Allergies And Autoimmune Diseases WHEN IMMUNITY GOES BAD Allergies And Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune Disorder An autoimmune disorder is a disorder in which the body’s immune system malfunctions and causes the body to attack itself (Mackay & Rose, 2014). The immune system defends the human body against the perceived dangerous or foreign substances such as parasites, certain cancer cells, transplanted tissues and organs Antigens are substances that can stimulate immune system response The human cells also has antigens, but usually the human immune system reacts only to foreign or dangerous antigens, not from the persons tissues. However, sometimes the human system malfunctions and interprets the body’s own organs and tissues as foreign producing immune cells or autoantibodies that attack and target particular tissues or cells of the body (Mackay & Rose, 2014). The response is referred to as autoimmune reaction, and it results to inflammation and eventually damage of the tissues.

Allergies An allergy is a reaction to substances or an immune response to substances that are not harmful (NIH 2015). Both environment and genes play in allergies. If both parents are allergic, there is high probability that their children may be allergic The common allergens include dust, drugs, insect venom, food, mould, pollen, pet or other animal dander Additionally, some persons have reactions that allergic like to cold and hot temperatures, other environmental triggers, sunlight, sometimes and friction The immune system usually protects the body against substances that are harmful such as viruses and bacteria. Moreover, it reacts to substances that are foreign, also referred to as allergens. In most instances, allergens are harmless and most people have no problem with them (NIH 2015). Allergic persons have oversensitive immune response. Therefore, when it recognizes an allergen, their immune system responds by releasing a chemical called histamines, causing allergy symptoms.

Ways to Avoid Developing Allergies Breastfeeding babies for 4-6 months Breastfeeding helps in decreasing or preventing allergies. However, changing the diet of the mother while breastfeeding or during pregnancy does not help in preventing allergies Being exposed to certain allergens in the first year after birth may prevent some allergies, such as cat dander and dust mites (NIH 2015).

Reference NIH. 2015. Allergies: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000812.htm. [Accessed 14 February 2015]. Mackay, I. R., & Rose, N. R. (2014). The autoimmune diseases. Amsterdam, Elsevier/Academic Press. Accessed from https://www.clinicalkey.com/dura/browse/bookChapter/3-s2.0- C20090645864.