Increasing immunity in oncology (cancer). Increasing immunity in oncological diseases Treatment for impaired immune system in oncological diseases

Chemotherapy is the introduction of special medications into the body that destroy the genome of malignant cells, cancer cells. “Chemistry” is an auxiliary measure to surgery and radiation therapy; thanks to these measures, a person’s life can be saved. But the drugs that are administered during chemotherapy are very toxic; they destroy not only cancer cells, but also other cells in the body. Completely suppress the human immune system. All organs, circulatory system and bone marrow are affected. As a result, oncologists, while defeating cancer, forget that it is necessary to quickly begin increasing immunity and strengthening all body systems.

What are the dangers of low immunity after cancer?

After chemotherapy is administered, the patient becomes defenseless to any infection. Any microbes that enter the body before the “chemistry” and get on the skin, intestines, or respiratory tract become incredibly dangerous. They can provoke the development of a disease that can be fatal, since the immune system is suppressed. Therefore, as soon as the cancer is stopped, it is necessary to prepare yourself to restore the immune system. Cancer is now defeated. So you can’t risk your life because of a minor infection, of course not. We need to recover and heal. The basis of treatment is as follows:

1. The restoration process of cells responsible for the production of antibodies. Leukocytes or white blood cells must be restored, since “chemistry” necessarily kills them.
2. The process of restoring vital organs and systems, it is imperative to raise and restore the liver, kidneys, and lungs. These organs are responsible for cleansing the body and must work well. These organs remove toxic substances from the body, and if they do not work at full capacity, the patient will develop poisoning, which can subsequently lead to death.
3. Restoration of intestinal functions. Toxins also accumulate in the intestines and can lead not only to the development of allergies and poisoning, but also to sepsis, which will cause death.

Boosting the immune system in oncology

So, how can you boost your immunity when you have cancer? Herbal medicines have shown themselves to be excellent in restoring immunity. Nature is a strong helper and folk remedies help strengthen the immune system after suffering a terrible illness.

In addition to taking herbal medicines, it is necessary to establish a diet, follow a diet and lead a correct, healthy lifestyle. The specifics are as follows:

1. It is necessary to increase the protection of the human body. Echinacea, Eleutherococcus, and Aralia will help with this. The herbal medicine “Saparal” has established itself as an excellent remedy for activating the body’s defenses and has been used for many decades.
2. Sweet clover flowers and chicory root are also useful as a decoction to increase the level of leukocytes in the blood. Euphorbia tincture is an excellent remedy for restoring leukocytes.
3. A decoction of immortelle, calendula and milk thistle will help restore the liver.
4. Buckthorn, fennel, and dill will help cope with constipation that occurs during this period.
5. Sabelnik and cloves will help with loose stools and diarrhea.
6. Drugs such as:

• "White coal";
• "Sorbex";
• "Enterosgel".

In addition to the above medications, it is good to adhere to a balanced diet and a special diet.

Any fried and fatty foods should be excluded from the diet. For meat, it is better to give preference to boiled rabbit, beef and chicken. Portions should not be voluminous. Alcoholic drinks must be avoided. Canned food, pickles and spicy foods should not be eaten.

In addition to dietary restrictions, you should try not to visit crowded places. If you need to visit a doctor, you should definitely use a gauze bandage.

You should try to protect yourself from overexertion, nervous worries and stress, dress according to the weather, and not get too cold, although walking is recommended, fresh air is recommended for everyone.

It must be remembered that immunity is weakened for the following reasons:

• frequent diets and unbalanced diet;
• poor quality, spoiled food;
• poor quality water;
• drinking small amounts of water;
• bad ecology;
• bad habits;
• stress;
• physical inactivity;
• congenital pathologies.

The following drugs increase immunity:

Candles to boost immunity

Doctors very often correct immune defenses by prescribing rectal suppositories. In this form, the following drugs are used today:

These medications are available for both children and adults. Suppositories for restoring the immune system have virtually no contraindications. The only exception is an allergy to the components of the drug. Suppositories have long been recognized as better drugs than, for example, tablets, since their absorption occurs in the intestines. They are completely absorbed, and the course of treatment can even last up to a year.

The basis of the drugs is the substance interferon, which strengthens the body and protects against harmful agents.

Interferon reacts to eliminate infection quickly, faster than other immune forces. Most candles also contain vitamins C and E, which are strong antioxidants. The use of interferon suppositories is welcomed by all doctors in the world. Treatment with suppositories not only improves immunity after cancer, but is also used to treat herpes, papillomavirus, and other diseases. Suppositories reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease and help in the treatment of pathologies. Cancer is a terrible disease, but today medicine has made a huge breakthrough in this area and treatment is carried out promptly, with positive results in most cases.

Oncology is not a death sentence, but the restoration of immunity is in the hands of a person who has suffered a terrible disease and won a victory over it. With patience and effort, you can recover in a fairly short time. Before using any drug, you should definitely consult your doctor.

• Folk remedies

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Boosted immunity = protection against cancer.

How to strengthen your immune system?

Encyclopedia

nutrition

Phyto-Pharmacy

ABC of health

A healthy immune system is the most reliable defense against cancer

This article will give you a brief understanding reasons for decreased immunity, promptly pay attention to signs of immunodeficiency and finally realize what we can do to strengthen the immune system.

