B-cells are a type of white blood cell that help fight infection by hunting down germs. All germs have antigens. B-cells know that when they see antigens, they're dealing with a germ. The B-cells then create an antibody that attaches to the germ's antigen, sending a signal for backup.
Immune System
Immune and lymphatic system health is necessary for protecting your body from germs and diseases. Known as the body's 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), Huntingdon's disease and lupus. Allergies occur when your immune system mistakes harmless substances for threats and attacks these harmless substances.
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Jumo Health answeredThe function of the immune system is to guard the body against germs that can cause infections and make people sick. The immune system is made up of different cells, proteins and organs that all work together.
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Methodist Children’s Hospital answeredA bone marrow transplant can treat a wide range of rare diseases including leukemias, diseases of the immune system or diseases of bone marrow failure like aplastic anemia. Bone marrow transplants can also be used to cure diseases like sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies. -
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Capital Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 4 AnswersSome people, especially those who have had surgery on their lymph nodes or radiation treatment for cancer, have a troublesome side effect called lymphedema. As part of the immune system, lymph fluid normally increases and decreases in response to injury or infection. But when lymphedema occurs, the lymph fluid does not drain away, causing painful swelling in one or more limbs.
Fortunately, there is an effective, hands-on remedy called manual lymph drainage. It is a specialized form of massage for people with lymphedema that helps move fluid back toward the body’s core. This specialized decongestive therapy has several components. First, directed massage is used to clear fluid from the trunk area, in preparation for the second step of the process. The second step is to move fluid from the swollen limb toward the trunk. Light pressure is used during treatment. It’s very relaxing.
People are then measured for a compression garment to wear during the day and for bandages to wear at night. This keeps the limb from swelling again. People are encouraged to exercise as much as possible to keep the fluids moving. Education is also provided, so people can manage their lymphedema independently.
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In this video oncologist Paul Shaughnessy, MD, at Methodist Hospital, discusses the crucial role of bone marrow in producing our blood.
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In this video, oncologist Paul Shaughnessy, MD, at Methodist Hospital, explains the process by which a patient's stem cells are harvested before cancer treatment, and then returned to the body once chemotherapy is completed.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 2 AnswersA lymphedema therapist helps those with lymphedema to deal with chronic fluid build-up and skin conditions.
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Aurora Health Care answeredBreast lymphedema is a problem that may occur after surgery and treatment of breast cancer. It is the swelling of the arm, armpit, breast, or chest wall, on the side where the breast surgery was done. Infection of the arm, chest, or breast on the side where surgery was done, may trigger the onset of lymphedema. The following suggestions will help prevent infection:- Good hygiene is important. Keep the skin clean and dry. Use gentle soaps and lotions to prevent skin dryness and irritation. Try to avoid soaps and lotions with perfumes. These contain alcohol and can be very drying to the skin. Some good choices for soaps are Dove, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Basis, and Oil of Olay. Use a moisturizing lotion if you have dry skin.
- Take precautions to avoid cutting or puncturing the skin of the affected arm. This may allow bacteria to get into the skin, which may lead to infection.
- Avoid having injections or blood drawn in the affected arm.
- Wear gloves while doing housework, gardening, or other types of work that may cause cuts, scrapes, or punctures.
- Use an electric shaver instead of a safety razor. This will help avoid accidentally cutting the skin.
- Keep cuticles neat using lotions, rather than cutting them.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredLet Them Eat Dirt. No, not as a meal and not by the bucket load. The point here is that it's better for your children to get messy, get dirty, and come in contact with the natural world than it is for them to grow up in an ultrasterile environment where you scrub every surface with disinfectant. The reason: You need to allow their immune armies to get their basic training. If they don't have an opportunity to practice fighting, then they'll be trigger happy when they encounter a minor intruder. So while we certainly recommend that you be vigilant when it comes to hand washing to protect against those viruses and bacteria that can get passed from kid to kid and from hand to mouth, remember that there's an absolute biological advantage to exposing your kid to all kinds of things in the natural world, including dirt. Note the difference between dirt (organic, such as what's found on a farm) and filth (city grime). -
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Potential candidates for outpatient bone marrow (hematopoietic cell) transplant include people with:- multiple myeloma
- Hodgkin’s disease
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- leukemia
- myelodysplasia
- relapsed lymphoma
This content originally appeared online at UCLA Health.