Every winter, do you easily feel tired, weakened immunity, and catch a cold or cough if you are not careful? Especially this winter, when the flu was raging, many people were repeatedly "hit" in this wave of virus attacks.
However, you know what? Every time we are infected, the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract will suffer silently.
If our body is a castle, then the mucous membranes are the key line of defense, guarding our health. Today, let's talk about how to take care of this line of defense and defend our immunity!
The "mucous membranes" are our body's immune defenses
Mucous membranes are a layer of film covering the surface of organs in the human body, such as the mouth, nasal cavity, lungs, etc. They act like the "guards" of the human body, playing an important role in protecting organs and preventing the invasion of bacteria and viruses.
So, how does this mucosa work? It not only secretes mucus to capture and trap pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, but also excretes these pathogens from the body through the oscillation of cilia on the surface.
At the same time, the submucosa is rich in blood vessels and lymphoid tissues, which are able to quickly mobilize immune cells to attack invading pathogens. Build the first strong immune defense line for our body.
The "mucosal guards" are most afraid of these four injuries
However, this seemingly indestructible mucous membrane also has its weaknesses. So what causes them to be damaged? We can divide it into the following four main aspects:
1. Infectious factors
Various bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms are common causes of mucosal damage.
When these pathogens invade our bodies, mucous membranes bear the brunt. Especially in winter, influenza viruses, pneumococci and other pathogens are active, which can easily cause damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. In addition, some sexually transmitted diseases can cause damage to the mucous membranes of the genital tract.
2. Chemical stimulation
In life, we can't avoid exposure to various chemicals. For example, when the air quality is poor, PM25. Harmful gases and particles such as sulfur dioxide can irritate the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract; Kitchen fumes and decoration pollution (such as formaldehyde) can also cause damage to mucous membranes.
In addition, chemicals in some occupational environments, such as industrial exhaust gases, pesticides, etc., can also cause mucosal damage.
3. Traumatic factors
Trauma is another cause of mucosal damage.
For example, accidentally hitting an organ during exercise, or eating food that is too coarse, can damage the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. In addition, some bad lifestyle habits, such as brushing your teeth too hard and biting your lip, can also cause damage to the oral mucosa.
4. Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, etc., cause the body's immune system to mistakenly attack its own tissues, including mucous membranes. The mucosal damage caused by this type of disease is more severe and more difficult.
How do we defend our health?
When the mucous membranes are damaged, pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi can more easily invade the body and cause various infections.
For example, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is damaged, which may cause respiratory infections such as colds, coughs, and bronchitis; Injury to the mucosa of the digestive tract, which may lead to gastritis, gastric ulcers and other diseases; For women, because of the particularity of the physiological structure, it is more likely to cause damage to the mucosa of the genital tract, resulting in **inflammation, cervicitis and other **diseases.
In order to deal with these hazards, we can take targeted measures to protect each mucous membrane:
For respiratory mucosa, we can keep indoor air moist, wear masks, and reduce direct contact with cold air and pollutants.
For the mucosa of the digestive tract, we should pay attention to dietary hygiene, avoid excessively greasy and irritating foods, and maintain good eating habits.
For the mucous membranes of the urinary tract, drinking plenty of water and urinating frequently can help flush out bacteria and keep the urinary system clean.
For the mucous membranes of the genital tract, maintaining personal hygiene, using suitable hygiene products, and conducting regular examinations are all important protective measures.
In short, the mucous membrane is an important part of the body's immune defense, and protecting the mucosa is to protect our health. In this winter, let's start from little by little, take care of mucous membranes, enhance immunity, and keep diseases away from us!