If the body is autoimmune and vigilantly attacking itself, then would it be better to lower immunity, or is the person's immunity already low?
2006-12-16 19:19:09 · 6 answers · asked by Anathema 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Generally, an autoimmune disorder is caused by an overactive immune system, not a deficient one. If by low immunity you mean a weak immune system, then no.
Treatment for autoimmune diseases includes weakening the immune system to reduce the rate of attack on the targeted tissue. Unfortunately this also allows for an increased probability of detrimental infection and usually sickness.
2006-12-16 19:27:09 · answer #1 · answered by Black Dragon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would not "help" an autoimmune disorder by lowering immunity. That would only allow outside bacteria and viruses to also attack the body, causing more problems. There is very little you can actually do to help an autoimmune disorder, except take medication to treat the symptoms that occur as a result of the attack.
2006-12-16 19:23:21 · answer #2 · answered by bashnick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the nature of the autoimmune disorder. Not every such disorder results in the body attacking itself in all possible ways -- that would lead to rapid death.
If an individual was exposed to an infective agent that attacked the same system that was experiencing the autoimmune problem, the patient's problem would certainly be exacerbated. An unrelated infection might be dealt with in a relatively normal fashion.
Immuno-suppresants, unfortunately, aren't very discriminatory and sometimes lead to a general inability to fight off infections that normal immune systems would handle easily.
2006-12-16 19:26:58 · answer #3 · answered by Mark H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your immunity is excessively high, and that's why the body attacks itself (your immune system is working overtime). So lowering it would be good, but the problem is it's hard to lower it just the right amount. That's where doctors come in.
2006-12-16 19:22:08 · answer #4 · answered by T.M.Y. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a complex subject. That is why there are specialists who spend years learning about it. An automimmune problem means the person's immune system has become immune to part of the person. Treatment actually does consist of drugs which lower one's immunity, such as steroids.
2006-12-16 19:23:21 · answer #5 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
not low, impaired
2006-12-16 19:20:49 · answer #6 · answered by Joe 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