The mechanisms of immune defense are so complex that some questions are not yet completely clear even to scientists. Simply put, immunity is a protective reaction of the body aimed at neutralizing, deactivating or compensating for any damaging factors, be it fungi, bacteria, viruses or radiation.

The well-coordinated functioning of the immune system is not only protection against common colds and flu, it is the body’s only reliable defense against cancer. Cancer is called "gene disease", "epidemic of our time", which spares neither children, nor people in their prime, nor the elderly. According to disappointing forecasts from CRUK (cancer research organization; UK), over the next 15 years, every second person on the planet will be diagnosed with cancer. The main reason, according to researchers, is that thanks to many modern factors, life expectancy has increased significantly. In the barrel of honey of the benefits of civilization there is a fly in the ointment - the likelihood of developing cancer with age increases significantly. Bowel, prostate and melanoma cancers are predicted to increase. But the chances of curing cancer in the next 15 years will also increase significantly, thanks to timely diagnosis and the hope of developing new effective drugs for the treatment of cancer.

It is reliably known that a clinically malignant tumor manifests itself only after the mechanisms of the immune response are disrupted: the protective mechanisms cease to adequately respond and destroy the cancer cells that form daily in our body. But the diagnosis of cancer today is no longer synonymous with death, and not only thanks to timely diagnosis and effective medications. Many people, albeit belatedly, but consciously turn to a healthy lifestyle - they become physically active, try to think positively and choose healthy foods, winning life away from illness.

Yes, and a correct lifestyle does not exclude the development of cancer, taking into account the multifactorial causes of development (genetic predisposition, characteristics of the hormonal system and immune reactions), but SIGNIFICANTLY reduces the risk of developing cancer. Some chemical carcinogens can also be formed inside the body itself during various metabolic reactions, so the possibility of tumor transformation of a cell cannot be theoretically excluded even if all possible carcinogens are eliminated from the environment. Therefore, among oncological risks, the greatest attention should be paid to the state of immunity, so that emerging cancer cells are destroyed by a healthy immune system, without having time to develop into a global tumor process.

The immune system not only protects the body from infections and its own tumor cells, but also participates in the restoration of damaged cells of various organs and systems of the body. A decrease in the body's resistance can serve as a prerequisite for the development of non-infectious diseases. If the immune system is supported in a timely manner, there is a high probability that the disease will stop progressing and recovery will occur. By supporting the body's immune forces, we can influence any disease indirectly, so EVERYONE needs to strengthen the immune system, and not just occasionally, but constantly.

If you are curious and don't feel intimidated by the terms, the table below provides a summary of how the immune system works:

Educational program on immunity. Basic Concepts

Immunity is divided into congenital (hereditary, specific) and acquired.

Innate immunity- immunity of certain species to pathogens that infect other species. For example, people are resistant to canine distemper, and animals under natural conditions do not suffer from measles, scarlet fever, or smallpox.

Term Pacquired immunity speaks for itself: it is acquired as a result of a previous illness. Acquired immunity (artificial) also occurs after vaccination. Acquired immunity is created as a result of the functioning of central ( thymus gland (thymus), bone marrow) and peripheral ( spleen, lymph nodes, lymphocyte clusters in different organs and tissues: the mucous membrane of the small intestine (Peyer's patches), tonsils, appendix) organs of the immune system. Lymphocytes- the most important cells responsible for the final implementation of immunological defense mechanisms.

In addition to the organs of the immune system, the effectiveness of acquired immunity is influenced by some cells, tissues and various mechanisms that provide nonspecific defense of the body. A number of mechanical, physicochemical, and biochemical mechanisms of nonspecific protection against infections can be distinguished:

Natural barriers from skin And mucous membranes(increased acidity of sweat and gastric juice serves as an obstacle to the penetration of microbes into the body)

Saliva, tears, blood, macrophages and neutrophils contain lysozyme, destroying bacterial membranes

- hyaluronic acid- the most important structural component of the intercellular matrix, inhibits the spread of microbes

- interferons- low molecular weight proteins that prevent the virus from infecting other cells and can even prevent the proliferation of bacteria; interferon is produced by leukocytes and dendritic cells, fibroblasts and T-lymphocytes. Interferons have a variety of activities - antiviral, antiproliferative, antitumor, radioprotective.

- phagocytosis- the most important factor of nonspecific cellular resistance; phagocytes capture and destroy microbes

- defensins- Arginine-rich peptides that destroy microorganisms

After activation by immune complexes platelets synthesize and secrete biologically active substances (lysozyme, histamine, β-lysines, prostaglandins)

When immunity decreases, the body does not react actively enough to infections and other foreign agents, but there is also the opposite condition - overreaction on the part of the immune system (hyperactivity). With an inadequate immune response, autoimmune diseases(rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, etc.) and various allergic reactions(allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, etc.). The immune system, in fact, becomes the enemy of its own body and destroys its own tissues. The causes of autoimmune diseases have not yet been fully studied, but it is believed that exposure to toxic organic substances, lead salts, and infections (measles viruses, hepatitis B, retroviruses, streptococci, staphylococci) may be of no small importance.

