The immune system is an amazing, proactive defense mechanism. Its complex network of white blood cells, antibodies and other immune chemicals and organs offers us around-the-clock protection against invaders. When there is a cut on the skin, the immune system works actively to heal it and stop the entry of microbes like viruses and bacteria. As our cells continuously reproduce, a strong immune system also helps to detect and defeat cell mutations that could lead to cancer.
Most diseases are the result of a malfunctioning immune system. The immune system may malfunction in one or both of the following ways:
A Weak Immune System
You may have come across someone who constantly gets sick – be it with flu, a cough, cold or even stomach discomfort. Have you ever wondered why some people recover quickly while others take longer or just never fully recover? The answer lies in our immune system.
The air we breathe, the food we eat and the surfaces we touch are always teeming with disease-causing dust, pollutants, fungi, parasites and germs like viruses and bacteria. Once our body is weak, these toxic agents will easily overwhelm the immune system and cause illnesses.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one example of a disease linked with a weak immune system. Once AIDS sets in, the immune system is critically compromised and unable to effectively combat dangerous germs. Cancer is also a sign that our immune system is weak. Chemotherapy, a type of radiation treatment for cancer, further weakens the immune system – this is why cancer patients are easily afflicted with flu, coughs and colds.
A Hyperactive Immune System
The immune system can be also malfunction by over-reacting of turning against the body’s own cells. This often leads to allergies or autoimmune diseases.
An allergic reaction, such as a respiratory allergy, skin allergy or food allergy, occurs when the immune system reacts against non-threatening agents, such as plant pollen, animal fur, dust and some types of food.
An autoimmune disease occurs when our immune system mistakenly attacks our body’s own healthy cells. Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus are all examples of common autoimmune diseases.
Doctor treats allergies and autoimmune diseases by prescribing drugs to suppress the immune response. Such treatment usually results in a weakened immune system, thus, leaving us more susceptible to diseases. And usually, such drugs only stop the symptoms, such as swelling or pain. They do not completely cure the disease. In addition, medications result in a wide array of harmful side effects.
Immune Organs
The first line of defence – skin: When invaders are sighted, Langerhans cells sound the warning bell. Antibacterial substances within our sweat and sebum trap bacteria while tears and mucus membranes secrete enzymes to break down the invader’s cell wall.
Soldier Factory – Bone Marrow: Bone marrow creates red blood cells and white blood cells, the soldiers of the immune system. Every second, about 8 million blood cells die and the same number are regenerated here.
Training Ground – The Thymus: Just as soldiers train for war through the navy, infantry and air force, the thymus assigns T cells their duties in fighting illnesses. The thymus also secretes immune-regulating hormones.
Battlegrounds – The Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes are little pockets of battlegrounds with billions of white blood cells. When fighting infections, lymph nodes swell with foreign invaders and immune cells to the point where you can actually feel them. Swollen lymph nodes are a good indication that you have an infection and your immune system is hard at work. As the army’s drainage system, lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid, which carries away waste products like viruses and bacteria. The body contains about four times more lymph than blood.
Blood Filter – The Spleen: The spleen is a blood reservoir. It filters the blood by removing dead blood cells as well as engulfed viruses and bacteria. It also activates B cells to produce large amounts of antibodies.
Throat Guard – The Tonsils: The tonsils maintain constant vigilance against invaders that gain access to the body through the nose and mouth. People who have had their tonsils removed show a marked increase in getting Strep throat and Hodgkin’s disease – indicating the importance og the tonsils in upper respiratory tract protection.
Immune Assistant – The Appendix: The appendix assists with B cell maturation and antibody (IgA) production. It also acts like a traffic coordinator, producing molecules that direct the movement of white blood cells to other parts of the body. The appendix also exposes white blood cells to the invaders present in the digestive tract and helps suppress potentially harmful antibody response while promoting local immunity.
Intestinal Guards – Peyer’s Patches: Like the appendix, Peyer’s patches react to invaders in the intestines. They are vital to the control of microbial invaders in our food.
Immune Cells
Specific Fighters – B Cells & Antibodies: B cells provide humeral immunity – protection via antibodies circulating in our bodily fluids like serum and the lymph. B cells are soldiers who fight invaders by producing antibodies specific to them. Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are our enemy-seeking missiles. They track and lock onto assigned invaders before triggering immune responses to destroy the invaders. Some B cells become “memory” cells. So, if the same invader attacks again, they are quickly identified and antibodies are immediately produced to fight against them.
Non-Specific Fighters – T Cells: T cells give the body cellular immunity. They provide non-specific immunity by seeking and destroying enemies regardless of type. Helper T cells are the commanders of the immune system. They rouse and issue orders to other soldiers through chemical messengers. Cytotoxic T cells and NK cells are lethal snipers who shoot holes into invaders. Once the infection is controlled, suppressor T cells regulate antibody production and call an end to the war.
Enemy Eaters – Phagocytes & Granulocytes: Phagocytes, such as monocytes and macrophage, are large cell eaters that engulf and digest the enemy. Macrophages are multitasking immune cells. Apart from cleansing the body of debris and aged blood cells, they also secrete chemicals to bring other immune cells to where the invasion is taking place. Granulocytes, like neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils, destroy invaders through potent chemical granules. For example, pus from a serious infection contains dead neutrophils and other war debris.
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