Written by: Siri Munnuluri
In recent years, immunological disorders have been at the crux of confusion. Exactly what is it that causes us to lose our ability to fight off attacks on our bodies? Why aren’t our white blood cells fighting? This complex topic is what this magazine article hopes to explain.
Your immune system: What is it?
One’s immune system is one’s body’s defense against infections and other dangerous invaders. Without it, we would constantly get sick from viruses, bacteria, etc. Thus, our immune system is made up of special cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect us.
A major part of the immune system includes the lymph; the lymphatic system is a network of lymph nodes and vessels. Lymphatic vessels are thin tubes that branch out, similar to blood vessels, throughout the entire body. They carry a clear fluid known as “lymph.” Lymph contains tissue fluid, waste products, and immune system cells. These nodes are tiny, bean shaped structures of the immune system that are connected by the lymphatic vessels. They contain white blood cells, trap bacteria, invaders, bacteria, and anything the body deems as dangerous.
Another part of the immune system includes the white blood cells. The bone marrow, one of your lymph organs, produces these white blood cells. Other examples of lymph organs include the spleen and thymus.
Bone Marrow: The bone marrow fills the cavities of your bones and holds cells that create red and white blood cells and platelets, which make whole blood.
Spleen: The spleen is a small organ located inside your left rib, just above the stomach. It is a vital part of the lymphatic system. The spleen works by storing and filtering blood that makes white blood cells that protect you from infection. Torn spleens can be fatal.
Thymus: The thymus is a small gland in the lymphatic system that trains special white blood cells called T-cells. These t-cells help your immune system fight disease and infection.
Can things go wrong with your immune system?
Yes! Just like any other organ system in your body, the immune system can become unhealthy or be unhealthy from birth. When your immune system doesn’t work the way that it should, it becomes known as an immune system disorder, or immunological disorder. Here are some ways that your immune system can be considered unhealthy:
If you are born with a weak immune system. This is known as “primary immune deficiency.”
If you receive a disease that in turn, weakens your immune system. This is known as “acquired immune deficiency.”
If you have an immune system that is too active. This can happen when someone experiences anaphylaxis, or an allergic reaction.
If you have an immune system that turns against you. This is known as an “autoimmune disease.”
Immune system disorders:
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID): this is an immune disease that is present at birth and something that isn’t under their control. Children are always in danger of infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This disorder is sometimes known as “bubble boy disease.” Children with SCID are missing valuable white blood cells. They are temporary acquired immune deficiencies. Your immune system can be weakened by particular medications. This can happen to those on chemotherapy or other cancer-treating drugs. It can also happen to people following organ transplants who take medications to prevent organ rejection. In addition, infections like the flu, mono, and measles can weaken the immune system for a little while. Similarly, your immune system can be weakened by smoking, alcohol, and poor nutrition.
AIDS: HIV, which leads to AIDS, is an acquired viral infection that destroys white blood cells and weakens the overall immune system. People that have HIV/AIDS can become very ill with infections that most healthy people can easily fight off. These infections are called “opportunistic infections” because they tend to take advantage of weakened immune systems.
Overactive Immune Systems:
If you are born with specific genes, your immune system can react to substances in the environment that are generally harmless. These substances are known as allergens. Having an allergic reaction is usually the most common example of an overactive immune system. Some examples of common allergens include dust, pollen, mold, peanuts, etc. Here are some conditions that are caused by an overactive immune system:
Asthma: this is a response in your lungs that can cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. Asthma can be triggered by common allergens like dust or pollen.
Eczema: An allergen can sometimes cause an itchy rash known as atopic dermatitis.
Allergic rhinitis: sneezing, a runny nose, sniffling, and swelling of your nasal passages from indoor allergens like pets or outdoor allergens like pollen.
Autoimmune Disease:
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body attacks normal, healthy tissues. The true cause of this, however, is still unknown. It most likely has to do with a combination of one’s genes and something in the environment. There are three common autoimmune diseases:
Type 1 diabetes: this is when the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin works to remove sugar from the blood in order to convert it into energy.
Rheumatoid arthritis: this type of arthritis in particular causes swelling and deformities of the joints. An auto-antibody called rheumatoid factor is in the blood of some people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus: this disease attacks body tissues such as the lungs, kidneys, and skin.
How are autoimmune diseases treated?
Unfortunately, there are no cures for autoimmune diseases, but the symptoms can be mitigated. Everyone’s immune system, genetics, and environment are quite different, so everyone’s treatments tend to be unique. However, some examples of medications that can be used to treat autoimmune diseases include:
Painkillers
Anti inflammatories
Medications for depression and anxiety
Insulin injections
Sleeping medications
Plasma exchanges
Corticosteroids: used to treat rheumatologic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or vasculitis
Rash creams and pills
IV immune globulin
Drugs that suppress your immune system (overactive immune system combatant)
In addition, some people also try complementary medicines and procedures. Examples include:
Herbs
Hypnosis
Chiropractic procedures
Acupuncture
However, there are still some important things to note. Several people wonder if diet plays a role in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and several experts say it does. It is important to talk to your primary care healthcare provider or dietitian about what a perfect nutrition plan can look like for you. In addition, exercise can also help with these diseases in a way; things like the type and amount of exercise is helpful when dealing with immunological disorders.
Prevention:
Now I’m hitting the core of the disease. The prevention. After reading about the grave dangers autoimmune diseases can cause, now it is time to discuss whether or not they can be prevented:
Sadly, it may not be entirely possible to prevent autoimmune diseases. But, some experts recommend you try:
Exercising consistently (working with a physical therapist can do wonders for your immune health)
Staying away from cigarettes (one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself)
Avoiding toxins (especially those with overactive immune systems, staying away from things that can cause your immune system to attack is important)
Eating a healthy and balanced diet (work with a nutritionist)
Limiting the intake of processed food (make sure that the food you eat is healthy)
However, it is important to note that immunological disease symptoms can change over a course of time. They may go into remission, where for a period of time, you have minimal or no symptoms: or, these diseases may flare up over time, making the disease get worse. Though they can’t be cured, the symptoms you face can be treated. Many people with autoimmune diseases can live a normal life.
Yes, there have been instances where an autoimmune disease disappears forever. However, most of these diseases are chronic, meaning that they last a long time and most likely a lifetime.
Sources Used:
Image Citation:
Commentaires