Causes decreased immunity

immune defense decreases in winter and spring

pregnancy (for the mother’s immune system, the fetus is foreign, because it has half of the paternal chromosomes; to prevent rejection from occurring, a natural mechanism is activated that suppresses the activity of the mother’s immune system and reduces immunological reactions)

old age (with age, the body’s immune system increasingly fails)

critical periods of the immune system during the active growth of children (newborn period, 3-6 months, 2 years, 4-6 years, adolescence)

genetic causes (primary or congenital immunodeficiencies); it is indicative of a family history of deaths at an early age due to infections or an identified immunodeficiency state

long-term stressful situations

sleep disorders, overwork, chronic fatigue

poor nutrition (especially if there is a deficiency squirrel And zinc; plus the body is forced to constantly get rid of toxins from “junk” food)

metabolic disorders, prolonged fasting

chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, enteropathy, sarcoidosis)

illiterate use of medications, especially antibiotics, hormonal agents, tranquilizers (sedatives reduce anxiety by “deceiving” the body, and thereby lead to an imbalance in the mechanisms of defense against stress, which, in turn, reduces immune defense)

any surgical interventions (including blood transfusions)

chemotherapy and radiation therapy

artificial suppression of immunity (immunosuppression; used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, organ and tissue transplantation)

radiation, radiation sickness

unfavorable environmental conditions, work in hazardous industries (xenobiotics create a constant load on the immune system, which leads to its depletion)

bad habits = conscious intoxication of the body (smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse)

insufficient physical activity

I especially want to emphasize that with long-term use, almost ANY medicine can cause a weakening of the immune system, so if you are constantly taking any medicine, you should take doubly care about strengthening the immune system.

Determine how seriously you should be concerned about the state of your immunity.

I want to warn you right away: even a doctor cannot judge the presence or absence of immunodeficiency without a laboratory blood test (immunogram)!

Signs decreased immunity :

Frequent colds (preschoolers - 9 or more times a year, schoolchildren once, adults - 3-4)

Transition of acute inflammatory diseases into chronic, frequent relapses, complications

Sinusitis more than twice a year

Pneumonia more than twice a year

More than two severe infectious processes in history (sepsis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, etc.)

Repeated severe purulent processes (boils, pyoderma)

Enlarged lymph nodes and spleen

Persistent candidiasis (thrush)

Frequent relapses of herpes (more than 4 times a year)

Chronic infectious diseases (chronic pyelonephritis, chronic cystitis, etc.)

Lack of effect from long-term antibiotic therapy

Infections caused by opportunistic microorganisms (Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Clostridium, Mycobacterium, Candida, etc.)

Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, herbalist Alexey Fedorovich Sinyakov in his book "Life without cancer" describes another hypothetical sign of decreased immunity:

“There is an assumption that a long-term decrease in body temperature (normal limits 36-36.9 ° C), the absence of inflammatory processes or their rapid relief with the help of antipyretics are prerequisites for the occurrence of cancer. In mild forms of acute respiratory diseases, influenza, etc. ", you should not rush to reduce the temperature by taking antipyretic drugs, but give the body the opportunity to overcome the disease on its own, because having defeated it, it strengthens its immune system."

Even if we consider Sinyakov’s postulate as controversial, take note: medications for fever do NOT cure, especially for children - antipyretics only relieve the fear of parents, while simultaneously striking a blow to the liver, kidneys and circulatory system. For a child, a temperature of up to 40 degrees is absolutely safe if the diagnosis of acute respiratory viral infection, acute respiratory infection or influenza is established by a DOCTOR. There are many dangerous infections accompanied by fever, but in this case your child will already be treated in the hospital - including antibiotics. Viral infections (ARVI, influenza) and bronchitis are NOT treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are used only for LIFE-threatening conditions (bacterial pneumonia, for example)! It is precisely because many parents now independently “prescribe” antibiotics to their children that viruses mutate. The more people take antibiotics, the faster these processes will occur. And, worst of all, if suddenly the use of antibiotics is really urgently needed, then they may be powerless against infection. This path leads to a dead end. Proper nutrition, walks in any weather or hardening and physical activity work wonders - your child will get sick much less often, try it!

Despite the many factors that weaken our body’s immune system, its normal functioning can be ensured at any age. How can you strengthen your immunity?

The famous Sears family of pediatricians claims that this is quite simple to do: just “feed” the immune system correctly! The conclusions were based on many years of observation of young patients: “correct” mothers, who did not give their children “junk” food, brought their children to appointments extremely rarely. And even if their children got sick, they recovered much faster than those who regularly consumed harmful foods. A balanced diet is one of the many ways to keep your immune system strong.

13 simple s ways to strengthen the immune system:

- get rid of bad habits- they weaken the activity of the immune system;

Protect yourself as much as possible from harmful influences And xenobiotic substances: industrial pollution, pesticides, household chemicals, minimize the use of medications; if you cannot eliminate any dangerous factor, take enterosorbents (for example, enterosgel or plant sorbents);

Optimal physical exercise- a proven way to strengthen a weakened immune system (any pleasant and feasible activity - morning exercises, jogging, fitness, dancing, swimming);

- daily walks in the fresh air they enrich the blood with oxygen, tone up, relieve emotional stress; Sun rays promote the production of anti-cancer agents in the skin vitamin D;

- hardening procedures help strengthen the body, stimulate blood circulation, increase the stability of the nervous system;

Courses general massage help improve immunity; acupressure- effective support of immunity during acute respiratory infections;

Preventive and therapeutic aromatherapy helps the body cope with infections, because many essential oils have pronounced antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties;

Use antioxidants And adaptogens of plant origin (Eleutherococcus, ginseng and etc.); consult a herbalist- these medicinal plants have a number of contraindications;

Try going to balanced diet without semi-finished products, antimutagenic diets(for example, did you know that parsley serves as an effective means of preventing certain types of cancer?); include foods that help strengthen the immune system in your diet - broccoli, carrot, pumpkin, zucchini, parsley, dill, celery, citrus, dairy products, salmon And turkey;

Accept vitamin and mineral complexes in winter-spring period: vitamin C will help support the immune system and speed up the recovery process from illness, although it is not a panacea;

Follow bowel regularity: the body needs to get rid of bacteria and toxins in a timely manner, otherwise your immune system will be busy with detox;

- avoid stress- the work of the immune system is closely related to the nervous system; As we already know, stress significantly weakens the immune system.

