What is the Immune System?
Immune system; It is divided into two groups as natural and acquired immunity. Innate immunity covers the general defense response seen at the points where harmful organisms and foreign substances from the environment come into contact with the body for the first time. In this sense, skin layers, tear secretion, acidic content of the stomach, salivary secretion and hair follicles in the nasal cavity, which are the tissues most exposed to external factors in our body; It is among the elements that make up the natural immunity. In addition, leukocytes (white blood cells) in the neutrophil and macrophage group in the blood and tissues, complement proteins in the blood, cytokines that increase in the amount in the blood during inflammation and fever response resulting in an increase in body temperature. Physiological mechanisms are also considered as a part of innate immunity. Acquired immunity refers to the demonstration of a learned and strong immune response against certain foreign organisms as a result of exposure of the body to external factors more than once. In this sense, together with B and T lymphocytes found in blood and tissues, proteins with antibody properties are specialized against certain foreign substances and organisms, resulting in a powerful response to eliminate the threat posed by these substances. Acquired immunity is a condition associated with immunity that develops as a result of vaccination, and diseases that provide permanent immunity such as chickenpox and measles in childhood. In addition to these two types of immunity, the lymphatic system, lymph nodes, bone marrow, Organs such as the liver, spleen and thymus gland are also important parts of the immune system.
What Causes Weakened Immune System?
The immune system is basically responsible for protecting the body against all kinds of foreign substances and organisms that may threaten body integrity, physiology and health. In this sense; It is among the duties of the immune system to show an inflammatory reaction against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites and to eliminate situations that are perceived as a threat to the body. At the same time, the immune system is responsible for the destruction of cancer cells, which can divide uncontrollably and form tumor masses due to various reasons. Therefore, in cases where the immune system is suppressed for any reason, various infectious diseases can be seen in the body, as well as the spread of malignant masses as a result of uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells in different tissues. Every individual encounters organisms that are harmful or foreign to the body many times during the day. For example, millions of pathogens enter the body through respiration or nutrition. Since the immune system involved in such cases detects and eliminates harmful factors, no health problems arise due to these pathogens. However, in cases of immunodeficiency (immune system deficiency), various organisms that will not cause disease in healthy people can cause some life-threatening diseases. Different conditions that may lead to weakening of the immune system can be listed as follows: Use of immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids Infection that weakens the immune system such as AIDS Diseases Factors damaging immune system cells such as radiotherapy Diseases of organs such as bone marrow where the immune system is produced (for example, leukemia) Surgical removal of organs within the immune system such as spleen Vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to inadequate or unbalanced nutrition Some diseases such as diabetes may cause various disruptions in immune system functions. chronic diseases Intense physical or emotional stress Inadequate and/or poor quality sleepSmoking, alcohol or substance useObesity Sedentary lifestyle Immune some genetic syndromes associated with the nervous system