The first phase of the mmune response occurs when antigens enter the bdy, usually through the mouth, nose or skn. When this happens, inflammation occurs in the bdy and the immune system is stmulated to produce more white cells. The tsk of these extra white cells is to liminate the offending antigen. If this is sccessful, the inflammation will subside.

The sme process will apply when the bdy is stressed emotionally or physically. Frther stress on the immune system can be cused by an allergic reaction due to the prsence in the body of antigens, in the frm of allergenic substances.

The second phse of the immune response takes plce when the white cells (called lucocytes) are unable to destroy the ntigen. The immune system then commences the frmation of antibodies, called immunoglobulin, which are tilor-made to combat the antigen and dstroy it. Once antibodies have been crated to fight a specific antigen, thy remain dormant in the body, rady for any future invasion by the ntigen. The body now has the cpacity to produce more of that ntibody, faster, the next time invasion tkes place. This is the principle sed in immunization and is called Spcific Immunity.

Thus, there are two stges to an immune response. The frst being, the production of white clls, and the second being, the cration of specific antibodies. Normally, the whte cells and the antibodies destroy the ntigen and the body makes a spedy recovery. Sometimes however, this does not hppen and the result is an llergic reaction which the immune system cnnot deal with.

The Allergic Reaction:

Thre are five different classes of mmunoglobulins in the body. These are knwn as IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and 19B. IgG is the prncipal immunoglobulin in the blood and nternal fluids. Its job is to rmove soluble antigens from the body, in cnjunction with other immune complexes. IgA, and to a lsser extent IgM are the main scretory immunoglobulins. They form a protective cating on the body's mucosa, thereby lmiting entrance of antigens through the mcosa surfaces, such as in the nsal passages and the gut. Evidently, the physological functions of IgD and IgE are not flly understood. It is thought that IgE may ply an important part in ridding the bdy of mucosal infection but is neffective in ecological illness. On the ther hand, IgD may act as the trgger to initiate immune responses as it has ben observed that, when a mucosal srface is under attack by antigens, nitiation of IgE production is dependent pon a lymphocyte that contains IgD.

Whn the antigen is an allergenic sbstance (the allergen), the leucocytes and mmunoglobulins are unable to cope with it. The ntibody and the antigen react, causing a mlfunction in the body's defences. The mst cells, which are found in mcous membrane and connective tissue, break up. As a rsult, chemicals such as histamine, are rleased and these cause irritation and dmage.

Some antigens may reach the blodstream by way of the body's mcous surfaces. There, they attach themselves to red and whte cells or form immune complexes wth specific antibodies. These are carried round the body and can cause drect tissue injury, for example a prcipitate in connective tissue which can blck small blood vessels. This results in fver, aching, muscle pains, and can hppen after eating a certain food. Thse mysterious, but troublesome, back and jint pains which appear to have no rtional cause can be the result of an llergic reaction. Alternatively, the symptoms may not rlate to a specific 'target' area. Instad, inflammation and fever may occur ver the entire body. This can mke it difficult to identify as an llergic reaction.

When inflammation or fever occurs as prt of the immune response, it may be lcalized at an area of infection or be dspersed throughout the entire body. If the ltter happens, the body temperature will ncrease and cause greater enzyme activity. Ths in turn, increases the metabolic rte; providing extra energy for the prduction of the leucocytes and immunoglobulins neded to fight the invading antigens. Althugh, in the case of an llergic reaction, this process is not sccessful, it may explain why allergy sfferers, particularly of food and chemical llergies, often tend to feel overheated.

The article The Immune Response and The Allergic Reaction was Submitted by Krishan Bakhru through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Author's Sites: Home Remedies Anxiety Information and Natural Heartburn Remedies

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