Who's afraid of the Bogeyman?

 

 

But, as we all know from our childhood days, the “duvet option” never really works. True, it may feel more comforting to be nicely tucked up in bed, but it doesn’t stop our heads from going into overdrive about what may be lurking “out there”... The Bogeyman hiding just out of sight. 

 

So, this week, it’s time to take a deep breath – or two (!) – and see whether all the hype and hysteria is justified. Or, as so often is the case, is it simply a case of “smoke and mirrors” which vanish as soon as we start to look at them… 

 

And the place to start is with the bugs themselves or, if you want to be more scientific, pathogens. 

 

All pathogens – and by that we mean bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms that can cause disease – are continually changing and mutating into new strains. It’s a simple strategy that’s served them well for millennia and keeps them one step ahead of their – unlucky – host’s Immune System. It gives them maximum time to exploit their host’s body and resources before its Immune System catches up with them and destroys them. It’s no different to the viruses that plague all the technology we love so much and increasingly rely on… 

 

Another way of putting it is that it’s like coming home to find that squatters have moved into your house. If you haven’t had to deal with this scenario before, it’s going to take time to get your act together and take the necessary action to evict them. But, if it happens again, you’ll know exactly what to do and deal with them much more quickly and effectively. 

 

And that’s exactly how it is with our Immune System. Each time a different pathogen is encountered it “learns” how to deal with it. This means that the next time it comes into contact with it – whether exactly the same strain or a similar one – it’s then dealt with much more efficiently. 

 

In the process it also acts as a workout for the Immune System as a whole, so it then functions much more efficiently overall. Just think of the old adage “use it or lose it” and you’ll get the idea. The more you practise doing something, the better you get at it and that applies to every aspect of life… 

 

Continuing with the squatters analogy, what if the squatters used different tactics the next time? Say changing the locks or barricading themselves in. Well, you’d still know what to do but would need a bit more time to take additional action to deal with these new tactics. And it’s exactly the same process when a new strain appears. The Immune System already has general experience of it but, as a slightly different approach is needed, things may take a little longer or require slightly more effort. 

 

It’s easy to see this in practice when small children start going to nursery. To start with they seem to pick up every bug doing the rounds – nurseries are called “Snot Factories” for good reason (!) – but, after a while, this stops. And the reason for this is quite simple. Their Immune System has “learnt” how to deal with these bugs and grown stronger as a result. It then deals much more efficiently with those it comes into contact with. A Cold that used to last a week or more, is dealt with in only a few days. While a “new” bug – one that it hasn’t come in contact with before – may take a little longer, this is still dealt with a little more efficiently each time. 

 

By a cruel twist of fate, another factor has entered the equation in recent years. Not only do pathogens change in response to the Immune System but also to the medications used by Doctors to try and prevent or treat them. And it doesn’t matter whether this is the humble aspirin or the latest prescription only medication. Over time medications become less effective – or require higher doses to achieve a similar effect – as the pathogen mutates into new strains to minimise its impact. This is one of the many reasons why antibiotics are no longer as effective as they once were and new medications are continually being developed, in an attempt to keep one step ahead of the pathogens. 

 

While it may not sell many newspapers (!) the reality is that there’s no Bogeyman waiting to pounce on those unfortunate enough to cross its path. There’s no guarantee you’re going to succumb to whatever bug is “doing the rounds.” 

 

And, if you stop to think about it for a moment, the Bogeyman story just doesn’t add up. Think how many times you’ve been at work – or on a bus / train / plane – surrounded by people snuffling and sneezing without succumbing to whatever they had. 

 

So why is this? 

 

Well, it’s not so much about the bug itself, it’s all about your particular susceptibility. If you’re susceptible to it you may succumb. It’s still not guaranteed though. Nor whether you’ll get the “full” version or a milder one. 

 

And, if you’re not susceptible to it, then you won’t. And that is guaranteed. 

 

Susceptibility is all about each of us as an individual. About whether we are “likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing” as the dictionary puts it. In other words it’s largely under our control, all about how we look after ourselves and the lifestyle choices we make each day. 

 

And, yes, we know you may well be tired of hearing us say it (!) but it’s the simple things we do every day that make all the difference. Having a good diet. Being well hydrated. Taking regular exercise, in a form we enjoy. Having regular holidays, time to relax and unwind. Good quality sleep. We’re sure you know the list by now (!). 

 

It’s also being aware of those things which may – or may not (!) – be outside our control and can affect our susceptibility in the short term. Some are obvious, such as additional stress at work or home. But what about a boozy night out with mates or interrupted sleep from nursing a sick child? Recognising that these may be times when we’re likely to be more susceptible allows a little pre-emptive action to be taken. 

 

There’s so much more we could say about susceptibility – and the other side of the same coin, risk factors – but are going to stop there for today. Let this new perspective sink in a little. Then, next week we’ll return to this topic again, dive a little deeper and dispel some other very common misunderstandings. 

 

However, the message we’d like to leave you today with is a positive one. Focussing on your own unique susceptibility puts you back in the driving seat, responsible for your own health. No longer the potential victim, waiting for the Bogeyman to strike. And surely that’s a much better way to live your life? 

 

As always, the choice is yours.