The immune system fights off invading bacteria and helps maintain healthy organ function. The immune system also includes white blood cells, which are also known as white cells. Another class of white cells is the neutrophil, which plays a major role in the immune system by fighting bacteria. Other forms of white cells are granulocytes, eosinophils, and lymphocytes.
Bacteria and viruses can latch onto any of these cell types and initiate a chain of events that results in infection. The immune system produces antibodies to fight these intruders. Antibodies help to identify the invaders and release chemicals (antibody therapy) to fight them off. The destruction of pathogens also leads to the production of antibodies. In turn, these antibodies help to lock onto foreign particles and eradicate them from the body.
The immune system starts to decline with age. There are many contributing factors, including a decrease in white blood cells, which are the main parts of the immune system and the first line of defense. Disease-causing organisms sometimes attach to the surface of cells and may trigger inflammation. Lymphocytic complement systems may be activated by certain triggers such as illness, injury, or exposure to a pathogen. The result is increased white blood cell activity that kills the invading organism.
A key part of the immune system is the thymus, which is a glandular structure located between the eyes. Thymus cells produce a white blood cells called thymus proteins, which act as the body’s defense mechanism against all pathogens. The function of the thymus is to manufacture the antibodies that help destroy pathogens and bacteria that invade the body. The thymus gland is very important for our overall health as it produces new blood cells.
The major functions of antibodies are to attack foreign microbes and release the corresponding protective antibodies. There are two general types of antibodies – antigens and interferons. These differ in their ability to destroy various microbes by identifying specific proteins upon detection. There are three major classes of these antibodies – rheumatoid, allergic, and lymphocyte.
Allergy is a general term that involves the immune system producing antibodies to attack specific allergens. An example of allergy is hay fever. Hay fever is a common condition that affects people who are allergic to animals, plants, and foods. An example of an allergen is dust. Almost all people can be allergic to some type of food.
B lymphocytes are one of the major components of the immune system that are responsible for protecting the body from pathogens. They are white blood cells that produce antibodies. This cell type also plays a major role in inflammation. When a person is sick, B lymphocytes help kill off invading microbes by producing chemicals that enable the blood to stop the infection. There are three major functions of the B lymphocytes – killing pathogens, producing antibodies, and producing cells to assist in recovery.
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that help destroy and build tissues. They are generally found in the bone marrow and produce proteins needed for the immune system to perform its functions. They are mainly affected by diseases and infections and they provide an important part of the immune system to combat infections. Diseases that affect the lymphatic system include lymphocytic choriomeningitis, granuloma multiforme, meningitis, pertussis, and many others.
Pathogens are foreign entities that can cause disease in the human body. These entities are made of bacteria and sometimes viruses. The main function of these pathogens is to attack healthy cells or tissues. As the immune system develops and functions well, these foreign organisms get trapped inside it and begin to multiply. They release toxins that have the ability to damage healthy cells or tissues as well as to cause other diseases.
Lymphocytes work to fight against these infections by producing antibodies. Since antibodies are designed to attack foreign matters, they help to increase the white blood cells that help combat infections. When the immune system is working well, it is able to fight infections that affect the gastrointestinal system, skin, respiratory tract, and others. Some of the common diseases that increase the risk for autoimmune diseases include influenza, HIV, Hepatitis A, and others. It is important for these patients to know and understand their immune system’s response to infections because if they do not respond well, they can make the condition worse.
Immune system problems are very common in those who take Immune Globulin Therapy. If they have colds or other infections, they will be at risk for autoimmune diseases. Some patients with diabetes, AIDS or HIV may also have problems with the Immune System. There are medications for these illnesses that can slow down the production of antibodies but there is currently no Immune System treatment that can cure these conditions. There are some natural Immune System treatments however and they are effective in stopping the increase of white blood cells.