The body can be a well-oiled machine under the right circumstances. One of the criteria for a healthy body is a strong immune system. A healthy immune system allows the body to fight infections and ultimately increase the quality of life. There are measures that support a sound immune system.
Warning
The immune system can break down or become weak for a variety of reasons. The lack of sleep and continuous fatigue will lead to problems with the immune system. Diets that lack the daily allowance of vitamins affect the immune system. Stress is a huge factor when it comes to building a better immune system. Continuous stress weakens the body's ability to fight off bacteria.
Benefits
Healthy immune systems can produce many types of positive affects. People who lead healthy lifestyles that encourage strong immune systems have fewer sick days at work. Pathogens that attack the immune system are found everywhere from phones to shopping cart handles. Starting out with a fit immune system along with practicing universal precautions with hand cleansing will decrease the chance of attacks to the body's immune system.
History
Early scientists saw what was later called the immune system as early as 400 BC. When people became ill, they could subsequently treat someone with the same illness without becoming sick. Later, Louis Pasteur was a pioneer in treating diseases through the creation of vaccines.
Types
The immune system can break down in several ways. An immunodeficiency occurs when the immune system loses the ability to fight pathogens. This is largely caused by the decrease in killer T cells. Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system loses the ability to differentiate between good and bad cells. This leads to the body attacking itself. Autoimmunity manifests itself in diseases like type I diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. When the immune system has a hypersensitivity, it overreacts to certain stimuli. This takes the form of allergies.
Expert Insight
Paul Ehrlich made significant discoveries in the area of immunology. His study led to a Nobel Prize and is the foundation for the basic understanding of cellular makeup that exists today. Ehrlich once made the controversial statement in 1970 that, "In ten years all important animal life in the sea will be extinct. Large areas of coastline will have to be evacuated because of the stench of dead fish." Much of what is known about immunology has only occurred within the 19th century with Ehrlich and Elie Metchnikoff.
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