I foresee that some readers will be disappointed: almost all of these tips for strengthening the immune system are familiar to us from childhood.

It is important that you realize: there is no pill that will save you from all diseases, but by changing your lifestyle, you can significantly improve the quality of your life, even if you are seriously ill.

Please note: drugs to stimulate the immune system are used ONLY for the concomitant treatment of existing diseases, and NOT for their prevention. Even if you see the line in the drug instructions: "Used to prevent n-diseases", - immunostimulants for a healthy person (including herbal ones, for example, echinacea) Not needed! The pharmacist will offer you a wide range of over-the-counter drugs for immunity, but do not rush to use his help without consulting a doctor: immunostimulants can cause serious damage to the body if used incorrectly, especially in children.

So, do you want to fill your life with the joy of communication, interesting travels, devote yourself to what you love, be loved and give love, and not fight illnesses?? Or are you satisfied with life according to the ostrich principle - head in the sand, and there are no problems? Take care of your health now, and your healthy immune system will be the key to a long and fulfilling life.

1. “Pathological physiology and biochemistry” Ashmarin I.P., Bassalyk L.S., Zezerov E.G. and others. M.: Exam, 2005

2. "Propaedeutics of childhood diseases" ed. Yuryeva V.V., Khomicha M.M. - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2012

3. Sinyakov A.F. “Life without cancer” - M.: Eksmo, 2013

4. William, Martha, Robert, James and Peter Sears. "Child's health from Doctors Sears" - M.: Eksmo, 2012

If the immune system regains its strength, then even the most dangerous disease stops progressing and undergoes reverse development. By stimulating the immune system, we can influence the disease indirectly. Published on the web portal

Today it is reliably known that a clinically malignant tumor manifests itself after immune surveillance has failed. As a result, protective (immune) cells cease to eliminate tumor “degenerate” cells that are constantly formed in the body.

It is important that chemotherapy, radiation therapy, as well as surgical therapy deal a significant, insidious blow to the already “barely breathing” human immune system. Stimulating and increasing the effectiveness of the immune response is what treatment with medicinal herbs, bee products and other means that constitute the property of traditional medicine is mainly aimed at.

It should be noted, however, that scientific medicine has also intensively taken up the search for immunostimulating effects. Cancer vaccine development appears to be showing promising results. Thus, a researcher from Southern California, M. Mitchell, received positive results when testing the first specific vaccine against breast cancer in 13 women considered hopeless by doctors. Under the influence of vaccines, in 8 patients, the breast cancer tumor shriveled and resolved. An attempt to treat melanoma with a vaccine was less successful.

Among the factors that reduce immunological reactions and, therefore, contribute to the occurrence of cancer, one can name a passion for hormonal drugs and tranquilizers. They began to be used too often, which negatively affects the protective forces. Thus, synthetic sedatives are good at relieving tension, anxiety, drowning out worries, etc. However, they pollute the internal environment of a person (especially microdoses to overcome stressful conditions), since regular use of tranquilizers leads to the detraining of special defense mechanisms against stress.

There is also an assumption that a long-term decrease in body temperature (normal limits 36-36.9 ° C), the absence of inflammatory processes or their rapid relief with the help of antipyretic drugs are prerequisites for the occurrence of cancer. Apparently, in mild forms of acute respiratory diseases, influenza, etc., one should not rush to reduce the temperature by taking antipyretics, but give the body the opportunity to overcome the disease on its own, because, having defeated it, it strengthens its immune system.

The immune system not only protects the body from infectious and non-infectious foreign agents, but also participates in the regulation of the functional, proliferative (associated with cell reproduction) and reparative (associated with the restoration of biological objects from damage) activity of cells in different organs and systems of the body.

Thus, the human immune system is his main bodyguard. These are armed forces that never sleep, are always on duty and selflessly serve those who often abandon them to their fate.

What helps strengthen the immune system?

Antioxidant system

In increasing the body's resistance to harmful influences, a significant role is played primarily by its antioxidant system. It is one of the adaptive and protective systems of the human body. By participating in free radical oxidation reactions, antioxidants are a kind of buffer that prevents the transition of peroxidation processes from physiological to pathological, reducing their intensity.

The main role in this system is given to vitamins E, C, A, its provitamin - carotene, antioxidant enzymes and other agents. Provitamin A has an antioxidant effect (prevents intracellular fat oxidation). Thanks to this, it counteracts the development of aging processes, as well as cancer.

It is necessary that the body receives enough vitamins (especially C, A and E) and microelements, which, among other things, helps cleanse the internal environment (blood, lymph).

Vitamin C, supplied by plant products, mainly fresh, as well as essential oils and organic acids found in vegetables, fruits and plants, has a preventive effect.

