{"id":183,"date":"2023-01-23T18:39:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T23:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/rebootyourresiliencywithselfcare\/?post_type=chapter&p=183"},"modified":"2023-11-01T18:56:19","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T22:56:19","slug":"immune-system-deficiencies","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/rebootyourresiliencywithselfcare\/chapter\/immune-system-deficiencies\/","title":{"raw":"Immune System Deficiencies","rendered":"Immune System Deficiencies"},"content":{"raw":"Autoimmune Disorders<\/span><\/strong>\r\n\r\nAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system turns against you, attacking and destroying healthy body tissue.\u00a0Autoimmune diseases can cause tissue damage<\/span>,\u00a0organ damage<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0changes in organ function<\/span>.[footnote]Janeway, C.A. Jr., Travers, P., Walport, M., et al. (2001). Autoimmune responses are directed against self antigens. Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. New York: Garland Science. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK27155\/[\/footnote] The most commonly affected organs and tissues are the red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands, muscles, joints and skin.[footnote]Watson, S. (2022). What is an autoimmune disease? Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/autoimmune-disorders[\/footnote] While pain and inflammation in the affected area are the most common symptoms, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, and fatigue are also common.[footnote]Watson, S. (2022). What is an autoimmune disease? Symptoms. Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/autoimmune-disorders#symptoms[\/footnote]\r\n
There are more than 100 conditions that are the result of an overactive immune system, a few of the most common ones being Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriasis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Graves Disease and Celiac Disease. [footnote]Autoimmune Association. (2023). AutoImmune Disease List. Retrieved from: https:\/\/autoimmune.org\/disease-information\/[\/footnote]<\/div>\r\nAutoimmune diseases are classified into two categories: systemic autoimmune disease and localized autoimmune disease.\u00a0\u00a0Systemic autoimmune diseases<\/strong> can affect several organ systems in the body. For example, while many people believe that\u00a0Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/span>\u00a0only permanently destroys joints, it actually also affects the skin, the blood, the lungs, the eyes, the kidneys, and the heart.[footnote]Healthline Editorial Team. (2023). Everything you want to know about Rheumatoid Arthritis. Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/rheumatoid-arthritis#symptoms[\/footnote] Lupus<\/span> is a disease that mimics many other illnesses, affecting different tissues and organs such as the kidneys, heart, lungs, and joints, thus making diagnosis difficult.[footnote]Herndon, J. (2020). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/systemic-lupus-erythematosus[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nAs the name suggests,\u00a0localized autoimmune diseases<\/strong> specifically affect one organ or a localized site in the body. One such disease is\u00a0Multiple Sclerosis<\/span>, where the protectant myelin sheath surrounding the nerve cells get damaged. This causes problems in the conduction of nerve impulses in central nervous system, leading to potential mobility issues, vision loss, numbness, and other neurological symptoms.[footnote]Pietrangelo, A. (2022). Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/multiple-sclerosis[\/footnote]\u00a0 One other example of a localized autoimmune disease that affects large numbers of people is\u00a0Type 1 Diabetes<\/span>. This autoimmune disease destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, causing the person to have to take insulin for the rest of their lives, in addition to all of the microvascular and macrovascular complications that come with high blood sugars.[footnote]Basina, M. (2021). What is Type 1 Diabetes? Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/type-1-diabetes-causes-symtoms-treatments[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nIt's unknown why the immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking healthy tissues; however, it is thought to be a combination of a person\u2019s genetics and something in the environment that triggers those genes, such as bacteria, stress, diet, hormonal influences, chemical toxicity and drugs.[footnote]Janeway, C.A. Jr., Travers, P., Walport, M., et al. (2001). Autoimmune responses are directed against self antigens. Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. New York: Garland Science. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK27155\/\/[\/footnote] In fact, the onset of an autoimmune disorder is frequently preceded by a bacterial or viral infection, most notably the Epstein Barr Virus.[footnote]Horrom, T. (2018). Epstein-Barr virus could be cause of multiple autoimmune disorders. US Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Research and Development. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.research.va.gov\/currents\/0418-Epstein-Barr-virus-could-be-cause-of-multiple-autoimmune-disorders.cfm[\/footnote] Sometimes an antigen will have a similarity to healthy tissue and the immune system confuses the two, or white blood cells malfunction.[footnote]Gravano, D., Hoyer, K. (2013). Promotion and prevention of autoimmune disease by CD8 T cells.Journal of Autoimmunity 45, 68-79. Retrieved from:https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0896841113000784[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nImmunodeficiency Disorders<\/strong>\r\n\r\nImmunodeficiency disorders can be likened to an underactive immune system and consist of a wide range of health issues that cause the immune system to not work effectively, leading to increased susceptibility to infections. There are 2 classifications of immunodeficiencies: primary and secondary.\r\n\r\nPrimary<\/strong> immunodeficiency disorders are conditions that are inherited and are also called [pb_glossary id=\"554\"]congenital[\/pb_glossary] immunodeficiencies. Complications can range from very mild to severe, leading to chronic illness, permanent organ damage or even death.[footnote]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Primary Immunodeficiency. Genomics and Precision Health. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/genomics\/disease\/primary_immunodeficiency.htm[\/footnote] Children typically get sick faster and longer from the usual childhood infections, and are also susceptible to infection from normally harmless organisms (opportunistic infections).[footnote]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Primary Immunodeficiency. Genomics and Precision Health. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/genomics\/disease\/primary_immunodeficiency.htm[\/footnote] Often a simple cold will lead to repeated severe bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis and ear infections.[footnote]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Primary Immunodeficiency. Genomics and Precision Health. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/genomics\/disease\/primary_immunodeficiency.htm[\/footnote] Although these genetic disorders are present at birth, sometimes the symptoms may not begin until the teenage years or adulthood.[footnote]Litzman, J. (2019). Primary immunodeficiencies in adults. Prim\u00e1rn\u00ed imunodeficience u\u00a0dosp\u011bl\u00fdch.\u00a0Vnitrni lekarstvi<\/em>,\u00a065<\/em>(2), 109\u2013116.[\/footnote] Primary immunodeficiencies are not curable, but can be managed with prevention and treatments.\r\n\r\nSecondary<\/strong> immunodeficiencies are more common than primary immunodeficiencies. They are acquired as the result of diseases such as HIV\/AIDS, or environmental factors that weaken the immune system such as malnutrition or pharmaceutical drugs or their side effects (such as chemotherapy).[footnote]British Society for Immunology. (2017). Immunodeficiency. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.immunology.org\/policy-and-public-affairs\/briefings-and-position-statements\/immunodeficiency[\/footnote]\u00a0 Basically anything that weakens your immune system can lead to a secondary immunodeficiency disorder. Management of the underlying condition can ameliorate or minimize immunodeficiency. \u00a0Decreasing stress, eating healthy and sleeping well are all imperative to keep a healthy immune system. [footnote]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Sleep and the Immune System. NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours. Retrieved from:https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/niosh\/work-hour-training-for-nurses\/longhours\/mod2\/05.html[\/footnote] These strategies and more are discussed in depth in the Resiliency and Self-Care<\/a> section, but read on for specific tips on Rebooting your Immune System.","rendered":"

