Immune System
Immune and lymphatic system health is necessary for protecting your body from germs and diseases. Known as the bodys first line of defense, your immune system and lymphatic system help protect you from bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause disease.
Your lymphatic system produces and carries white blood cells containing antibodies that fight off infection. Your lymphatic system transports and destroys dead or damaged cells and cancer cells, removing these substances from the blood stream.
Problems with your immune and lymphatic system can result in various diseases. A weakened immune system can lead to diseases including cancer, the flu and chronic fatigue syndrome. An overactive immune system can lead to diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntingdons disease and lupus.
Allergies occur when your immune system mistakes harmless substances for threats and attacks these harmless substances.
Recently Answered
- Q What are some foods that boost immunity?
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Your immune system is responsible for helping fight off everything from the common cold to cancer -- a tall order! Send in some reinforcements so it doesn't get battle fatigue. Here are four foods your immune system loves. Oranges, yogurt, tea... Full Answer
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- Q What are islet cells and antibodies?
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Islet cells are located in the pancreas and make hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatomammotropin, and pancreatic polypeptide. In some people, the immune system produces islet cell antibodies, which attack and destroy the islet cells as though... Full Answer
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- Q What causes myasthenia gravis?
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Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. It occurs when normal communication between the nerve and muscle is interrupted at the neuromuscular junction -- the place where nerve cells connect with... Full Answer
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- Q What do dendritic cells do?
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Dendritic cells are found in the blood. They are essential for the start of any immune response, be it against a bacterial infection, a viral infection or tumor cells. Moreover, these dendritic cells are also responsible for telling the body what type of... Full Answer
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- Q What are dendritic cells?
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Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Family MedicineDendritic cells are tree-shaped immune cells that are scattered throughout the body in their immature or deactivated form. When activated they trap and process what they recognize as enemy material to present it to other immune cells to remove or kill... Full Answer
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- Q Can weather changes trigger illness?
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Dr. Charles Sophy, PsychiatryYour body is used to functioning in a certain temperature, so as the seasons change, your body is forced to re-adapt. This includes your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections and viruses. Weather changes can cause imbalances in brain... Full Answer
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- Q What is the function of the thymus gland?
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Dr. Susie Whitworth, NursingThe thymus gland is located in the neck above the heart. The function of the thymus gland is to generate mature T lymphocytes (white blood cels that help the immune system fight off illness). Damage to the thymus gland can cause an increase in... Full Answer
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- Q What foods can help my immune system?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyFoods like sardines, papaya, carrots, miso, elderberry, and garlic can boost immunity. Learn more about these foods that boost immunity in this video with Dr. Oz. Full Answer
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- Q How does exercise affect the immune system?
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Eric Olsen, FitnessHow exercise works to enhance the immune system is not fully understood, although studies have shown that moderately vigorous aerobic training such as brisk walking is associated with an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes (also known as... Full Answer
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- Q What are immunoglobulin M (IGM) antibodies?
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Dr. Paul Ehrlich, Allergy & ImmunologyImmunoglobulin M (IgM) is the first antibody that turns out to fight an infection. It is then replaced by longer-lived immunoglobulin G (IgG). The immune system uses this antibody to activate the complement system, a sequence of interactions that... Full Answer
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