Immune System Deficiency

Dysfunction of the Immune System affects about 65 million Americans. These dysfunctions manifest themselves in disorders such as Chronic Allergies and Respiratory problems, Arthritis, Diabetes, Lupus Erythematosus and Chronic Viral infections to name a few.

Our skin and mucus membranes are sometimes breached by viruses. When this occurs, specialized cells of the immune cite engulf the invaders or neutralize them with "antibody" chemicals. The immune system retains a profile of the invaders for future rapid response, enabling the body to develop immunity to certain diseases. If the immune response is overactive, it may be triggered by harmless substances, resulting in allergies. Auto-immune diseases occur when the immune system turns against the normal tissues of the body.

The bone marrow, thymus gland, spleen, and lymph nodes are the major elements of the immune system. They produce several types of white blood cells, including lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes produce antibodies to neutralize dangerous organisms at the prompting of other cells, called "helper T-cells", and stop producing antibodies when "suppressor T-cells" signal them to do so.

Other lymphocytes, called "killer T-cells" or "natural killer cells," attack tumors and viruses. Lymphocytes recognize organisms that have invaded in the past, which helps them mobilize very quickly, but if an unfamiliar bacterium or virus appears, it may take a few days to produce antibodies. Swollen glands, a symptom of various illness, are caused by white blood cells incubating a supply of antibodies in the lymph nodes. Phagocytes, another type of white blood cell, are activated by injury or infection. Drawn into the injured area by histamine, the cells devour microbes and debris.

Several factors can interfere with the orchestration of the immune system:

	In good health, the helper and supressor T-cells are in balance, so that, the antibodies are produced only when needed. If supressor cells dominate, however, the system may become "immunodeficient," or weakened. This may be due to an inherited condition or viral infection such as HIV.
	If helper T-cells dominate, the immune system become overactive, and its ability to differentiate between "self" and "invader" is lost. The immune system starts attacking body tissues, in what are generally known as autoimmune diseases. These include multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
	The immune system may become hypersensitive and react against normally harmless substances, such as dust, pollen, and certain foodstuffs, causing allergic disorders, such as asthma, hay fever, and food allergies.

Acupuncture has traditionally been used as a preventive medicine. Recent researches have verified that acupuncture can strengthen the immune system by increasing T-cell counts, which increases your resistance to bacterial and viral infections. This may be why it works on allergies and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Acupressure Given its ability to lower stress and induce relaxation, acupressure may play important role in supporting the immune system. Certain techniques help to stimulate lymph flow and eliminate wastes from the body.

Herbs: Many herbs increase the production and activity of macrophages—cells that the immune system sends to digest foreign invaders. Some herbs also stimulate the production of defense substances, such as interferon, which protect noninfected cells from viruses. Herbs can also enhance the production and function of T-cells, vital immune cells that kill viruses, fungi and certain bacteria. There is even a special type of T-cell called a natural killer that is in charge of destroying cells already infected with a virus or a cancer.

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