The immune system is the system of specialised cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences. (Though in a broad sense, almost every organ has a protective function - for example, the tight seal of the skin or the acidic environment of the stomach.) When the immune system is functioning properly, it protects the body against bacteria and viral infections, destroying cancer cells and foreign substances. If the immune system weakens, its ability to defend the body also weakens, allowing pathogens, includin ...

Including:

• Immune system - Structure
• Immune system - Innate immune system
• Immune system - Adaptive immune system
• Immune system - Intersections between systems
• Immune system - Disorders of the human immune system
• Immune system - Other factors that affect immune response
• Immune system - Pharmacology

Read more here: » Immune system: Encyclopedia - Immune system

See also:

Immune system, Immune system - Structure, Immune system - Innate immune system, Immune system - Adaptive immune system, Immune system - Intersections between systems, Immune system - Disorders of the human immune system, Immune system - Other factors that affect immune response, Immune system - Pharmacology

Read more here: » Immune system: Encyclopedia II - Immune system - Pharmacology

Most multicellular organisms possess an "innate immune system", generally comprising a set of germ-line encoded receptors to pathogens, that does not change during the lifetime of the organism. Adaptive immunity, in which the responses to pathogens change and develop during the lifetime of an individual, seems to have appeared somewhat abruptly in evolutionary time, with the appearance of ch ...

See also:

Immune system, Immune system - Structure, Immune system - Innate immune system, Immune system - Adaptive immune system, Immune system - Intersections between systems, Immune system - Disorders of the human immune system, Immune system - Other factors that affect immune response, Immune system - Pharmacology

Read more here: » Immune system: Encyclopedia II - Immune system - Structure

Meditation is the natural process of withdrawing attention from environmental, physical, and mental processes and consciously directing it inward to a chosen focus of attention. But not many people know how to practice meditation for personal benefit and spiritual growth.

The beneficial side-effects of regular meditation practice include stress reduction, strengthening of the body's immune system, more orderly thinking, improvement in powers of concentration, and a slowing of the biological ageing process. For these reasons, meditation practice is recommended by an increasing number of doctors as a harmless way for patient-clients to be more responsible for their own total well-being.

(See also: Effects of Meditation, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The common cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. Colds are considered to be the immune system's response to viral attack.

Yoga not only helps prevent cold but improves a person's health and strengthens the immune system thus lessening susceptibility to colds.

If ling mudra is practised daily, along with a proper practise of Kapalbhati Pranayan then various incurable disease of the chest can be healed.

Instructions and benefits for:

-       Kapal Bhati Paranayam or Bhastrika

-       Ling Mudra along with Pran Mudra

(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Clinical immunology is the study of diseases caused by the immune system and diseases of the immune system from a medical perspective. Many diseases caused by the immune system fall into two broad categories: immunodeficiency, in which parts of the immune system fail to provide an adequate response (examples include chronic granulomatous disease), and autoimmunity, in which the immune system attacks its own antigens (examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's disease and myasthenia gravis). ...

Read more here: » Clinical immunology: Encyclopedia - Clinical immunology

See also Immune system Other related archivesImmune system, immunity

Read more here: » Immunity: Encyclopedia - Immunity

Zinc (from German zink) is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. Zinc - Notable characteristics. Zinc is a moderately reactive metal that will combine with oxygen and other non-metals, and will react with dilute acids to release hydrogen. The one common oxidation state of zinc is +2. Zinc - Applications. Zinc is the fourth most common metal in use, trailing only iron, aluminium, and copper in annual production. ...

Including:

• Zinc - Notable characteristics
• Zinc - Applications
• Zinc - Popular misconceptions
• Zinc - History
• Zinc - Biological role
• Zinc - Food Sources
• Zinc - Zinc Deficiency
• Zinc - Zinc Toxicity
• Zinc - Psoriasis
• Zinc - Immune System
• Zinc - Abundance
• Zinc - Zinc production
• Zinc - Compounds
• Zinc - Isotopes
• Zinc - Precautions

Read more here: » Zinc: Encyclopedia - Zinc

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength shorter than that of the visible region, but longer than that of soft X-rays. It can be subdivided into near UV (380–200 nm wavelength), far or vacuum UV (200–10 nm; abbrev. FUV or VUV), and extreme UV (1–31 nm; abbrev. EUV or XUV). When considering the effect of UV radiation on human health and the environment, the range of UV wavelengths is often subdivided into UVA (380–315 nm), also called Long Wave or " ...

