What is “Immune Storm”?

 

And How Does it Affect The Body?

 

What is “Immune Storm”?

What exactly is it? And how does it affect our body?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been hearing a lot about the immune system. But obviously, COVID-19 isn’t the only condition that affects our immune system. As it is quite a complex discussion, I will try to make it as simple as possible and yet interesting enough to keep you in the discussion!

It is also known as “Cytokine Storm”. “Cytokines” are small protein molecules that signal the immune system to activate the white blood cells such as Macrophages (literally eat up the virus, bacteria, and other foreign bodies), mast cells, natural killer cells, B cells, T cells. Here is a brief run-down review of the function of our immune system. Its functions involve fighting disease-causing antigens/pathogens like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi as well as recognizing, neutralizing harmful substances such as chemicals, environmental pollutants, and cancer cells, etc. As these antigens enter the body, the messenger, cytokines would be triggered to signal the defense mechanism to be activated.

 

What Causes it?

As the immune response explained above sets in, one would have certain mild bodily symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, joint/body aches, and headaches, etc. However, there could be overreactive physiological responses that overwhelm the immune reactions and cause rather severe versions of symptoms above and other symptoms such as shortness of breath, low blood pressure, hypoxia (low oxygen), seizures, tremor, and neurological symptoms (confusion and hallucination), and even deaths. Some people may be predisposed to this due to their genetic make-ups that lack in fighting certain antigens/pathogens and clearing the inflammation that comes with the process. In some case, one may lose the ability to cope with it by being chronically exposed to certain triggers such as certain foods (usually processed and/or unhealthy chemical/preservative/additive containing ones), environmental toxins/xenobiotics, medications, infections that triggers repetitive unhealthy immune reactions and alter one’s immune responses that lead to erratic immune responses or the initiation of certain autoimmune processes (as the definitive causes of autoimmune conditions are yet unknown).

 

What Kind of Conditions/Health Problems Does it Cause?

Cytokine Strom can cause ranges of different conditions from life-threatening in some cases, to chronic autoimmune conditions that may trigger the immune system to start attacking one’s healthy tissues that may lead to chronic autoimmune disorders listed below;

• Pneumonitis
• Cardiomyopathy
• Acute liver failure/injury
• Delirium
• Lymphadenopathy
• Renal failure
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Rheumatoid arthritis/Ankylosing spondylitis
• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Psoriasis
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (Bell’s Palsy)
• Chronic Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

 

What Kind of Treatments Are Available? 

So, what can be done to control this manic immune storm? If this turns into a life-threatening situation, conventionally, the patients are put on ICU for constant monitoring of the vital signs along with anti-inflammatory medications including aspirin, corticosteroids, and even statin (we will discuss this in the future!), ventilator. respirator, and hemodialysis in some cases.

If this involves occasional chronic non-life-threatening autoimmune diseases, one should look into the potential triggers such as food sensitivities, chemical/environmental/heavy metal sensitivities and toxicities, and hidden allergies and sensitivities to avoid the trigger. That way, one can avoid “The Storm” that can bring these waves of inflammation that overwhelm the system and may trigger other cascades of immune responses.

Here are some lists of lifestyle recommendation to avoid/minimize it;

Foods recommended

• plenty of vegetables and fruits for antioxidants
• Healthy fats – olive oil, essential fatty acids (EPA-DHA, omega-3 fish oil, flaxseed, sesame oil)
• Herbs/spices – garlic, ginger, basil, cilantro, rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, capsaicin…)
• Green tea, herbal tea

Lifestyle 

• Avoid processed foods
• Avoid food sensitivity/allergy trigger (Know what food groups your body may be sensitive to as they can be elusive…)
• Manage your stress
• Get enough sleep
• Do not smoke
• Do not drink excessively

Nutrients/Supplements

• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Quercetin
• Curcumin
• Resveratrol
• Chromium

Tests/Supplements Available Related to Discussion Above

• ELISA/ACT (Food Sensitivities, Chemical/Heavy Metal Test)
• Vitamin D
• Zinc Picolinate
• Quercenase
• ResveraCel
• Pic-Min

As we are re-opening and coming out of this COVID-19 crisis, hopefully, we have one less worry on our list sooner than later. But the battle from the existing problems and potential future problems to keep us healthy is far from over. Hope this blog helped and shed a little light to remind you to reflect.

Thank you for reading! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The content in this blog should not be used as a substitute for the professional advice and/or recommendation of qualified healthcare practitioners or licensed physicians. The content presented in this blog is intended for information purposes only. Consult your doctor or healthcare practitioners for your current conditions.