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 is the role of lymph in my body?
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Dr. Robin Miller, Integrative MedicineLymph helps to destroy potentially dangerous bacteria and cancer cells and filter waste and toxins. It is also responsible for working with the circulatory system to help deliver hormones and nutrients to the tissues of the body. The lymphatic system,... Full Answer
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- Q What makes up the human immune system?
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Despite the critical importance of the immune system for good health, many people have never heard of several key parts of the immune system. For example, there is a pretty good chance you didn't know you have a thymus. Yet it's right next to your heart.... Full Answer
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- Q At what age do most people get myasthenia gravis?
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Although the onset of myasthenia gravis can occur at any age, people usually get it over 50. This age is increasing as the population as a whole is getting older. Most women develop myasthenia gravis in their second or third decades, while men typically... Full Answer
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- Q What are complications of myasthenia gravis?
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A serious-but treatable-complication of myasthenia gravis, is a myasthenic crisis. When a myasthenic crisis occurs, the muscles that control your breathing become too weak for proper ventilation. This medical emergency requires use of a ventilator until... Full Answer
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- Q How is video-assisted thoracic surgery used for myasthenia gravis?
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Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) can be used in myasthenia gravis to remove the thymus gland. This avoids the need to open the chest to remove the thymus, therefore recovery is much faster. Full Answer
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- Q How does surgery treat myasthenia gravis?
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Surgical removal of the thymus gland greatly improves the condition (70% of patients), and in some cases resolves myasthenia gravis. But the treatment has been controversial because it does not help all patients. A team approach—including... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat myasthenia gravis?
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If you have myasthenia gravis, there are many medications available that may provide you with symptom relief. Corticosteroids work by reducing the number of antibodies you make, but this drug can cause significant side effects, like diabetes, if used... Full Answer
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- Q Will my myasthenia gravis ever go away?
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Although there is no cure for myasthenia gravis, some people can experience a spontaneous temporary remission that allows them to discontinue medications. A thymectomy-the surgical removal of the thymus gland-can occasionally cause the muscle weakness to... Full Answer
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If you have myasthenia gravis, the muscles that you use for chewing may become fatigued very easily. To prevent this, you may want to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Avoiding sticky and hard foods and replacing them with foods that... Full Answer
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- Q What are antiphospholipid antibodies?
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An antibody is a special protein your body produces to fight off infections and other invaders. If you suffer from lupus, your antibodies actually work against your own body and you produce them at a very fast rate. About 50 percent of people with lupus... Full Answer
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