Thursday, November 28, 2013

Allergic disorder of the immune system

Allergic disorders are common, and their prevalence is increasing, particularly in urbanized Western societies. It is said that allergic disease are the most common disorders seen by primary care physician. 

Allergic disorders occur when the immune system overreacts to exposure to antigens in the environment. The substances that provoke such attacks are called allergens. The immune system forms IgE antibody on first exposure to the allergen.

According to the hygiene hypothesis proposed by David P. Strachan, allergic diseases are caused by inappropriate immunological response to harmless antigens driven by a type 2 helper T cells.

The immune system consists of a complex network of cells interacting to protect the body against invasion by foreign substances.

The immune system recognizes small molecules, called haptens that trigger an immune cascade. The immune response can cause symptoms such as swelling, watery eyes and sneezing and even a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

Allergic disorders include:
*Asthma
*Eczema
*Allergies

It is currently estimated that more than 50% of the population is atopic (the ability to mount an IgE immune response and to exhibit an immediate positive prick-puncture hypersensitivity response to common aeroallergens).
Allergic disorder of the immune system

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