Swollen Eye on the Left, Here are the Causes and How to Treat It
The immune system is the body's defense system which consists of several components. This system plays a role in recognizing and fighting bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, as well as allergens and toxic substances. That way, the body will always be healthy and free from disease and infection.
Without a healthy and effective immune system, the body can become weak and more susceptible to various types of infections. Apart from that, disorders of the immune system can also cause various diseases, ranging from allergies, asthma, to autoimmune disorders.
Therefore, it is important to keep your immune system strong so that your body remains healthy and free from disease.
Immune System and Its Components
The immune system consists of many complex components. These components work together to protect the body from attacks by antigens, namely foreign objects that have the potential to cause disease when exposed to the body, for example pathogens. The following are some of the main components of the immune system:
1. White blood cells
One of the most important components in the immune system is white blood cells or leukocytes. These cells play a role in recognizing and attacking antigens.
Depending on the type, white blood cells have their own jobs, for example:
- Monocytes play a role in capturing germs, parasites and viruses
- Lymphocytes and neutrophils function to eradicate germs, parasites and viruses
- Basophils generally play a role in triggering inflammatory reactions
- Eosinophils function to attack parasites and cancer cells
These white blood cells are produced and stored in various body organs, such as the thymus, spleen, lymph glands and bone marrow. However, they will work throughout the body to ensure the body is free from attacks by disease-causing germs.
2. Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins that work specifically, namely attaching to antigens and destroying them. This protein is produced by white blood cells as a weapon to eradicate foreign objects that are considered dangerous to the body, such as germs, viruses, allergens, or vaccines.
When the body recognizes certain germs that have entered the body, more special antibodies will be produced to fight them. This makes the body more effective at eradicating these germs in the future, so that the risk of disease or infection due to exposure to these germs can be reduced.
3. Cytokines
Another no less important component of the immune system is cytokines. This component is a protein that plays a role in providing signals to other body cells when an immune response occurs.
Apart from that, cytokines also play a role in regulating inflammation that occurs when the body's immune system works against antigens, including germs, viruses or parasites.
4. Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes play an important role in detecting the presence of antigens, then sending white blood cells when a part of the body is attacked by the antigen. As an analogy, lymph nodes can be likened to a post or police station which will release white blood cells when the body is "defeated" by antigens.
Apart from that, lymph nodes also play an important role in filtering waste and cancer cells, then destroying them from the body. This gland is the size of a pea and is located in almost all parts of the body.
5. Spleen
The spleen is an organ located in the abdominal cavity, precisely under the left rib cage. This organ has many functions in the immune system, from filtering and destroying damaged blood cells to producing and storing white blood cells.
6. Bone marrow
Bone marrow is soft tissue found in several bones, such as the pelvis and thigh bones. This bone marrow functions to produce blood cells, including leukocytes which play an important role in the immune system.
The Immune System and How It Works
The immune system basically works by recognizing and fighting antigens. When an antigen enters the body, the immune system will respond and produce certain substances to destroy the antigen. This substance is called an antibody.
Antibodies are proteins that act as the main weapon of the immune system to protect the body from antigens. This protein will be produced by the immune system involving white blood cells and the lymphatic system. .
With antibodies that are able to work effectively, antigens will be destroyed and cannot cause infection or disease.
It should be noted that antibodies are designed to recognize antigens that they have fought against and will be in the body for some time. That way, if the antigen comes back, antibodies will be available to fight and eradicate the antigen.
However, the body's immune system cannot always work optimally. This defense system can weaken due to various things, such as aging, lack of nutrition, lack of rest, excessive stress, side effects of certain medications, and disease complications, for example HIV infection and uncontrolled diabetes.
Apart from that, the immune system can also experience several disorders. This can happen when the immune system is too weak or too active. This is what causes allergic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and sepsis. Therefore, it is important for you to maintain your body's immune system. You can do this quite simply, namely by adopting a healthy lifestyle. The following are tips you can do to maintain your immune system: After knowing some information about the immune system and how important this defense system is for the body, it is not difficult for you to increase your awareness of maintaining your immune system by living a healthy lifestyle. If you have other questions about the immune system, don't hesitate to consult them online via Chat with a Doctor. That way, you will get the right information according to what you need.
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