Immunity is a very fragile protective system of the human body and sometimes needs a competent correction. For this purpose special preparations are intended - immunomodulators and immunostimulants. Both groups of drugs affect the same mechanisms, but the essence of the process is different.
Immunostimulants and immunomodulators - differences
Our immunity consists of certain links and is a set of different cells that are developed in response to attempts by bacteria, infections or viruses to attack the body. Insufficient number of such cells leads to frequent morbidity, especially during epidemics.
With a prolonged flow of chronic diseases, the protective system sometimes stops functioning normally - the links are produced with a slow or absent inflammation. In such situations, they talk about autoimmune disorders, when the body cells attack themselves.
This is how immunomodulators differ from immunostimulants:
- With deficit of protective cell links, it is necessary to provoke the organism to produce them in increased volumes. For this, immunostimulants are used.
- Autoimmune diseases require correction of the balance of the number of cells, both large and small. In this case immunomodulators help, which also include immunosuppressors - substances that suppress the production of defense links.
Apparently, immunomodulators and immunostimulants have a small list of differences, as they are medicines for the same purpose - correction of immunity.
Preparations of immunostimulants
The use of medications of this type is shown in such situations:
- primary conditions of immunodeficiency;
- malignant tumors;
- sluggish chronic diseases with recurrent relapses that are caused by a fungal, viral or bacterial infection;
- any pathology provoked by a secondary immunodeficiency state.
Classification of modern immunostimulants:
- stimulators of nonspecific resistance of the organism (pentoxyl, prodigiosan, sodium nucleate, methyluracil);
- stimulants of humoral immune reactions (splenin, myelopid);
- stimulators of cellular immunity (leakadine, timoptin, molgamostin).
Use of immunomodulators
The type of remedies that correct the body's defense system is recommended for the following problems:
- allergic reactions;
- organ transplantation;
- increased activity of lymphocytic cells;
- autoimmune diseases.
The main groups of immunomodulators:
- probiotic microorganisms (bifidobacteria, propionic acid bacteria, lactobacilli);
- cytostatics;
- hormonal preparations;
- some types of antibiotics (rapamycin, cyclosporine);
- antilymphocytic globulins;
- monoclonal antibodies;
- anti-Rh-immunoglobulins.
Natural immunostimulants and immunomodulators
It is worth noting that even with severe chronic illnesses and a strong exposure to infections, it is not always necessary to take medications of the groups under consideration. The body's defense system can fully recover itself with the help of many natural remedies and herbal infusions.
Correction of immunity can be carried out with the help of the following natural products:
- buckwheat;
- pumpkin;
- garlic;
- beans (soy, peas and red beans);
- Cereals with high selenium content;
- seafood;
- milk;
- olive oil;
- pistachios;
- echinacea;
- honey;
- yarrow ;
- nettle;
- propolis;
- chicory ;
- field horsetail.