|
Look inside!
Inside our body is a mechanism that provides us protection against bacteria,
parasites, viruses, toxins and various other disease causing organisms. This is
the immune system. It is a truly amazing configuration which defends us from the attacks from sources external to our body. There are several aspects of an immune system which can mould itself to optimize these unwanted intrusions.
Your immune system is working since you have come into existence and people don't even know about it. Immune system works in close coordination with your other parts of the body. Every moment our immune system is doing something to keep you healthy and alive.
You don't know what's going in there!
It is important to know about immune system especially when you are hearing a
lot about it these days and when many diseases are related to immune system.
Knowing about immune system helps us to understand about the responses of our body and why things like fever, inflammation etc happen.
Sometimes you see what you get!
The most obvious part of the immune system is your skin. Yes, it is the first defense against foreign bodies. Skin successfully works against the invasion of germs and bacteria. The epidermis contains special cells called Langerhans cells that form the early-warning component in the immune system. Skin also produces anti bacterial substances which prevent any effect of bacteria and spores on us. Most of the foreign bodies that come in contact with the skin are instantly killed.
The obvious passage for entry of bacteria and germs are your nose, mouth, and eyes. In the nose though there is no mechanism to kill invasion, however because of the presence of mucus they are trapped and soon engulfed. Tears and mucus contain an enzyme called lysozme which breaks down the cell wall of several bacteria. The saliva in our mouth also has anti bacterial properties. Germs, bacteria or virus that are trying to get inside your body have to face these defenses before they can go any further.
There is a whole lot of effort!
Inside the body there is a more complex mechanism that germs have to deal with. The main components of immune system inside the body are Thymus, Spleen, Lymph system, Bone marrow, White blood cells, Antibodies, Complement system and Hormones.
Interestingly the system is effective most of
the time. Many common diseases are a result of
insufficient response by immune system. Common
cold is caused by virus. Sometimes the body is
unable to recognize harmful virus and give them
passage through the body. Thus begins the sneezing,
running nose the related symptoms. Allergies
are caused due to inadequate immunity. Disease
like diabetes and
AIDS reduce the immunity of the body and decrease
the natural ability of the body to fight against
infection.
BACK TO GENERAL HEALTH SECTION
|
