The human body is constantly exposed to external influences. Bacteria, viruses and fungi are everywhere we live, even if we cannot see them. Some of these cause disease. Our body protects itself against harmful microorganisms in various ways by the immune system. The branch of medicine that studies the immune system is called immunology. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about immunology… What diseases does immunology look at?
WHAT IS IMMUNOLOGY?
Immunology is a very important branch of medicine and biological sciences that deals with the study of the immune system. The immune system protects us from infections through various lines of defense. Many diseases can occur when the immune system develops significant defects or when the immune system is forced to create responses that damage host cells and tissues instead of protecting them
If the immune system is not functioning as it should, it can cause diseases such as autoimmunity, allergies and cancer. It is now becoming clear that immune responses contribute to the development of many common diseases not traditionally seen as immunological, including metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
Immunodeficiency diseases are caused by increased risks of infection and tumor formation and can be caused by gene mutation, lack of food, certain viruses such as HIV, or cancer treatment. Reactions of the immune system targeting its own molecules create autoimmunity, which leads to various problems for the tissues or organs involved.
WHAT DISEASES DOES IMMUNOLOGY LOOK AT?
Some immunology diseases can be listed as follows:
- Asthma
- Allergic rhinitis
- Chronic cough
- Drug allergy (analgesics, antibiotics, local/general anesthetics, chemotherapy drugs and other drugs)
- Insect allergies
- Food allergy (meat, milk, eggs, vegetables, fruits, seafood and other foods)
- Latex allergy
- Allergic eye diseases
- Grass allergy
- Joint inflammation
- Allergic skin diseases
- Anaphylaxis
- Urticaria
- Hereditary angioedema (complement system disorder due to congenital C1 inhibitor enzyme deficiency)
- Allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis
- Omalizumab
- Occupational allergic diseases
- Adult primary immunodeficiencies
- Diagnosis and treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome
- Immunotherapy (vaccine treatment for allergic rhinitis and bee allergies)