Immune System Disorders

The human body has one of the most efficient and strongest self defense mechanisms known as the immune system. The immune system acts as a shield to protect the body against innumerable diseases. There are several types of bacteria, virus, disease inducing pathogens and other foreign bodies that can cause a plethora of diseases and disorders to the body. A weak immune system can be the cause for many infections.

Immune system disorders can be categorized according to the overactivity or underactivity of the immune system. As an under active immune system can lead to many infections, in the same way an overactive system also has its own dark side. Depending upon the activity of the immune system, the diseases of the immune system are classified as under.

Disorders of the Immune System: List

• Asthma
• Autoimmune diseases
• Allergies like food allergies, insect bites, medication and any other substances
• Anaphylaxis
• AIDS
• Angioedema
• Common variable immunodeficiency
• Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Hives
• Hyper-IgE syndrome
• Skin allergies
• Selective IgA deficiency
• Transplant rejection
• X-linked agammaglobulinemia
• X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency
• ZAP 70 deficiency

Given below is detailed information about some of the immune system diseases:

• AIDS: AIDS is a disease that is considered to be a life-threatening disease. HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be only diagnosed in the latter stages. An individual suffering from AIDS has very negligible chances of survival. The symptoms for this deadly disease can range from a mild common cold and flu to a more serious one like cancer or pneumonia.
• Asthma: Asthma is a chronic disorder of the lungs that is caused due to inflammation of the trachea (or air passage). Coughing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and wheezing are some of the symptoms of asthma.
• Allergies: Allergies can be caused due to various agents like mold spores, pollen grains, certain food items like peanuts, latex rubber, medication like penicillin, etc. An allergy can be defined as, 'an aggravated immune response to a normally harmless substance'. Though the symptoms of allergies don't have a serious consequence, if you are suffering from an allergy of any kind, it is advisable to consult a doctor in order to diagnose any underlying health problem.
• Anaphylaxis: This condition is an extreme, hypersensitive reaction to an allergen. Anaphylaxis can cause severe discomfort to the person suffering from it. To avoid any further complications, anaphylaxis must be diagnosed and treated in time.
• Hay Fever: Hay fever is also a type of allergy that is caused due to various factors like pollen, animal hair and molds. The individual suffering from hay fever will show symptoms like watery eyes, continuous sneezing and runny nose.
• Hives: Hives is caused due to an allergic reaction to certain foods or if the individual comes in contact with certain plants. Rashes which are itchy in nature began to appear on the skin. Other symptoms are swollen face, lips and tongue.
• Skin Allergies: Skin allergies are caused due to various factors and are characterized by small, red sores that are itchy and sometimes have a mild burning sensation. Skin allergies are aggravated when the immune system responds to certain substances.

There are many acquired and genetic immunodeficiency diseases, apart from the above mentioned immune system disorders that affect many people across the globe. So in order to prevent these immune system disorders, we must take special precautions and attempts to prevent the weakening of the immune system.