I note that some foreign authors (for example, Ian Gowler and others) recommend that cancer patients take an average of 18-20 g of vitamin C per day, focusing on the individual dose of saturation. How to determine it? Quite simple. When it is exceeded, diarrhea (diarrhea) occurs; when it decreases, intestinal upset decreases or goes away, which indicates that the individual norm in ascorbic acid has been reached.

It should also be said that in Japan, a group of compounds characterized by antioxidant properties was isolated from peppers of the genus Piper, the activity of which was as high as that of synthetic antioxidants. Scientists have concluded that these compounds can be included in antimutagenic diets, and they are preferable to synthetic drugs of similar action, since the latter in most cases have undesirable side effects on the body. Parsley also has an antimutagenic effect.

Recently, it has been found that carotenoids (provitamin A), which are especially rich in yellow-green and red vegetables (carrots, red peppers, onions, etc.), have an antitumor effect. The carotenoids of these vegetables are resistant to heat treatment and almost do not lose their color.

Special scientific studies have established that in those areas where residents eat enough vegetables or fruits rich in carotene, there is a low incidence of cancer. For example, in the southern regions of Russia, where fresh vegetables, fruits and juices are consumed regularly in significant quantities, cancer is less common than in the middle and especially the northern zone.

In addition to carotenoids, anthocyanins are also a very common pigment with an antitumor effect (beets, red cabbage, blue eggplants, etc. are rich in them). In addition, anthocyanins have a bactericidal effect on putrefactive intestinal microflora, enhance the biological effect of vitamin C and have P-vitamin activity.

Adaptogens

Adaptogens are a group of substances, mainly of plant origin, that have a stimulating effect and increase the body's resistance to adverse environmental influences. They activate the functions of human organs and systems, increase mental and physical performance. Adaptogens have quite broad therapeutic and preventive properties. They expand the sites of metabolism, preventing disturbances in plastic and energy processes in tissues, maintain the constancy of the internal environment for a long time, and harmoniously mobilize the body’s defenses. All this is important for normal human life and health.

A completely different picture is observed when using doping stimulants (for example, amphetamine, ephedrine, cocaine, heroin, etc.). On the contrary, they lead to rapid depletion of the body's reserve resources. Stimulation by them cannot continue for a long time without harm to health. When exposed to doping, against the background of increased physical and mental performance, a decrease in the activity of the immune system may be observed. The effect of taking them appears quickly, but it is short-lived and non-physiological (as it leads to exhaustion).

Adaptogens, being anabolic steroids, antioxidants and energy-producing compounds, protect the human body from damaging influences. Their effect is similar to the action of protective substances formed in the body itself. Adaptogens increase the stability of cell membranes. Penetrating into the cell, they activate the activity of various systems and cause an adaptive restructuring of metabolism. As a result, the body begins to function in an economical mode, using less energy. In addition, its protective systems, such as antioxidant, are mobilized. Thanks to such a restructuring, the body acquires the ability to resist the development of various pathological conditions. Among other things, adaptogens stimulate the synthesis of a number of endogenous biostimulants that activate the immune system (interferon, interleukin, etc.)

Thanks to this, the body's resistance to a number of infections increases.

Relict forms of living organisms that survived global cataclysms have learned to produce biologically active substances with adaptogenic effects. These are, for example, ginseng, eleutherococcus, zamaniha, aralia, Rhodiola rosea and other plants, as well as bees, snakes, etc. Thanks to this ability, they are sufficiently resistant to extreme influences.

Biologically active substances that have a protective, adaptogenic effect are synthesized in the human body itself. Thus, their formation is activated during intense and exhausting physical activity, during prolonged fasting, hardening procedures, bloodletting with significant blood loss, etc.

Modern man is increasingly exposed to exogenous factors (polluted air, water, increased radiation, etc.), which reduce the body's defenses, already weakened due to insufficient physical activity, poor nutrition, abuse of alcohol, tobacco, medications, and the like. Our body is not always able to cope with overloads and adapt to new living conditions, which leads to the emergence of a variety of pathological conditions.

Thus, data from the World Health Organization indicate that 80% of all diseases are caused by a tense environmental situation. The list of the most common ailments of our century includes cardiovascular, neuropsychic, allergic and oncological diseases. All these are so-called diseases of civilization. Their number can only be reduced through environmental protection measures and the use of adaptogenic agents that increase the body’s resistance.

Adaptogens include: ginseng, eleutherococcus, aralia, Schisandra chinensis, Rhodiola rosea, zamaniha, sterculia, leuzea, pollen, royal jelly, pantocrine and others.

According to the latest data, pronounced adaptogenic properties have been identified in plantain juice (in its effectiveness it is not inferior to the famous eleutherococcus extract). Adaptogenic effects are also characteristic of aloe juice and birch buds. Scientists suggest that many plants exhibit adaptogenic activity to one degree or another. Thus, there are plants whose adaptogenic properties have not yet been studied and are not currently used, although for many centuries they have been used in Eastern medicine to increase the body's defenses. These are, for example, blood-red hawthorn, elecampane and others.

Previously, it was believed that adaptogens have no effect in the absence of any significant changes in the body. But later it was found that the protective effects, on the contrary, are especially pronounced when used prophylactically.

A very important advantage of adaptogens is the lack of toxicity.

So, we can say that adaptogens are harmless drugs that increase performance and cause physical stimulation of the body’s protective functions, increasing its nonspecific resistance.

