Dr. Magdy Badran explains relationship of depression with immunity

The member of the Egyptian Society of Allergy and Immunology, Dr. Magdy Badran, revealed the relationship of depression to immunity on the occasion of World Health Day.

Badran added that there is strong scientific evidence that depression involves changes in multiple aspects of immunity, and there is often an immune defect in most of the currently afflicting human diseases, including depression.

First, the immune system engages deeply in all physical diseases such as diabetes, arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer
Second: Symptoms and signs of physical diseases are in fact the result of immune system activities.

For example, fever is not caused directly by infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi, but rather by a reaction from the immune system itself.

Dr. Badran said that more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression

"Depression is a common mental disorder, mood disorder, loss of interest in life, reduced immunity, female flirting, suicide, and the leading cause of disability worldwide," he added.

"A major common factor in the overall global burden of the disease is that more women are affected by depression than men," he stated.

Badran indicated that there are genetic causes for depression, in addition to the role of the immune system, psychological stress, pollution, addiction, lack of social interaction, isolation and absence of friends.

He added that tension causes confusion, anxiety, lack of feeling of security, depression, physical and psychological disorders, optimism, and tranquility, pointing out that tension among Americans today is ten times that of their grandparents.

He pointed out that 80% of human diseases are related to stress, adding that tension increases the chemistry of anger within our bodies, and includes the chemistry of anger: cortisol, adrenaline and light adrenaline.

"Tension increases the incidence of asthma, and symptoms of depression are common in asthma patients, causing stress and emotional depression respiratory crises and increase the severity of frequent attacks suffered by children with chest allergies, and 16% of adolescents with bronchial allergies suffer from tension or depression, compared to 9% in normal adolescents," Badran stated.

"Optimism fosters hope, deepens self-confidence and stimulates motivation to work," he added.

The doctor is advised to pay attention to immunity, to sleep early and in the dark and without noise and for 8 hours a day, and relax, and exercise regularly on a daily basis, and not to smoke, to take drugs and alcohol, and reduced caffeine, to break the routine, and enjoy the rest, holidays, trips, travel, and volunteer work.