Immune System Disorders
Immune system disorders cause abnormally low activity or over activity of the immune system. In cases of immune system over activity, the body attacks and damages its own tissues. Immune deficiency diseases decrease the body’s ability to fight invaders, causing vulnerability to infections. Examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis where the immune system produces antibodies that attack the linings of joints. In systemic lupus people develop autoimmune antibodies that attacked tissues throughout the body. In inflammatory bowel disease the immune system attacks the lining of the intestines, causing episodes of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent bowel movements, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. In multiple sclerosis the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing symptoms that can include pain, blindness, weakness, poor coordination, and muscle spasms.
Disorders of the Immune SystemYour immune system is your body’s defense against infections and other harmful invaders. Without it, illnesses from bacteria or virus would be constant. Your immune system is made up of special cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect you. The lymphatic system is a major part of the immune system. Lymphatic vessels are thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, throughout the body. They carry a clear fluid called lymph. Lymph contains tissue fluid, waste products, and immune system cells. They contain white blood cells that trap viruses, bacteria, and other invaders, including cancer cells. White blood cells are the cells of the immune system. They are made in one of your lymph organs, the bone marrow. Other lymph organs include the spleen and thymus.Causes and SymptomsThe exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. The white blood cells in the body’s immune system help protect against harmful substances. The immune system produces antibodies against these antigens that enable it to destroy these harmful substances. Symptoms will vary based on the type and location of the faulty immune response. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, general ill-feeling, joint pain and rash.TreatmentTreatment for autoimmune diseases generally focuses on reducing immune system activity. The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms, control the autoimmune process and maintain the body’s ability to fight disease. The treatments your doctor suggests will depend on your disease and symptoms. Types of treatments include supplements to replace a substance that the body lacks, such as thyroid hormone, vitamin B12, or insulin, due to the autoimmune disease, blood transfusions if blood is affected and physical therapy to help with movement if the bones, joints, or muscles are affected.
Immune system disorders cause abnormally low activity or over activity of the immune system. In cases of immune system over activity, the body attacks and damages its own tissues. Immune deficiency diseases decrease the body’s ability to fight invaders, causing vulnerability to infections. Examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis where the immune system produces antibodies that attack the linings of joints. In systemic lupus people develop autoimmune antibodies that attacked tissues throughout the body. In inflammatory bowel disease the immune system attacks the lining of the intestines, causing episodes of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent bowel movements, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. In multiple sclerosis the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing symptoms that can include pain, blindness, weakness, poor coordination, and muscle spasms.
Disorders of the Immune System
Your immune system is your body’s defense against infections and other harmful invaders. Without it, illnesses from bacteria or virus would be constant. Your immune system is made up of special cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect you. The lymphatic system is a major part of the immune system. Lymphatic vessels are thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, throughout the body. They carry a clear fluid called lymph. Lymph contains tissue fluid, waste products, and immune system cells. They contain white blood cells that trap viruses, bacteria, and other invaders, including cancer cells. White blood cells are the cells of the immune system. They are made in one of your lymph organs, the bone marrow. Other lymph organs include the spleen and thymus.
Causes and Symptoms
The exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. The white blood cells in the body’s immune system help protect against harmful substances. The immune system produces antibodies against these antigens that enable it to destroy these harmful substances. Symptoms will vary based on the type and location of the faulty immune response. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, general ill-feeling, joint pain and rash.
Treatment
Treatment for autoimmune diseases generally focuses on reducing immune system activity. The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms, control the autoimmune process and maintain the body’s ability to fight disease. The treatments your doctor suggests will depend on your disease and symptoms. Types of treatments include supplements to replace a substance that the body lacks, such as thyroid hormone, vitamin B12, or insulin, due to the autoimmune disease, blood transfusions if blood is affected and physical therapy to help with movement if the bones, joints, or muscles are affected.
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