Recent studies indicate that adaptogens can and should play an important role in the fight against the main non-infectious human diseases - cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

It's time to talk about the role of adaptogens in the prevention of cancer. It is well known that surgical, radiation and cytostatic treatments used today are not effective enough. New cytostatic drugs are constantly being created, but this does not bring anything fundamentally new to the treatment of cancer patients.

Any oncologist will tell you that disease is easier to prevent than to treat. But how to achieve this?

Certain preventive measures are possible at various stages of development and treatment of tumor disease. However, they are most appropriate primarily in cases where the mass of the tumor is relatively small and the body’s defenses can prevent its development. Even after removal of the cancer focus, it is possible to prevent cancer through medicinal effects on metabolism. Adaptogenic agents can be of great help with this.

Let me note that the main requirements for preventive measures are as follows: harmlessness, the ability to optimize homeostasis in the body and the breadth of therapeutic effects. Adaptogens fully meet these requirements.

Modern studies conducted on animals also support their use. Thus, it was found that under the influence of adaptogens, malignant changes occur later and develop more slowly. Adaptogens significantly increase the body's antitumor resistance and significantly inhibit the metastasis of malignant neoplasms.

In short, adaptogens may play a very important role in the treatment and prevention of tumors.

One of the areas of prevention is the treatment of precancerous diseases. The most common of them are gastric ulcer and chronic gastritis (in 14.9% of cases it turns into cancer, and after 5-11 years, 9% of ulcer patients have stomach cancer). Ulcerative colitis is also very dangerous. In more than 65% of cases it leads to colorectal cancer.

Can adaptogens help at this stage of prevention? Yes they can. They have an antiulcer effect and stimulate healing.

Previously, oncologists believed that if a tumor metastasizes, then, therefore, the last stage of cancer has arrived. This was a death sentence for the patient. Now even in the stage of metastasis, drug treatment is carried out. Moreover, the most promising drugs for this purpose are adaptogens, because they prevent the spread of tumor disease.

After stressful effects (including surgery), in some cases there is an increase in tumor growth and metastasis. In such cases, adaptogens can also help, since they have a pronounced anti-stress effect.

The main drugs used in the treatment of cancer patients are cytostatics. However, in the vast majority of cases they cause only temporary inhibition of the development of the tumor process, without leading to a radical cure. In combination with adaptogens, the therapeutic effect of cytostatics increases significantly, since adaptogens weaken the toxic effect of these medications and enhance their antitumor effect.

I note that the use of adaptogens gives the best results in the case of a small mass of tumor formations, as well as after removal of their main focus or intensive chemotherapy.

It must be said that adaptogens have a pronounced anti-sclerotic effect, reduce the incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, influenza and many other diseases, and therefore they are used for the treatment and prevention of not only neoplasms, but also cardiovascular diseases. Adaptogens help normalize metabolic processes in the body, increase its resistance to stress, and strengthen the function of the immune system. All this helps prevent a number of diseases.

So, by using adaptogens to treat and prevent cancer, we simultaneously help the body fight many diseases.

The human immune system functions by influencing foreign antibodies that enter the body. During periods of weakened protection of the internal environment, resistance to pathogenic microorganisms is reduced, which significantly increases the risk of developing serious diseases.

Among such diseases are oncological ones, during the development of which the functioning of internal organs and human immunity is disrupted. Therefore, during the period of oncology, it is important to pay special attention to ways to increase immunity.

Cough is a nonspecific protective reaction of the body. Its main function is to clear the airways of mucus, dust or foreign objects.

Greetings, dear readers and guests of Alexey Shevchenko’s blog “Healthy Lifestyle”. Today we will again talk about immunity.

This aspect is of great importance in the fight against cancer. Cancer is known to be one of the leading causes of death in our time, and every year millions of people around the world are faced with this terrible disease.

Doctors never stop searching for more and more effective treatment methods, and increasing immunity in oncology is one of the most promising areas.

Immunity and oncology

The development of cancer is always associated with a severe disruption of the immune system. Modern research shows that cancer cells regularly appear in everyone, even in a completely healthy body.

This happens under the influence of unfavorable factors or due to pure chance. A properly functioning immune system immediately notices a cell with a “broken” genetic code and destroys it.

All this happens absolutely naturally, and the person does not feel the slightest discomfort.

But if for some reason the immune system does not recognize the cancer cell in time, then the uncontrolled growth of the malignant tumor begins.

These processes, as well as the possibilities of cancer treatment, are studied by special branches of medicine: oncoimmunology and oncoimmunotherapy.

With immunotherapy, you can either induce an immune response or, conversely, suppress it, if necessary.

In cancer immunotherapy, scientists try to stimulate the immune system and force it to recognize and kill the tumor. Sometimes immunotherapy methods are combined with already traditional means, and more effective treatment is obtained.

Immunity restoration after treatment

Most immunotherapy methods today are at the stage of innovative development and are not widely available. Tested methods of treating malignant neoplasms in many cases can not only significantly prolong the patient’s life and improve its quality, but even completely defeat the disease. But, unfortunately, this is an aggressive treatment that has multiple side effects.

During surgical treatment, doctors often have to remove not only the tumor itself, but also large amounts of adjacent tissue affected by the disease process. In addition, to treat the tumor, in any case, a course of chemotherapy or radiation therapy is prescribed. These methods have severe side effects, and patients require a long recovery period after treatment is completed.

