Human Immune System

Table of Contents

Introduction1

The Human Immune System1

The Role of the Human Immune System2

Bodies Belonging to the Immune System3

Symptoms of Weak Immune System4

Disorders of Immune System4

Auto Immune Diseases4

Immunodeficiency7

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)8

Treatment Therapies10

Food and Sleep10

Massage Therapy11

Reiki11

Yoga12

Homeopathy13

Conclusions13

References14

Human Immune System

Introduction

Immunity is one of the most important aspect of stable human body functioning. The principle of operation of protective mechanisms is the recognition, treatment and elimination of foreign bodies.

The immune system is subsystem existing in vertebrates unifying organs and tissues which protect the body from disease by identifying and destroying tumor cells and pathogens. The immune system recognizes a wide variety of agents from viruses to parasitic worms and distinguishes them from bimolecular cells. Recognition of pathogens is complicated by their adaptation and evolutionary development of new methods of successful infection of the host. The ultimate goal of the immune system is to destroy the immune system of a foreign agent which may be a pathogen, a foreign body, a toxic substance or degenerated cells of the organism.

The Human Immune System

Immune system is the security system of our body. Immune system basically comprises of tissues, cells and organs. These tissues and cells protect the body from germs. Roizen accentuates that our immune system is just like an antivirus that protects our computers from viruses. Similarly, immune system of our body protects the body from germs and bacteria that attack our body and try to damage different functions of our body (Roizen, 2005). Our immune system acts like a protective layer that restricts germs and bacteria to enter in our body and to cause its harms. But as we age, the ability of our immune system to fight these germs weakens and eventually it makes us more vulnerable to different diseases

The human immune system can distinguish "self" from "non-self". It ensures the defense mechanisms of the body counters the various attacks, to protect the integrity of the "self" with the immune response. The human immune system is essential to our survival in a world that is full of potentially dangerous microbes that are susceptible to serious infections endangering life. The human immune system has two levels of immunity; specific and nonspecific. Non-specific immunity, also called innate immunity, protects the human body against foreign bodies that are seen as harmful. It can attack germs as small as viruses and bacteria as well as larger organisms such as worms. Collectively, these organisms are called pathogens causing disease in the body (Parham, 2005).

Animals as well as humans have innate immune defenses against common pathogens; the first lines of defense include external barriers like the skin and mucous membranes. When pathogens penetrate the outer barriers, for example, through an incision in the skin, or when inhaled and enter the lungs, can cause serious damage. Some white blood cells (phagocytes) fight pathogens that breach the outer defenses; a phagocyte engulfs a pathogen, absorbs and neutralizes it. Scientists do not know very well the characteristics of the optimal immune response (Parham, 2005). However, they know that the immune system is ...