iouaname Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 It seems like I'm always getting sick - much more so than any of my roommates, which seems weird to me because I am the most physically active of all of us. Could it be my diet? Something else I'm doing wrong? Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 stress can bring your immune system down, as can an underlying health problem. When was the last time you had a complete physical? 2 Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 It seems like I'm always getting sick - much more so than any of my roommates, which seems weird to me because I am the most physically active of all of us. Could it be my diet? Something else I'm doing wrong? How often do touch your face (nose, eyes, mouth) with your hands? And how often do you wash your hands? Do you take vitamin C pills and a multivitamin as well? Eat fruits/veggies with meals and also drink lots of water? This is silly but I think it works - If I'm out and someone walks by me coughing, I hold my breath and count to ten before I breath in again, that way there's no chance of me breathing in germs (especially during flu season). I wash my hands a lot, before eating and if I'm out, the first thing I do when home is head for the sink. Keeping your hands away from your face lessens the chances of getting sick as well. Getting enough sleep and also, taking care of yourself when you start to feel run down (listen to your body, if you don't feel well, rest up and drink honey and lemon tea, sleep it off). Link to post Share on other sites
Madman81 Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 It may not be anything you're doing. Some people, for no apparent reason, just seem to catch everything that comes around, while others don't. I'm one of the "others". Other than being sniffly occasionally (which I don't think counts), I usually get one flu-type thing (bad enough to necessitate a day off work) every year or every other year. That's it. (I've been saying for awhile that scientists should bottle my blood and sell it. ) My parents, who are now in their early 70s, are the same way -- they rarely get sick. My daughter actually has had a "periodic fever syndrome" since she was about 3 years old which gives her a low grade fever about once a month for a couple of days. It's basically described medically as an overactive immune system, the result being that she gets those periodic fevers and almost NOTHING else -- no ear infections, very few colds or flus, or really anything else kids usually get. Years ago she was around a little guy who broke out in chicken pox the next day, and my daughter contracted it too -- about the most mild and brief case of chicken pox it's possible to get. Her immune system basically just fights everything off and once a month gives her a fever spike, when it gets bored I guess. So, there may be nothing you can do. Eat a healthy diet, lots of fruit and veggies. Probably not much else you can do. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Perhaps you don't get enough sleep. Link to post Share on other sites
ASG Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I've also found that, not just stress, but being unhappy lowers the immune system. But we're all different, and with different immune systems. Last time I was in bed for more than a few hours due to illness was about 3 years ago, with a stomach thing. I'll get a cold or two a year, some of them knock me down and give me a fever, but never for more than a couple of hours, but most are quite mild and just sniffly. Link to post Share on other sites
JDPT Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I too suffer from terrible immune system. I literally walk away if someone next to me sneezing. I have no shame in doing so as I will know that's essentially all it takes for me to get sick. I like to think I eat healthy, and when I have blood work done everything checks out within range. I have yet to know what's wrong with me, if anything. Link to post Share on other sites
melell Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Sometimes small deficiencies can cause this. Often doctors wont test for vitamins (like the b's) in an initial blood panel. Like JDPT said, some people do have lowered immunity for no apparent reason. I think exposure is a big thing also, when living rurally, despite being around a lot of people I never really got sick. As soon as I move back to the city I would get sick a lot- my guess is different strains/viral things going around that I hadn't yet encountered. There are a lot of possible reasons. If it is really bothering you, do push for complete blood tests which include vitamins and minerals. I am not sure where you live, but where I am health care is state funded, so doctors wil avoid ordering expensive testing. Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's basically described medically as an overactive immune system, the result being that she gets those periodic fevers and almost NOTHING else -- no ear infections, very few colds or flus, or really anything else kids usually get. When I was a very very young kid I had a overactive immune system, to the point I had to be in hospital for a couple of weeks cause it was attacking my own organs - I have no idea what they did, I don't remember, I just took some meds and they fixed it..............I never thought to link that to the fact that I virtually never get sick! Guess it would make sense but I have always preached its an environment thing - being in the county, not being germ-phobic, and eating well & exercising. I got chicken pox mild too - I just got four 'poxes' on my chest and that was it. Intresting Link to post Share on other sites
EasyHeart Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It seems like I'm always getting sick - much more so than any of my roommates, which seems weird to me because I am the most physically active of all of us. Could it be my diet? Something else I'm doing wrong?What's your diet like? Are you eating lots of fruits and vegetables at every meal? What do you mean by "physically active"? Excessive exercise -- especially lots of cardio -- will weaken your immune system. That's why so many runners seem to have constant colds. Link to post Share on other sites
mea_M Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I'd question diet, adequate sleep and exercise. If your in the throws of a life change like menopause sometimes hormones can really mess with a persons immunity. Perhaps a consult with physician for a physical? That might be a good start? Mea :-) Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I don't get sick either but I do have an autoimmune disease (thyroid). I've often wondered if that is why. Seems logical. I also take loads of vitamins, drink lots of green and herbal teas and try to stay hydrated. All of that helps. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Babolat Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 It seems like I'm always getting sick - much more so than any of my roommates, which seems weird to me because I am the most physically active of all of us. Could it be my diet? Something else I'm doing wrong? Read the book "Never Be Sick Again", it was an eye opener for me. It has a lot to do with what you eat, of course, your intestinal tract (which is where 90% of your immune system is), food sensitivities, etc. Check out "Leaky Gut", too. Link to post Share on other sites
Babolat Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I've also found that, not just stress, but being unhappy lowers the immune system. But we're all different, and with different immune systems. Last time I was in bed for more than a few hours due to illness was about 3 years ago, with a stomach thing. I'll get a cold or two a year, some of them knock me down and give me a fever, but never for more than a couple of hours, but most are quite mild and just sniffly. Agreed, 100%, and toss in Anxiety. While married, I was always sick. If it came to town, I got it. Post marriage, 3+ years now, I rarely get sick. And during my last relationship, because of my internal stress and anxiety, I was sick, a lot. And, I do believe genetics play a factor. My mom and dad are in their late 70s. Neither has ever been in a hospital. My brother has had maybe 5 colds his entire life, and he is 57 now. Link to post Share on other sites
Babolat Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Hi there! The real question here is why don't you bring this up with a doctor? It seems like a legitimate concern, and only tests for vitamin and other deficiencies will reveal the problem. If they can't find anything, then your next stop is a nutritionist. Your doctor can give you the name of a good local one. If you're getting enough sleep, don't have stress, aren't sick and blood work comes out okay, then it might just be something out of your control like - where you live, etc. When I lived in Brooklyn I got sick constantly. Now that I'm up in Albany I feel like I can breathe, and have had better luck with getting sick. I also was in Los Angeles, CA for awhile and the weather did WONDERS for my overall health and getting sick! Todays doctors treat the symptons, not the source, root cause. Not that I don't trust them, that's just how they are trained. Listen, look it up in their books, prescribe a drug. I am planning to start seeing a Functional Medicine dr; one who looks at me holistically. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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