The immune system has many enemies

Modern medicine has a huge number of effective drugs. But, unfortunately, this powerful arsenal is often used too thoughtlessly, and as a result, all body systems suffer, including the immune system.

Hormonal drugs for weight loss and to prolong youth, all kinds of calming pills, drugs for depression, strong antibiotics - all this is absorbed by people in huge quantities.

In many cases, oncology leads to death. Modern medicine, in order to reduce the mortality rate in cancer patients, is constantly looking for new ways to defeat the disease. Chemotherapy and surgery are common. But besides this, doctors recommend immunotherapy to patients. Its effect on the body is much safer for humans and causes fewer complications.

What is immunotherapy for oncology

Oncological diseases occupy second place in the list of the most common diseases of this century. Many perceive such a terrible diagnosis painfully, although they know that the overwhelming majority of cases were successful. Despite the success of treatment, scientists are constantly developing and applying new methods of therapy that will be safer and more effective.

In addition to universal treatment methods, such as surgery, chemical therapy, radiation treatment, while using a pill, there are other methods of getting rid of cancer formations. One of these methods is called "immunotherapy." This method should justify the safety expectations of the treatment used, rather than conventional methods.

How does immunotherapy interact with oncology?

In order to understand what immunotherapy is, you should define the concept of what is called immunity.

Immunity is the body’s ability to protect itself from the effects of harmful agents that are not characteristic of the body. Harmful agents are bacteria, cancer cells, and viral pathogens.

That is, when oncology forms in the body, this indicates a violation of the body’s immune system as a whole. Immunotherapy is designed to restore the body's immune functions and is also aimed at increasing the body's protective functions after radiation therapy.

All of the above indicates that immunotherapy methods in the field of oncological diseases are intended to stimulate the body’s protective properties and combat cancer formations.

Immunotherapy treatment methods and their effectiveness

First of all, the vaccination procedure, which is intended to prevent the development of the disease and combat an existing disease, can be considered as a measure of immunological therapy. For preventive purposes, the most common is vaccination of cancer cells in the cervix, which follows as a result of the appearance and development of the papilloma virus in the human body.

To defeat cancer and increase the body's defenses, vaccination is used, created using the basis of malignant tumors. Here, cancer cells are obtained from the body, so that they can later be examined in the laboratory, and after dividing has stopped, they are introduced back into the body.

The immune system will definitely respond to the appearance of new cells, activating the function of fighting these cells, and, consequently, cancer.

Another method of fighting cancer is the use of special proteins - cytokines. After all, the activity of the immune system is a complex process, where each cell is designed to perform a specific function.

If one of the cells is damaged, this leads to a malfunction of the entire immune system. It is the immune system drugs based on cytokines that facilitate the transfer of data from one cell to another.

Drugs based on this protein have been used for a long time, which makes the fight against cancer quite effective.

In addition to the methods listed, you should know which drugs are used for cancer patients to stimulate the body's protective functions. The body must fight cancer and also remove toxins that accumulate in the body during the period of therapy.

Today, a diagnosis of cancer has ceased to be perceived as a death sentence. Medicine has found and uses several productive methods of treating the disease. Chemotherapy and radiation kill abnormal cells. During surgery, it is often necessary to remove both the tumor itself and nearby tissue. This weakens the person who finds it difficult to regain health after treatment.

After chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, all organs suffer - the liver, lungs, stomach, kidneys, but they must work hard to successfully remove substances harmful to it from the body. This is why it is so important to boost the immunity of any cancer patient.

Interaction of immunotherapy with oncology

To understand how resistance occurs, we need to understand some of the nuances of immune function. The fact is that our immune system works as follows.

It detects foreign elements, such as microbes, viruses, cancer cells and begins to kill them. If, under the influence of potent drugs, toxic substances or other factors, the protective function does not work, then the body stops fighting the disease.

Cancer is easier to treat with high immunity. However, in a person weakened by cancer, natural defenses do not always work well. For example, fibroids often occur with severe uterine bleeding. So, a cancer patient is weakening and the system requires support, which can be provided if resistance is increased. This is done in several ways.

1. Vaccination.

The essence and objectives of immunotherapy

We all know that human immunity is a kind of defense of the body from foreign cells. These include viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, etc.

If oncology is detected in a person’s body, this means that his immune system cannot independently fight foreign cells. In such a situation, it is necessary to strengthen the body’s defenses using the method of immunotherapy for these purposes.

In other words, the main goal of this therapeutic method is to stimulate the immune system to produce special cells that will fight cancer. Let us consider in detail the types and methods of immunotherapy.

Vaccination

Traditional recipes for boosting immunity

In combination with traditional oncology therapy, many patients use traditional methods of immunotherapy. These include vitamin therapy, herbal and aerotherapy, and diet. Let us consider these methods of strengthening immunity in oncology in detail.

A cancer patient who has undergone chemotherapy treatments loses the ability to resist infections. Although it would seem that poisonous drugs in his body should also kill microbes. But a person remains defenseless against the surrounding world of bacteria, because the immune system is not able to put up the necessary blockade. Let's look at the most effective ways to boost immunity after chemotherapy.

While chemotherapy kills cancer cells, chemotherapy also harms healthy organs. As a result, there is a failure in all systems, and a person cannot recover for a long time after the procedures:

• The blood formula changes dramatically, which causes a decrease in immunity after chemotherapy;
• chemical preparations contain poisons that poison all organs;
• destroying malignant tumors, chemotherapy disrupts the structure of the bone marrow, the mucous membrane of organs and the ability of tissues to regenerate;
• failure of all internal organs leads to a decrease in immunity;
• under the influence of chemicals, polyneuropathy develops, and without a normal nervous system, the immune system will not function.