Including:

• Ultraviolet - Discovery
• Ultraviolet - Health concerns and protection
• Ultraviolet - Skin
• Ultraviolet - Eye
• Ultraviolet - Immune system
• Ultraviolet - Beneficial effects
• Ultraviolet - Uses
• Ultraviolet - Black lights
• Ultraviolet - Fluorescent lamps
• Ultraviolet - Pest control
• Ultraviolet - Spectrophotometry
• Ultraviolet - Astronomy
• Ultraviolet - Analyzing minerals
• Ultraviolet - Photolithography
• Ultraviolet - Checking electrical insulation
• Ultraviolet - Sterilization
• Ultraviolet - Disinfecting drinking water
• Ultraviolet - Food Processing
• Ultraviolet - Fire detection
• Ultraviolet - Curing of adhesives and coatings
• Ultraviolet - Deterring Substance Abuse in Public Restrooms
• Ultraviolet - External link

Read more here: » Ultraviolet: Encyclopedia - Ultraviolet

Cancer Immunotherapy is the use of the immune system to reject cancer. The main premise is stimulating the patient's immune system to attack the malignant tumor cells that are responsible for the disease. This can be either through immunization of the patient, in which case the patient's own immune system is trained to recognize tumor cells as targets to be destroyed, or through the administration of therapeutic antibodies as drugs, in which case the patient's immune system is recr ...

Read more here: » Cancer immunotherapy: Encyclopedia - Cancer immunotherapy

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) and various other names, is a syndrome of unknown and possibly multiple etiology, affecting the central nervous system (CNS), immune, and many other systems and organs. Most definitions other than the 1991 UK "Oxford", require a number of features, the most common being severe mental and physical depletion, which according to the 1994 Fukuda definition is "unrelieved by rest", and is usually made worse by even trivial exertion (controver ...

Including:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome - History
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia - Chronic fatigue syndrome

Cytokines are small protein molecules that regulate communication among immune system cells and between immune cells and those of other tissue types. These chemicals are actively secreted by immune cells as well as other cell types in response to external stimuli. Cytokines that are produced by immune cells form a subset known as lymphokines. Cytokine - Effects. Cytokines mediate many important physiological functions including growth, development, wound healing and immune response. They may affect local ti ...

Including:

• Cytokine - Effects
• Cytokine - Types
• Cytokine - Characteristics
• Cytokine - History
• Cytokine - Links

Read more here: » Cytokine: Encyclopedia - Cytokine

Because the worldwide spread of AIDS has had such a tragic effect on millions of people worldwide, a number of misconceptions have arisen surrounding the disease. Below is a list and explanation of some common misconceptions and their rebuttals. Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - Sexual intercourse with a virgin will cure AIDS. Virgin cleansing is a myth that has occurred since at least the 16th century, when Europeans believed that they could rid themselves of a sexually transmitted disease by transferrin ...

Including:

• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - Sexual intercourse with a virgin will cure AIDS
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV was introduced to North America by a Canadian flight attendant
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV is transmitted by mosquitoes
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV cannot be transmitted through oral sex
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - You can get AIDS through casual contact with an HIV infected individual
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV can only infect gay men and drug users
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - An HIV-infected mother cannot have children
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - AIDS can be cured
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - The AIDS epidemic began when sailors/black men had sexual intercourse with African monkeys transmitting the virus to modern humans
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - AIDS was created by the CIA
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV is the same as AIDS
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV antibody testing is unreliable
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - There is no AIDS in Africa. AIDS is nothing more than a new name for old diseases
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV cannot be the cause of AIDS because researchers are unable to explain precisely how HIV destroys the immune system
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - AZT and other antiretroviral drugs not HIV cause AIDS
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - Behavioral factors such as recreational drug use and multiple sexual partners not HIV account for AIDS
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - AIDS among transfusion recipients is due to underlying diseases that necessitated the transfusion rather than to HIV
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - High usage of clotting factor concentrate not HIV leads to CD4+ T-cell depletion and AIDS in hemophiliacs
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - The distribution of AIDS cases casts doubt on HIV as the cause. Viruses are not gender-specific yet only a small proportion of AIDS cases are among women
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV cannot be the cause of AIDS because the body develops a vigorous antibody response to the virus
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - Only a small number of CD4+ T cells are infected by HIV not enough to damage the immune system
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV is not the cause of AIDS because many individuals with HIV have not developed AIDS
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - HIV is not the cause of AIDS because some people have symptoms associated with AIDS but are not infected with HIV
• Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS - The spectrum of AIDS-related infections seen in different populations proves that AIDS is actually many diseases not caused by HIV

