Lymphatic and Immune System

Question 0

What are antibodies?

Answer 0

Molecules manufactured and released by wbc’s that can destroy or inactivate antigens

Question 1

What is meant by the terms SPECIFIC resistance to disease and NON SPECIFIC resistance?

Answer 1

SPECIFIC - are pre programmed cells that have instructions to destroy specific antigens (foreign cells) aka Immunity

NON SPECIFIC - has two areas:

1. preventing entry (e.g. skin, mucous membranes, vomit)
2. after entry attack (e.g. blood proteins, inflammation, fever)

Question 2

1. What is an autoimmune disease?

List 4 examples

Answer 2

When your immune system mistakenly identifies your own cells as antigens and attacks them

1. Type 1 diabetes
2. MS
3. Graves
4. Lupus (SLE)

Question 3

What is the difference between Oedema and Lymphedema?

Answer 3

Oedema - accumulation of excessive fluid between cells. May be local or systemic and is usually associated with chemical imbalance, inflammation or poor circulation.

Lymphedema - accumulation of excessive fluid between cells as result of damage to lymphatic structures and accumulation of proteins in the interstitial fluid.

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of Oedema?

Answer 4

1. Soft, puffy, boggy tissue. Hot if inflammation linked, cool if long standing poor circulation
2. ‘pitting oedema’ - if blood/lymph movement is chronically reduced, a pit can remain in tissue after pressed by finger

Question 5

1. What is Mononucleosis?

2. Apart from a sore throat, how might a patient present with this condition?

Answer 5

1. Viral infection of salivary glands and throat that moves to the lymphatic system. Usually 90% Epstein Barr virus which is related to the Herpes virus.
2. Symptoms differ and subtler in young but include:
   - general fatigue and malaise then a fever
   - very sore throat
   - swollen and tender lymph nodes
   - possible swollen eyelids
   - jaundice, measles like rash

Question 6

What is Candidasis?

Answer 6

When C. albicans (a yeast like fungus) gets out of control. Antibiotics suppress bacteria which gives the candida more opportunity to reproduce and spread.

Question 7

Why should you be cautious of your own health as a therapist when deciding whether to treat someone with AIDS?

Answer 7

AIDS is a disease caused by HIV which attacks and disables the immune system. This leaves the person vulnerable to a host of diseases that you, as a therapist, could pass on.

Question 8

What is an allergic reaction?

Answer 8

Immune systems response to stimuli that aren’t inherently hazardous.

Question 9

How can asthma be linked to the immune system?

Answer 9

Asthma is a chronic disorder of airways that interferes with breaking. 
Inhaled foreign (non self) debris causes wbcs into airways and generates an inflammatory reaction, releasing fluid and mucus into airways making them swell. 
This may completely block some airways making it impossible to get oxygenated air to alveoli or deoxygenated air out.

Question 10

1. What is eczema?

2. Why might a person with eczema be more susceptible to a wide range of infections?

Answer 10

1. Hypersensitivity reactions with the immune system overreacting to non threatening stimuli. WBCs release molecules that create an inflammatory response to the skin.
2. The itching caused by eczema makes the skin fragile and broken thus easier to invade by e.g. herpes simplex, fungi, warts, viruses.

Question 11

What are the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue / ME?

Answer 11

unending fatigue, not restored by sleep/rest for min of 6 months

Also must be 4+ of the following:

• poor short term memory / confusion
• changes in sleep quality / quantity
• tender lymph nodes
• headache
• MAPS
• low grade fever
• sore throat
• disproportional postexertional pain

May also be extreme allergies, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, cramping, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, coughing, dizziness, fainting, dry eyes & mouth, weight loss, night sweats, depression, anxiety.

May also be associated with fibromyalgia and IBS

Question 12

1. What is Anaphylaxis?
2. What are its common triggers?
3. Why is it potentially more dangerous than other allergic reactions?

Answer 12

1. Its an acute, severe allergic reaction leading to the release of massive amounts of histamine from wbcs
2. Common triggers include: antibiotics, blood products, latex, wasp, bee and ant stings, peanuts, soybeans, cows milk, eggs, shellfish
3. It results in a sudden drop in blood pressure (hypotension) and oedema. If the reactions happens in the respiratory tract it can interfere with breathing. The drop in BP may also seriously affect the blood supply to the brain and kidneys.

Question 13

1. How does RA occur?

2. List other tissues that may be affected.

Answer 13

1. Its an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own ‘self’ cells, usually the synovial membrane cells of certain joints.

Inflammation develops with the usual signs and symptoms of heat, pain, redness, swelling and loss of function. In response, the synovial membrane thickens and swells and fluid accumulates inside the joint capsule which causes pressure and pain.

Inflamed tissues release enzymes that erode cartilage and bone - tendons and ligaments can also be affected. This causes joint deformation and the typical gnarled appearance of RA.

2. Other tissues attacked may include:
   - whites of eyes
   - eyes and mouth
   - pleura of lungs
   - heart
   - liver (hepatitis)
   - blood vessels (vasculitis)
   - bursae (bursitis)
   - blood

Question 14

1. What are the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis (Hayfever)?

2. How could you differentiate between hay fever and a common cold?

Answer 14

1. Cold like - sneezing, itching, blocking / runny nose

2. Check for nasal polyps, do allergy test, notice circumstantial patterns.