Enhancing Your Immune System Health - Tips and Tricks

Pertains to the overall functioning and well-being of the body's defense mechanism against pathogens.
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Immunology | Lifestyle Medicine | Nutrition Science | Preventive Care | Wellness
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Immune System Health FAQ


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What is autoimmune disease?

Autoimmunity results from a hyperactive immune system attacking normal tissues as if they were foreign organisms. Common autoimmune diseases include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type 1, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Immunology covers the study of all aspects of the immune system.

Why do autoimmune diseases occur?

Autoantibodies: Problems occur when the immune system mistakenly manufactures autoantibodies, which are antibodies that fight your own body. This is the hallmark problem of autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease, and it happens when the immune system misidentifies self-antigens—your own cells, tissues, and organs—as foreign bodies.

What is the function of white blood cells in the immune system?

These defences are special white blood cells called lymphocytes. Other types of white blood cells play an important part in defending your body against infection. The lymphatic system is also part of the immune system. The lymphatic system is made up of a network of tubes (vessels) which carry fluid called lymph.

What are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases can attack any part of the body - eg, type 1 diabetes (pancreas), multiple sclerosis (brain and nerves), systemic lupus erythematosus (skin and organs). These diseases are managed by the specialist who knows most about the system affected for that person - eg, multiple sclerosis is managed by a neurologist.

How does inflammation affect the body?

Inflammation is part of your body's immune response. Damage to your tissues causes the release of different chemicals into your blood. These chemicals make blood vessels leaky, helping specialised white blood cells get to where they are needed. They also attract neutrophils and monocytes to the site of the injury.

Immune System Health References

If you want to know more about Immune System Health, consider exploring links below:

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