Immune Deficiency – Causes, Symptoms & Therapy

Immunodeficiency

In the case of an immune deficiency , the immune system, which normally protects the healthy body from pathogens, no longer functions properly. In the case of various physical illnesses, the immune system is temporarily prone to malfunction. If the disorders are permanent, doctors speak of an immune deficiency or an immune defect.

What is an immune deficiency?

How an immune deficiency can be treated and how it develops depends on which of the two known forms it is. Primary immunodeficiency is always congenital. Genetic disorders affect the body’s ability to produce antibodies.

The secondary immunodeficiency develops over the life course as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, severe physical illnesses and the influence of viruses and chemical toxins. The causes are developing deficiencies, which lead to the destruction of the important antibodies and defense cells.

causes

Science continues to work on researching the genetic cause of the primary immune deficiency without exact results. However, a gene has already been identified that impairs the formation of antibodies from birth or destroys the functionality of existing antibodies. Since the discovery of this congenital disorder, science has noted a rapid increase in genetic causes.The knowledge that in families with known immunodeficiency the probability of inheritance is very high is now considered well-founded. Serious physical illnesses such as leukemia , AIDS , cancer , complex operations or medication required for transplantation are responsible for a secondary immune deficiency.

Long- term stress , the abuse of drugs and harmful stimulants such as alcohol or nicotine, malnutrition , diabetes and other chronic diseases also trigger immune deficiency.

An acquired immunodeficiency can be treated differently depending on its symptoms. The earlier the inflammatory and debilitating course is diagnosed, the more promising a suitable therapy can counteract the further destruction of immune cells.

symptoms and course

Anyone who suffers from infectious diseases of the ears , paranasal sinuses or respiratory organs (pharynx, bronchi, lungs) several times a year could be suffering from a secondary immune deficiency. The tendency to susceptibility to infections also indicates a disturbed immune system . Another symptom is an unusually long healing time after infection or when infection occurs in unusual places.

A visit to the doctor will clarify whether the immune system is only weakened or whether there is an actual defect. If left untreated, long-term inflammation and even life-threatening illnesses are the result. If an immune deficiency is already known in a family, a doctor should be consulted as soon as the first symptoms appear. As a precaution, an examination for a primary immunodeficiency can already be determined in the womb via the blood of the embryo. Because the immune system is vital for the body to be able to deal with environmental influences in a healthy way.

If the immune deficiency is not recognized early enough, the possible consequences are constant illnesses, fungal infections in the oral mucosa, growth disorders and complications after vaccinations .

Diagnose

Human blood contains everything that makes a healthy immune system the essence of life. A blood test is therefore a reliable method for diagnosing an immune deficiency . In the laboratory, specialists can identify whether, which and how many of the immune cells are damaged. Destroyed antibodies are also quickly discovered here.

The diagnosis also includes a detailed survey of those affected. In this way, acquired or inherited causes of immunodeficiency can be better distinguished from one another. Whether it is a primary or secondary immune defect determines which treatment plan promises a promising improvement.

complications

As a rule, an immune deficiency can lead to many different complications and symptoms. The further course depends relatively heavily on the severity of the defect, so that a general prediction is not possible in most cases. In the worst case, however, the person affected can die from the immune deficiency if, for example, cancer cells are able to spread unabated. Those affected often suffer from infections and inflammation. Wound healing is also significantly slower and the time it takes for infections to heal is also significantly increased. The infections can also occur in very unusual and different places and significantly reduce the quality of life of those affected.

Furthermore, there are often inflammations in the ears or in the lungs . If the immune deficiency already occurs in children, this can lead to a delayed development and thus possibly to complaints in the adulthood of the patient. Whether the disease will lead to a reduced life expectancy cannot generally be predicted universally. Those affected are more often dependent on antibiotics and other treatments in their lives.

treatment and therapy

If a primary immunodeficiency has been diagnosed, those affected are dependent on taking replacement antibodies for life. The therapy is based on the administration of immunoglobins from healthy donors. The defense replacement is given by injections under the skin or in the vein. However, the foreign, healthy immune bodies do not protect the body quite as securely as self-produced immune cells. Therefore, those affected also protect themselves against the symptoms of a primary immune deficiency with suitable medication. This means that bacteria and fungi cannot have such a drastic effect on the body.

A few severe cases require bone marrow or stem cell transplants. The advantage of this form of therapy is that success leads to permanent healing. In very rare cases and only in the most severe cases, a congenital immune deficiency can now also be corrected with gene therapy. Intact DNA is exchanged for the originally defective genetic material.

An acquired immunodeficiency can be remedied by eliminating deficiencies or by making favorable changes in living conditions. Psychological care, vitamin supplements and the use of suitable medication support the improvement of the symptoms. If there is an underlying disease as the cause of the secondary immune deficiency, the function of the immune system is strengthened again by healing it.

prevention

Early warning systems help to prevent an immune defect. If cases of immunodeficiency are known in the family, this can already be addressed during pregnancy . Of course, the risk of infection must be minimized parallel to the therapy in both primary and secondary immunodeficiency.Basically, the immune system stays healthy if healthy eating habits , enough exercise outdoors, little stress and enough sleep are part of normal everyday life. Even if there is already a weakening, such changes have a positive effect on the immune system, up to and including complete healing.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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