We didn’t have time to look back as the summer flew by. Autumn is coming, and winter is not far away. Cold days are ahead and with them endless colds. So how can you help your body? There is only one way out – you need to strengthen your immune system. Immunity – what is it? There is a whole system in our body that can protect us from all kinds of infections. We are not the only ones in this world. Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites also exist with us. They also fight for survival and live in all organisms, including humans.
The immune system is called upon to resist these uninvited guests, which is a complex of organs and cells aimed at performing an immunological function, i.e. to protect the body from genetically alien substances coming from outside or formed in the body itself.
The organs of the immune system produce special cells (lymphocytes, plasmocytes), biologically active substances (antibodies) that recognize and neutralize cells that have entered or formed in the body and other foreign substances (antigens).
There are two types of immunity:
- Cellular
- humoral
Cellular immunity
Cellular immunity is made up of T cells. They protect us from viruses and microbes, from radiation, stress and allergic reactions.
Cellular immunity plays an important role in the following reactions.
but. Delayed-type allergic reactions (eg, tuberculin tests), allergic contact dermatitis.
b. Protection against intracellular parasites.
in. Antiviral and antifungal immunity.
d. Graft rejection.
e. Antitumor immunity.
humoral immunity
The humoral part of the immune system – blood, lymph, complement system. This part cleanses our body of toxins, nourishes with useful substances. Brings “healthy” purified blood to the body. In addition, he is responsible for the formation of antibodies in the body, which include the so-called B-cells. They are formed in the bone marrow, in stem cells.
Antibodies are represented by immunoglobulin proteins. The following immunoglobulins are now open: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD and IgE. Of these, the most numerous, the most versatile and the most well-studied are the classes of immunoglobulins A and G. It is they that neutralize up to 99% of infectious agents and toxins that enter our body.
Immunoglobulin G (IgG). It can be called the head of the immunoglobulin family, since it makes up approximately 75% of the entire family. It contains antibodies against almost all bacteria and viruses, protects our skin and respiratory system, and acts in the blood.
IgG (especially IgGI) is the only immunoglobulin that can cross the placenta and is therefore extremely important in protecting the baby from infection.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA). It manifests its biological activity not in the blood, but on the surface of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, eyes, oral and nasal cavities, and the gastrointestinal tract.
To understand the importance of this immunoglobulin, it is enough to remember that the vast majority of infectious pathogens enter our body through the mucous membranes.
Immunoglobulin D (IgD). It is found in the blood serum.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This species is responsible for all allergic reactions. Protects the body from insect bites, reactions to chocolate, eggs and fish.
Immunoglobulin M (IgM). Its increased amount indicates the presence of infection with syphilis and rubella. An increase in the level of Ig M is also observed in liver diseases (especially with hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver).
If any of these immunoglobulins are not produced, immunodeficiency occurs.
Immunodeficiency (immunological deficiency) – a group of diverse conditions in which the immune system does not function properly, so the diseases caused by infection occur and recur more often, are more severe and last longer than usual.
Immunodeficiency can exist from birth (congenital immunodeficiency) or develop during life.
Congenital immunodeficiencies are usually inherited. Although these are rare conditions, more than 10 different hereditary immunodeficiencies are known. In some cases, the number of leukocytes is reduced, in others it does not differ from the norm, but these cells do not function correctly.
Thirdly, leukocytes cannot perform their function due to the absence of other components of the immune system, such as immunoglobulins or proteins of the complement system. Congenital immunodeficiency is treated by pediatricians.
Immunodeficiency occurring throughout life (acquired immunodeficiency) is usually triggered by a disease or some other external factor (radiation, drugs, stress, etc.). It is more common than congenital.
Some illnesses cause only minor impairment of immune system function, while others can deprive the body of its ability to fight infection. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is well known for causing the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The virus attacks and destroys white blood cells, which normally fight viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Various conditions can also disrupt the function of the immune system. In fact, almost every long-term severe illness affects the immune system to some extent.
An unbalanced diet can also seriously impair the functioning of the immune system and lead to a deficiency of all nutrients, primarily proteins, some vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin A, iron and zinc).
If, as a result of malnutrition, weight loss occurs and it begins to be less than 80% of the optimal, then the immune system always suffers to some extent, and if the weight decreases to 70% of the optimal, then it is damaged even more.
Infections affecting people with weakened immune systems reduce appetite and increase the body’s energy requirements, completing a vicious cycle.
The degree of damage to the immune system depends on how unbalanced the diet was, how long the patient ate improperly, and what underlying disease was accompanied by it. Good nutrition quickly normalizes the state of the immune system.
Every year, – says the doctor of the highest category, allergist-immunologist Zharuk Elena Aleksandrovna, – more and more patients need immunological examination. This is due to stress, the presence of chronic diseases, environmental problems, malnutrition, taking a large number of medications, etc.
The main indicators for immunological examination are:
- chronic diseases of the internal organs with frequent exacerbations, difficult to respond to inpatient therapy (pulmonary, intestinal, renal, etc.);
- acute or recurrent (repeating) purulent processes of various localization: barley, boils, carbuncles; osteomyelitis, paraproctitis;
- chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis;
- genital infections that are difficult to treat with standard drugs;
- chronic viral infections: herpes, cytomegalovirus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- fungal diseases;
- acute diseases with a protracted course (pneumonia, pyelonephritis, sinusitis, etc.);
- preoperative and postoperative immunocorrection for planned surgical patients: improvement of healing processes, shortening of rehabilitation periods, prevention of complications;
- multiple and recurrent benign neoplasms on the skin: papillomas, condylomas, warts;
- allergic diseases associated with a viral or bacterial infection;
- frequent colds, more than 4 times a year.
If you have discovered at least one of the above reasons, not to mention the presence of several, you need to take care of your immune system.
Adolescents aged 14-17 years old, who often have 1-3 chronic diseases, require special attention. At this age, the body is subjected to great hormonal physical and emotional overload.
Elderly people also need to carefully monitor their health, because. Against the background of the physiological fading of immunity, chronic diseases only increase every year.
Able-bodied active young and middle-aged people are increasingly experiencing “chronic fatigue syndrome”, which in most cases is associated with the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in the body.
To examine patients, doctors of the SM-Clinic use only those methods that will help to get an idea of the possibilities of antiviral, antibacterial, antitumor protection of the body.
Subsequent treatment is prescribed taking into account clinical data, examination results and all diseases that the patient suffers from. In addition to drugs for various pathologies, it is used AU-FOC-therapy, laser therapy, ozone therapy, etc.
ATTENTION! You can not mercilessly exploit your body, work and live in a stressful mode, if the body’s reserves are small for such loads.
The body can and should be helped – for this there is a large arsenal of modern drugs and techniques.
Diseases are known to be easier to prevent than to cure. For the prevention of influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, rubella, mumps, tetanus, diphtheria, HPV infection, modern, highly effective vaccines are used in the SM clinic.
Consultation of an allergist-immunologist can be obtained at the following addresses:
m. Voikovskaya
st. Clara Zetkin, 33/28
518-94-74, 777-48-49
www.smdoctors.ru
m. Voikovskaya
st. Cosmonaut Volkova, 9/2
225-50-80, 159-60-01
www.smclinic.ru
