different types of chronic inflammatory diseases. Boosting one's immune system through appropriate lifestyle and dietary choices could help in preventing this. I will give you the contact of a health and lifestyle coach who specializes in helping people achieve optimal health. You can schedule an appointment with her so she would help you to make healthy choices to boost your immune system'
'Alright, thank you very much doctor.'
The immune system responds to infections by causing inflammatory responses that fight against these infections. However, when these inflammatory responses become prolonged, it becomes chronic and can lead to various types of chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension amidst others. Prolonged inflammatory response is a sign of a weakened immune system. This weak immune system predisposes the individual to other forms of chronic inflammatory diseases. Boosting immunity is one of the most effective way to prevent chronic inflammatory diseases.
'A lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods, physical activity, reducing stress and getting enough sleep is known to keep the immune system in the best shape' Milner, a leader in the discovery of rare immune deficiency disorders of children. Tips for boosting immunity include:
1. Eat healthy diet: Eat food rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins. They provide the key nutrients needed to boost your immune system. Avoid processed and sugary foods to prevent inflammation and boost immunity.
2. Be physically active: Studies have proven that exercise has anti-inflammatory effects. It also helps to boost the immune system. Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily like walking.
3. Get good quality sleep: Lack of good quality sleep takes a negative toll on the immune system. It increases the risk of cancer and viral infections. It also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus. Sleep for at least 7 hours every night to boost your immunity.
4. Minimize stress: Stress is an unavoidable part of our everyday life. However, it can be managed and minimized. Physical and psychological stress have negative impact on the immune system. Find healthy ways to de-stress such as meditation, deep-breathing exercises.
5. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water helps to boost the immunity. Drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day.
6. Avoid smoking: Smoking impacts negatively on the immune system. It decreases the immune system's response rate to infections.
Making small changes to your lifestyle and diet can have a tremendous impact on your overall health. Take care of your immune system today to prevent chronic inflammatory diseases in the future.
NB: We are bio individuals which is to say not all size fits all. Prioritizing yourself and your journey with the support and guidance of a health coach will further help in your progress and such a person would be able to get detailed information about themselves that could facilitate results.