Autoimmune Disorders<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system turns against you, attacking and destroying healthy body tissue.\u00a0Autoimmune diseases can cause tissue damage<\/span>,\u00a0organ damage<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0changes in organ function<\/span>.[1]<\/sup><\/a> The most commonly affected organs and tissues are the red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands, muscles, joints and skin.[2]<\/sup><\/a> While pain and inflammation in the affected area are the most common symptoms, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, and fatigue are also common.[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

There are more than 100 conditions that are the result of an overactive immune system, a few of the most common ones being Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriasis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Graves Disease and Celiac Disease. [4]<\/sup><\/a><\/div>\n

Autoimmune diseases are classified into two categories: systemic autoimmune disease and localized autoimmune disease.\u00a0\u00a0Systemic autoimmune diseases<\/strong> can affect several organ systems in the body. For example, while many people believe that\u00a0Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/span>\u00a0only permanently destroys joints, it actually also affects the skin, the blood, the lungs, the eyes, the kidneys, and the heart.[5]<\/sup><\/a> Lupus<\/span> is a disease that mimics many other illnesses, affecting different tissues and organs such as the kidneys, heart, lungs, and joints, thus making diagnosis difficult.[6]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

As the name suggests,\u00a0localized autoimmune diseases<\/strong> specifically affect one organ or a localized site in the body. One such disease is\u00a0Multiple Sclerosis<\/span>, where the protectant myelin sheath surrounding the nerve cells get damaged. This causes problems in the conduction of nerve impulses in central nervous system, leading to potential mobility issues, vision loss, numbness, and other neurological symptoms.[7]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 One other example of a localized autoimmune disease that affects large numbers of people is\u00a0Type 1 Diabetes<\/span>. This autoimmune disease destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, causing the person to have to take insulin for the rest of their lives, in addition to all of the microvascular and macrovascular complications that come with high blood sugars.[8]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

It’s unknown why the immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking healthy tissues; however, it is thought to be a combination of a person\u2019s genetics and something in the environment that triggers those genes, such as bacteria, stress, diet, hormonal influences, chemical toxicity and drugs.[9]<\/sup><\/a> In fact, the onset of an autoimmune disorder is frequently preceded by a bacterial or viral infection, most notably the Epstein Barr Virus.[10]<\/sup><\/a> Sometimes an antigen will have a similarity to healthy tissue and the immune system confuses the two, or white blood cells malfunction.[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Immunodeficiency Disorders<\/strong><\/p>\n