What are the dangers of decreased immunity?

Every second a person is exposed to many bacteria, microbes, and viruses. And if it weren’t for the immune system, these microorganisms would quickly destroy the flesh, working simultaneously from the inside and outside. Immunity is the force that gives healthy energy for a full life.

It is necessary to produce a number of hormones and enzymes, which are the basis of immunity. After oncology treatment, this does not happen, because the organs responsible for their productivity are not able to cope with their functions. And in addition to cancer, other serious diseases begin to develop.

• The liver is the most damaged by chemotherapy, so hepatitis often accompanies cancer.
• The gastric mucosa is also destroyed, which causes not only gastritis, but also the formation of ulcers.
• Poisons lead to nephrotoxicity, i.e. serious kidney damage.
• The venous walls become inflamed and modified. This affects the blood circulation process and makes injection procedures more difficult for the patient.
• A decrease in the number of blood elements favors the penetration of infections, which very quickly affect the lymph nodes.
• Even the follicles are not able to support the growth of the strands, and they completely fall out.

The body is exhausted, patients become weaker, and at the same time they experience not only fatigue, but also fall into depressive states. This is why restoration of immunity after chemotherapy is so important.

Immunity boosters

To cope with the consequences of toxic effects and strengthen the immune system, patients are also prescribed a course of antibiotics after the procedure. This allows you to at least somehow support the immune system and protect a weakened body. In addition, it is necessary to take other measures during oncology treatment to increase protective properties.

How to restore immunity after chemotherapy:

1. Immunal and echinacea tincture help well;
2. vitaminized antioxidants are needed (bioflavonoids, beta-carotene, B6, ascorbic acid, tocopherol);
3. Enhanced nutrition is important, providing the body with natural vitamins (berries, fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs, cereals, legumes, unrefined oils, etc.);
4. the necessary microelements also enter the body with food. Selenium is especially important, normalizing the number of lymphocytes in the blood, stimulating the production of antibodies and interferon. This microelement is found in offal, fish, grains, mushrooms, sea salt, onions, garlic;
5. immunity is also boosted by folk remedies, among which chamomile teas can be distinguished.

No matter how weakened the body is, when deciding how to boost immunity after chemotherapy, physical activity should not be ignored. At least light short-term exercise should be performed daily. It’s good to combine them with walks in the fresh air. For their part, doctors will prescribe various physiotherapy procedures, therapeutic exercises and sanatorium-resort treatment to strengthen the immune system.

This article will give you a brief understanding reasons for decreased immunity , promptly pay attention to signs of immunodeficiency and finally realize what we can do to strengthen the immune system .

The mechanisms of immune defense are so complex that some questions are not yet completely clear even to scientists. Simply put, immunity is a protective reaction of the body aimed at neutralizing, deactivating or compensating for any damaging factors, be it fungi, bacteria, viruses or radiation.

The well-coordinated functioning of the immune system is not only protection against common colds and flu, it is the body’s only reliable defense against cancer. Cancer is called "gene disease", "epidemic of our time", which spares neither children, nor people in their prime, nor the elderly... According to disappointing forecasts CRUK(cancer research organization; UK), within the next 15 years every second person on the planet will be diagnosed with cancer. The main reason, according to researchers, is that thanks to many modern factors, life expectancy has increased significantly. In the barrel of honey of the benefits of civilization there is a fly in the ointment - the likelihood of developing cancer with age increases significantly. Bowel, prostate and melanoma cancers are predicted to increase. But the chances of curing cancer in the next 15 years will also increase significantly, thanks to timely diagnosis and the hope of developing new effective drugs for the treatment of cancer.

It is reliably known that a clinically malignant tumor manifests itself only after the mechanisms of the immune response are disrupted: the protective mechanisms cease to adequately respond and destroy the cancer cells that form daily in our body. But the diagnosis of cancer today is no longer synonymous with death, and not only thanks to timely diagnosis and effective medications. Many people, albeit belatedly, but consciously turn to a healthy lifestyle - they become physically active, try to think positively and choose healthy foods, winning life away from illness...

Yes, and a correct lifestyle does not exclude the development of cancer, taking into account the multifactorial causes of development (genetic predisposition, characteristics of the hormonal system and immune reactions), but SIGNIFICANTLY reduces the risk of developing cancer. Some chemical carcinogens can also be formed inside the body itself during various metabolic reactions, so the possibility of tumor transformation of a cell cannot be theoretically excluded even if all possible carcinogens are eliminated from the environment. Therefore, among oncological risks, the greatest attention should be paid to the state of immunity, so that emerging cancer cells are destroyed by a healthy immune system, without having time to develop into a global tumor process.

The immune system not only protects the body from infections and its own tumor cells, but also participates in the restoration of damaged cells of various organs and systems of the body. A decrease in the body's resistance can serve as a prerequisite for the development of non-infectious diseases. If the immune system is supported in a timely manner, there is a high probability that the disease will stop progressing and recovery will occur. By supporting the body's immune forces, we can influence any disease indirectly, so EVERYONE needs to strengthen the immune system, and not just occasionally, but constantly.

If you are curious and don't feel intimidated by the terms, the table below provides a summary of how the immune system works: