Post by Admin on Feb 18, 2018 19:07:41 GMT
Every cell has its own tag which helps our body to know if the cell is familiar or not. When a foreign cell (antigen) enters the body it is quickly detected and several types of cells then work together to identify whether it is a threat to the body. If it is then antibodies (specialised proteins) are produced. They lock onto these antigens and then work with other cells to destroy them. If the body isn’t able to destroy the antigens straight away then the germs will multiply - causing you to feel ill. But, as your body destroys more of the germs you start to feel better.
Once produced these antibodies stay in a person’s body for life, meaning if those germs enter you body again you will be able to quickly identify them and destroy this. This is why for some diseases, such as chickenpox, you can’t normally get ill from it twice. This is also how immunisations work. They introduce the body to an antigen, without making the body sick, so that it will make antibodies and be protected from a future attack from that disease. This is known as immunity.
Antibodies also have a couple of other roles. They can neutralize toxins produced by different organisms and they also activate proteins which assist in killing bacteria, viruses or infected cells.
Immune system problems
There are four types of immune system disorders:
Immunodeficiency disorders - these disrupt your body’s ability to defend itself against antigens
Autoimmune disorders - when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. IBD is an autoimmune disorder
Allergic disorders - a hypersensitive reaction to an allergen that has no effect on most people e.g. pollen, nuts
Cancers of the immune system - such as lymphoma
What are autoimmune disorders?
IBD is an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy cells as though they are germs. This then triggers inflammation in the body. In IBD the body is attacking parts of the digestive system. Doctors don’t yet know why this happens.
Why is inflammation triggered?
Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response. When tissue is damaged it helps to release chemicals into the blood which assist white blood cells to get to where they are needed. They also attract the specialist white blood cells, known as neutrophils and monocytes, to the area. These cells then help protect against an infection developing.
The immune system and IBD
It is believed IBD is the result of an abnormal response by your body’s immune system. The immune system mistakes food, bacteria and other materials as invading substances. White blood cells flood the area and inflammation takes place.
This inflammation is systemic (or body wide) creating the other aches and pains and fatigue associated with IBD.
Researchers also believe that once the immune system is ‘on’ it doesn’t know how to turn itself ‘off’ at the right time. This means the inflammation remains, causing damage and the symptoms of IBD. Many medical therapies - such as immunomodulators and biologics - for IBD focus on helping patients to regulate their immune system better.
The main medications for IBD which target the immune system are:
Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that also serve as immunosuppressants which suppress the immune system
Immunomodulators - These drugs suppress your overall immune response, which then curbs the inflammation
Biologic therapies - These drugs target proteins involved in your immune response
Once produced these antibodies stay in a person’s body for life, meaning if those germs enter you body again you will be able to quickly identify them and destroy this. This is why for some diseases, such as chickenpox, you can’t normally get ill from it twice. This is also how immunisations work. They introduce the body to an antigen, without making the body sick, so that it will make antibodies and be protected from a future attack from that disease. This is known as immunity.
Antibodies also have a couple of other roles. They can neutralize toxins produced by different organisms and they also activate proteins which assist in killing bacteria, viruses or infected cells.
Immune system problems
There are four types of immune system disorders:
Immunodeficiency disorders - these disrupt your body’s ability to defend itself against antigens
Autoimmune disorders - when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. IBD is an autoimmune disorder
Allergic disorders - a hypersensitive reaction to an allergen that has no effect on most people e.g. pollen, nuts
Cancers of the immune system - such as lymphoma
What are autoimmune disorders?
IBD is an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy cells as though they are germs. This then triggers inflammation in the body. In IBD the body is attacking parts of the digestive system. Doctors don’t yet know why this happens.
Why is inflammation triggered?
Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response. When tissue is damaged it helps to release chemicals into the blood which assist white blood cells to get to where they are needed. They also attract the specialist white blood cells, known as neutrophils and monocytes, to the area. These cells then help protect against an infection developing.
The immune system and IBD
It is believed IBD is the result of an abnormal response by your body’s immune system. The immune system mistakes food, bacteria and other materials as invading substances. White blood cells flood the area and inflammation takes place.
This inflammation is systemic (or body wide) creating the other aches and pains and fatigue associated with IBD.
Researchers also believe that once the immune system is ‘on’ it doesn’t know how to turn itself ‘off’ at the right time. This means the inflammation remains, causing damage and the symptoms of IBD. Many medical therapies - such as immunomodulators and biologics - for IBD focus on helping patients to regulate their immune system better.
The main medications for IBD which target the immune system are:
Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that also serve as immunosuppressants which suppress the immune system
Immunomodulators - These drugs suppress your overall immune response, which then curbs the inflammation
Biologic therapies - These drugs target proteins involved in your immune response