The most common immune system disorders

The immune system defends and protects your body from various microorganisms, helping you to enjoy a healthy life. But, the immune system too, has many shortcomings or immune system disorders, which can play havoc with your body.

How can disorders caused by the immune system affect your body drastically?

These disorders can be caused through various factors and can evolve with either an under active or over active immune response. You can categorize these disorders of the immune system under primary or acquired (immunodeficiency) disorders, autoimmune disorders, allergic disorders and cancer related disorders. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system of your body takes a different course, by mistakenly attacking its own tissues and cells. Allergic disorders take place when the immune system tends to be over active.

Immunodeficiency Disorders

Immune system disorders can occur when your immune system is compromised or is not present at all. Primary immunodeficiencies can be due to genetic abnormalities, hence individuals are born with this disorder. Acquired immunodeficiencies can occur due to various infections, nutritional irregularities or medical treatment. These immune system disorders have proven to affect B-cells, T-cells and phagocytes severely.

Here are a few disorders due to primary immunodeficiency:

• Selective IgA Deficiency

  This immunoglobulin is usually found in the body fluids and saliva. Deficiency of IgA can produce less number of antibodies, thus evading the entrance protection and giving rise to allergies, colds, respiratory infections, etc.

• SCID

Severe combined immunodeficiency occurs due to scarcity of B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte. Without the help of these cells it is impossible to fight infections. For a child suffering from SCID, the only way to survive is by doing a bone marrow transplant.

• DiGeorge syndrome

Children born with thymic dysplasia do not have thymus or underdeveloped thymus which deters the T-lymphocytes maturing. They suffer from recurrent infections and physical deformities.

• Chediak-Higashi Syndrome

This is one of the rare inherited immune system disorders which give rise to albinism.

Here are a few disorders due to acquired immunodeficiency:

• AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS finishes your immune system gradually. It is caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which totally demolishes the T-helper cells and causes various deadly infections. AIDS can be contracted at birth, through sexual intercourse or through the use of infected needles.

• MedicationsSome medications subdue and suppress the immune system severely. Chemotherapy treatment and immunosuppressant medications can cause acquired immunodeficiency.

• Autoimmune Disorders

One of the most unusual immune system facts is autoimmune diseases. This disorder is caused when your own immune system attacks your own body organs and tissues, misidentifying them to be some foreign elements. There are various autoimmune disorders like scleroderma, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile dermatomyositis, etc. Most of the body organs, muscles, bones are affected due to this disorder.

• Allergic Disorders

Allergens provoke the immune system to overreact and cause allergic disorders. There are many allergic reactions occurring due to the environmental antigen exposure. Some common allergic disorders are:

• Asthma

Usually caused due to pollens, dust mites, animal fur, molds, etc. These allergens narrow the breathing tubes, reducing the airflow and making the person unable to breathe.

• Allergies

Can occur due to dust, change in weather, medications, various types of foods, toxins, etc.

• Cancers

One of the most feared immune system disorders is cancer. To cure cancerous growth is still quite unpopular in many countries. This usually takes place when the cell growth is uncontrolled and abnormal. Leukemia and lymphoma are a few examples of cancerous growths. Leukemia involves the abnormal growth of leukocytes and lymphoma involves the lymphoid tissues growth.

Although many of these immune system disorders are unavoidable, you can still work towards strengthening your immune system by searching for some online natural remedies.