Around GMA

Article Inside Page

With the COVID-19 pandemic in our midst, many of us are taking extra precautionary steps to stay healthy.

From taking extra vitamins to frequent handwashing, these are proven ways to prevent the spread of the virus. However, it is also important to have a strong immune system to fight against any unwanted microorganisms.

According to Dr. Oyie Balburias of Pinoy MD, getting to know your immune system is the best defense for the coronavirus disease.

He said, “Ang ating immune system ang ating pang depensa kaya importante na makilala po ito.

“Wala po dapat ikatakot sa coronavirus dahil infectious man po siya ay 'di siya fatal. Tayo po ay ginawa ng Diyos na may panglaban para sa mga mikrobyo tulad ng coronavirus kaya importante na tingnan ang immune system kung ito po ay vulnerable o kompromiso.”

Check out the warning signs and what you can do to boost your immune system:

1. You frequent the bathroom

Source: jcomp for Freepik.com

Dr. Balburias claimed that if you have lots of tummy troubles, it could be a sign that your immune system is compromised.

He said, “Halos 70% ng ating immune system ay nasa tiyan o digestive tract.

“Kung kayo ay may chronic digestive symptoms o kung kayo ay napapainom ng maraming gamot para sa hyperacidity, kabag, pero 'yung digestive symptoms ninyo ay pabalik balik lamang, 'yan ay senyales na hindi at an optimum level ang inyong immune system.”

A great way to check your gut health, according to Dr. Balburias, is through observing your fecal matter.

“Ang inyong dumi ay repleksyon ng inyong gut health.

“Kung malusog po ang inyong gut health, ito ay repleksyon ng inyong immune system.

“Pero kung 'yung mga manifestations tulad ng diarrhea at constipation ay nangyayari sa inyo, most likely 'yung immune system ninyo ay maaring vulnerable na from diseases.”

2. Your wounds heal slowly

Source: psodaz for Freepik.com

When your skin is damaged, burned, or scraped, your immune system goes to work to protect the wound and help regenerate new skin.

“Ang immune system ang trabaho niyan ay 'di lamang mag depensa kundi pati na rin ang mag-repair,” Dr. Balburrias said.

The healing process depends on healthy immune cells. If your immune system is sluggish, your skin can't regenerate new cells in the replacement of old ones.

3. You feel tired all the time

Source: pressfoto for Freepik.com

Dr. Balburias said, “Kung may ginagawa kayo araw-araw na nagkokompromiso sa immune system tulad ng paninigarilyo, kakulangan sa tulog, o sobrang pagpupuyat, lahat po 'yan ay magdudulot ng risk sa inyong immune system.”

If you're not getting enough sleep and suffer from exhaustion, your immune system struggles. The way our body works is simple: it conserves energy to fuel the immune system so it could fight off germs.

The same rule applies to long-term stress.

Stress weakens and decreases the body's lymphocytes, the white blood cells that fight off infection. If you have low levels of lymphocytes, the more you're at risk for viruses like the common cold.

How to boost your immune system

If you feel like the warning signs seem familiar, you might want to give your immune system some extra attention. A few lifestyle changes can keep your immune system strong healthy.

These are the following:

• Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep and try to minimize stress
• Don't smoke
• Wash your hands regularly
• Keep up with the vaccines

The key to great health lies in our bodies, most specifically the immune system. The more you can do to protect it, the better it can protect you from viruses such as COVID-19.