Read more here: » Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS: Encyclopedia - Common misconceptions about HIV and AIDS

Anergy is a theory in immunobiology in which there is a lack of reaction by the body's defence mechanisms when foreign substances come into contact with the body. Often this term is used to indicate that the immune system is unable to mount a normal immune response. At the cellular level, the term "anergy" defines the inability of an immune cell to mount a complete response against its target. In the immune system circulating cells called lymphocytes form an primary army that defends the body against pathogenic viruses, bacteri ...

Read more here: » Anergy: Encyclopedia - Anergy

An autoantibody is a protein manufactured by the immune system that is directed against one or more of the host's own proteins. Many autoimmune diseases in humans, most notably lupus erythematosus, are caused by such autoantibodies. See antibody. Other related archivesantibody, autoimmune diseases, immune system, lupus erythematosus, protein

Read more here: » Autoantibody: Encyclopedia - Autoantibody

mAb as an abbreviation refers to: Monoclonal antibody, a molecular component of the vertebrate immune system and a type of biotechnology reagent and medical therapeutic Category: Ambiguous three-letter acronyms Other related archivesAmbiguous three-letter acronyms, Mab, Monoclonal antibody, Queen Mab, Uranus

Read more here: » Mab: Encyclopedia - Mab

Bioenergetics, loosely defined, is the study of energy investment and flow through living systems. This broad definition includes the study of thousands of different processes ranging from cellular respiration and the production of ATP, to the study of evolutionary costs accompanying the development of a particular trait, such as the immune system. One question this area of science seeks to answer is whether protective benefit of a particul ...

Read more here: » Bioenergetics: Encyclopedia - Bioenergetics

In human anatomy, the thymus is a ductless gland located in the upper anterior portion of the chest cavity. It is most active during puberty, after which it shrinks in size and activity in most individuals and is replaced with fat. The thymus plays an important role in the development of the immune system in early life, and its cells form a part of the body's normal immune system. The thymus is also present in many other animals. When animal thymus tissue is sold in a butcher shop or at a meat counter, thymus is known as sweetb ...

Including:

• Thymus - Function
• Thymus - Anatomy
• Thymus - Development
• Thymus - Structure
• Thymus - Cancer

Read more here: » Thymus: Encyclopedia - Thymus

An antibody is a protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. Each antibody recognizes a specific antigen unique to its target. Production of antibodies is referred to as the humoral immune system. Antibody - Definition. Immunoglobulins are glycoproteins in the immunoglobulin superfamily that function as antibodies. The terms antibody and immunoglobulin are often used interchangeably. They are found in the blood and tissue fluids, as w ...

Including:

• Antibody - Definition
• Antibody - Structure of the antibody
• Antibody - Isotypes
• Antibody - IgG
• Antibody - IgA
• Antibody - IgM
• Antibody - IgD
• Antibody - IgE
• Antibody - Function
• Antibody - The humoral immune response
• Antibody - Medical applications
• Antibody - Biochemical applications

Read more here: » Antibody: Encyclopedia - Antibody

Definition and meaning of immune system:

immune system - a system that provides the organism with a defense against infection. In higher organisms it is afforded by the presence of circulating antibodies and white blood cells. Antibodies are manufactured specifically to deal with the antigens associated with different diseases as they are encountered. White blood cells attack and destroy foreign particles in the blood and other tissues

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