Three Ways Exercise Benefits the Immune System

Westland, Michigan-resident Jimmy M. (Marwan) Kassis earned a bachelor of science in psychology with honors from Wayne State University. Jimmy Marwan Kassis assists patients seeking emergency medical help as an emergency medical technician (EMT) with Beaumont EMS. When not working, Jimmy M. Kassis stays active by walking and weightlifting as part of his regular exercise program.

Exercise of almost any type is proven to benefit the immune system according to numerous research studies, despite the common misconception that some types of exercise suppress immunity. Nearly any type of regular or intense exercise supports immune function in one of the following three ways.

First, the body’s immunity relies on the skin to function as a physical barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the body. Exercise is proven to improve wound healing times, which in turn reduces the risk of pathogens entering the body.

Second, the body’s innate immunity, which predominantly relies on the actions of killer cells and neutrophils to respond to infections, is heightened during exercise. This occurs because the natural killer cells are transported into the bloodstream more quickly and able to move to areas of inflammation to manage damaged cells.

Third, exercise improves the body’s adaptive immunity, which depends on the actions of lymphocytes. Regular exercise promotes the body’s ability to preserve young T lymphocytes, which boosts immune function.

How Hiking Benefits Mental Health

image: Jimmy Marwan Kassis

A Dean’s list graduate of Wayne State University, Jimmy Marwan Kassis obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the school and now serves as an EMT-B at Beaumont EMS. When he isn’t providing immediate, life-saving care to critically ill or injured patients, Jimmy Marwan Kassis enjoys hobbies such as weightlifting and hiking.

Hiking is a great low-impact exercise that has obvious physical benefits, but it can also be beneficial to one’s mental health. There’s a notion that hiking helps clear the mind and researchers recently confirmed this idea by comparing levels of rumination among study participants who walked in urban environments to those who hiked in nature. Participants in the latter group reported decreased levels of rumination and showed reduced neural activity in the part of the brain that is associated with mental illness.

Individuals with higher levels of rumination are more likely to focus on and over-analyze negative experiences and emotions, so lengthy walks in nature can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Beyond this, hiking can even boost one’s problem-solving capabilities.

Another study, conducted by David L. Strayer and Ruth Ann Atchley, found that those who abstained from technology during four days of hiking showed increased performance on tasks that involved complex problems. This is owed to the idea that technology and noise pollution in larger urban areas distract individuals from focusing, whereas hiking in nature can reduce mental fatigue and improve cognitive functions.

Michigan Becomes Second No-Kill State in the United States

Jimmy Marwan Kassis photograph

The recipient of a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University, Jimmy Marwan Kassis is a certified EMT-B with Beaumont EMS in Taylor, Michigan and who provides emergency care to critically ill and injured patients. When he isn’t working, Jimmy Marwan Kassis enjoys volunteering at animal shelters.

In September 2019, Michigan became the second no-kill state, meaning shelters will place increased emphasis on animal treatment and rehabilitation. It doesn’t necessarily mean the banning of euthanasia; rather, that will now serve primarily as an act of mercy for animals who are deemed too sick or those that display vicious tendencies. Animals with easily-treatable injuries or illnesses will be properly cared for and returned to their owners or put up for adoption. 

The legislation is the latest progression for animal welfare in Michigan. Whereas in years past as many as 120,000 dogs would be put down, that number decreased drastically in 2018 to 13,000 as the state reported a live release rate for shelter cats and dogs of 90 percent. Delaware was the first no-kill animal shelter state in the US and California is hoping to achieve that status within five years thanks in part to a proposed $50 million grant as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020-21 budget proposal.

What Is the Difference Between Basic and Advanced Life Support?

Jimmy Marwan Kassis photograph

An expert in men’s health and fitness, Jimmy Marwan Kassis graduated from Wayne State University with a BS in psychology in 2014. Since 2018, Jimmy Marwan Kassis has provided emergency medical care as an emergency medical technician – basic (EMT-B) with Beaumont EMS in Michigan. 

Beaumont EMS currently provides an array of medical services that range from a bariatric unit and mobile intensive care to basic and advanced life support. Basic life support (BLS) involves care for patients that experience an obstructed airway or some form of cardiac arrest or respiratory distress. BLS providers typically have the ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Advanced life support (ALS) goes beyond BLS by incorporating a series of algorithms to assess the health status of an individual and how to treat them. Moreover, ALS providers are trained in the administration of certain medications. In some cases, ALS providers may also be skilled in specific areas. These special skill sets include pediatric advanced life support (PALS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

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