According to expert Dmitry Karpenko, cold and damp weather causes blood vessels in the nasal mucosa to constrict, weakening its barrier function and facilitating the entry of viruses into the body. Furthermore, in the fall, people begin to spend more time indoors, interacting more closely with one another. This contributes to an increased concentration of pathogens in the air and, consequently, increases the risk of infection.
Returning from vacation and school to work and school also creates stress for the body. There is an active exchange of microflora between people, and the psychological stress associated with the start of the work season further weakens the immune system.
The specialist cites a reduction in daylight hours as an unobvious cause of weakened immunity. This factor is especially relevant for residents of large cities. A lack of sunlight leads to a deficiency of vitamin D, essential for the normal functioning of the immune system. It also disrupts circadian rhythms, increasing melatonin production, causing drowsiness, apathy, and reduced resistance.
Karpenko also noted that changes in diet and poor environmental conditions negatively impact immunity. In the fall, fresh fruits and vegetables become less common in the diet, replaced by carbohydrate-rich foods low in vitamins and fiber. Polluted air, in turn, increases the toxic load, forcing the immune system to work harder, reports Yuzhny Federalny.
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