Our hope is that readers have learned a great deal about the immune system during this series. Today, we are continuing in this series by sharing more about the body’s complex immune responses. Remember, your local Orlando gastroenterologists are here to help with any gastro issues you may be dealing with.
How the body responds to foreign substances:
Unless you have been diagnosed with a medical issue which prohibits any digestive health improvements, you should never put up with digestive health issues. For starters, you may visit our office during this pandemic and feel safe doing so. In our most recent blog, readers learned about the immune system.
There are multiple types of immunities, and we explained each one in depth. Pop back over to that blog if you did not yet read that. Then, come on back over for further informative news.
Inflammatory response:
Now that you are all caught up, the next topic is on inflammation. The inflammatory response occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, heat, toxins, or any other cause. The damaged cells release various chemicals including histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins.
These chemicals cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues. This is what causes the swelling. This response helps isolate the foreign substance form further contact with body tissues.
These chemicals also attract white blood cells called phagocytes that eat germs and dead/damaged cells. That process is called phagocytosis. Phagocytes eventually die, and pus if formed from a collection of dead tissue, dead bacteria, live phagocytes, and dead phagocytes.
Immune system disorders:
Immune system disorders occur when the immune response is directed against body tissue. Allergies involve an immune response to a substance that most people’s bodies perceive as harmless. How interesting is that?
A normal, efficient immune response protects against many diseases and disorders. Unfortunately, an inefficient immune response allows diseases to develop. When the body uses too much, too little, or the wrong immune response altogether, it causes immune system disorders.
An overactive immune response can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. In that case, antibodies form against the body’s own tissues. As you can imagine, this causes a great deal of health issues if not treated promptly.
Individuals may have complications from altered immune responses including the following:
- allergies
- hypersensitivity
- autoimmune disorders
- graft versus host disease
- immunodeficiency disorders
- serum sickness
- transplant rejection
As we have shared before, about seventy percent of a human immune system dwells in the digestive tract in the form of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. This tissue is called GALT. Plasma cells reside within the GALT, and they are an important component of the immune system.
The immune system and gut health:
The gut is the major channel between the external environment and the internal systems within the body. Our gut is exposed to many germs and harmful invaders such as bacteria and viruses present in food particles. Harmful agents are attacked once the immune system perceives them as toxic.
On the other hand, the body does not reject everything we put into it. This process is called tolerance. When the immune system rejects a usually harmless substance, people are labeled with food sensitivities, intolerances, or allergies.
Orlando Gastro doctor:
Next week, we will share more about the complex immune system and your digestive health. Stay at your healthiest during this pandemic to fight off toxic germs and viruses. Come back next time for more!
Staff Writer