Immunodeficiency disorders can be likened to an underactive immune system and consist of a wide range of health issues that cause the immune system to not work effectively, leading to increased susceptibility to infections. There are 2 classifications of immunodeficiencies: primary and secondary.<\/p>\n

Primary<\/strong> immunodeficiency disorders are conditions that are inherited and are also called congenital<\/a> immunodeficiencies. Complications can range from very mild to severe, leading to chronic illness, permanent organ damage or even death.[12]<\/sup><\/a> Children typically get sick faster and longer from the usual childhood infections, and are also susceptible to infection from normally harmless organisms (opportunistic infections).[13]<\/sup><\/a> Often a simple cold will lead to repeated severe bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis and ear infections.[14]<\/sup><\/a> Although these genetic disorders are present at birth, sometimes the symptoms may not begin until the teenage years or adulthood.[15]<\/sup><\/a> Primary immunodeficiencies are not curable, but can be managed with prevention and treatments.<\/p>\n

Secondary<\/strong> immunodeficiencies are more common than primary immunodeficiencies. They are acquired as the result of diseases such as HIV\/AIDS, or environmental factors that weaken the immune system such as malnutrition or pharmaceutical drugs or their side effects (such as chemotherapy).[16]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Basically anything that weakens your immune system can lead to a secondary immunodeficiency disorder. Management of the underlying condition can ameliorate or minimize immunodeficiency. \u00a0Decreasing stress, eating healthy and sleeping well are all imperative to keep a healthy immune system. [17]<\/sup><\/a> These strategies and more are discussed in depth in the Resiliency and Self-Care<\/a> section, but read on for specific tips on Rebooting your Immune System.<\/p>\n

  1. Janeway, C.A. Jr., Travers, P., Walport, M., et al. (2001). Autoimmune responses are directed against self antigens. Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. New York: Garland Science. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK27155\/ ↵<\/a><\/li>
  2. Watson, S. (2022). What is an autoimmune disease? Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/autoimmune-disorders ↵<\/a><\/li>
  3. Watson, S. (2022). What is an autoimmune disease? Symptoms. Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/autoimmune-disorders#symptoms ↵<\/a><\/li>
  4. Autoimmune Association. (2023). AutoImmune Disease List. Retrieved from: https:\/\/autoimmune.org\/disease-information\/ ↵<\/a><\/li>
  5. Healthline Editorial Team. (2023). Everything you want to know about Rheumatoid Arthritis. Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/rheumatoid-arthritis#symptoms ↵<\/a><\/li>
  6. Herndon, J. (2020). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/systemic-lupus-erythematosus ↵<\/a><\/li>
  7. Pietrangelo, A. (2022). Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/multiple-sclerosis ↵<\/a><\/li>
  8. Basina, M. (2021). What is Type 1 Diabetes? Healthline. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/type-1-diabetes-causes-symtoms-treatments ↵<\/a><\/li>
  9. Janeway, C.A. Jr., Travers, P., Walport, M., et al. (2001). Autoimmune responses are directed against self antigens. Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. New York: Garland Science. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK27155\/\/ ↵<\/a><\/li>
  10. Horrom, T. (2018). Epstein-Barr virus could be cause of multiple autoimmune disorders. US Department of Veterans Affairs. Office of Research and Development. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.research.va.gov\/currents\/0418-Epstein-Barr-virus-could-be-cause-of-multiple-autoimmune-disorders.cfm ↵<\/a><\/li>
  11. Gravano, D., Hoyer, K. (2013). Promotion and prevention of autoimmune disease by CD8 T cells.Journal of Autoimmunity 45, 68-79. Retrieved from:https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0896841113000784 ↵<\/a><\/li>
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Primary Immunodeficiency. Genomics and Precision Health. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/genomics\/disease\/primary_immunodeficiency.htm ↵<\/a><\/li>
  13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Primary Immunodeficiency. Genomics and Precision Health. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/genomics\/disease\/primary_immunodeficiency.htm ↵<\/a><\/li>
  14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Primary Immunodeficiency. Genomics and Precision Health. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/genomics\/disease\/primary_immunodeficiency.htm ↵<\/a><\/li>
  15. Litzman, J. (2019). Primary immunodeficiencies in adults. Prim\u00e1rn\u00ed imunodeficience u\u00a0dosp\u011bl\u00fdch.\u00a0Vnitrni lekarstvi<\/em>,\u00a065<\/em>(2), 109\u2013116. ↵<\/a><\/li>
  16. British Society for Immunology. (2017). Immunodeficiency. Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.immunology.org\/policy-and-public-affairs\/briefings-and-position-statements\/immunodeficiency ↵<\/a><\/li>
  17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Sleep and the Immune System. NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours. Retrieved from:https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/niosh\/work-hour-training-for-nurses\/longhours\/mod2\/05.html ↵<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>
    definition<\/span>