Increased immune function
- the most common manifestation of an overactive immune system is an allergy. Allergies are the most dynamically growing group of diseases in recent years. The allergic patient's immune system also interprets harmless substances in the environment as dangerous, so it triggers a protective immune response against them. If necessary, our immunologists perform treatments in consultation with their allergist colleagues
- in autoimmune diseases, the immune system turns against itself, destroying the body's own tissues with its abnormal functioning. In this case, the primary goal of treatment is to reduce overactivity. The task of our specialists is to inhibit this abnormal functioning of the immune system with appropriate treatment and to treat the symptoms using anti-inflammatory therapy. There can be a wide range of symptoms of autoimmune diseases: most common are various joint complaints, fever, weight loss, fatigue. Diseases indicative of immune overactivity include type 1 diabetes, lupus, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Among our other tasks is the detection and correction of decreasing/decreased functions during autoimmune reactions. The best-known example of this is the permanent pharmacological correction of decreased hormone production due to chronic thyroiditis
Immune system dysfunction
Immune deficiency can be caused by a genetic disorder, but insufficient functioning can also be caused by certain diseases, environmental damage or medications.
When and with what complaints should you consult an immunologist?
In case of long-lasting, recurrent symptoms of unknown origin, it is advisable to seek the help of an immunologist. These can be
- skin symptoms, skin rash, certain skin conditions
- slight fever
- tiredness, depression
- headache, nervous system symptoms
- hair loss
- muscle aches
- muscle aches and weakness
- arthritis, joint stiffness and pain
- enlarged lymph nodes
- dry eyes and mouth, any other frequently recurring inflammatory symptoms
- Blood disorders of unknown origin
What diseases do immunologists deal with?
Systemic diseases
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Polymyositis, dermatomyositis
- Progressive systemic sclerosis
- Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjögren's syndrome
- SLE - Systemic lupus
- Seronegative arthritis (psoriasis, Bechterew)
- Vasculitis
Organ-specific diseases
- Celiac disease, gluten intolerance
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
- Thyroid diseases
- Psoriasis, vitiligo, alopecia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Heart, kidney, lung, skin lesions
What happens during an immunological examination?
During the first consultation, the immunologist determines the examinations to be performed after a detailed examination of the patient and their medical history, previous test results and treatments.
How should I arrive for an immunological examination?
Bring with you all the medical records and a list of medications concerning your previous symptoms. It can help a lot to think through your previous complaints, symptoms, and even take notes before the consultation so that important details are not missed. Some of the autoimmune diseases can also occur in close blood relatives – knowledge of this can not only confirm your diagnosis, but also shed light on the causes of previously unrecognized symptoms and diseases in others. The common environment and lifestyle may also point to an allergic background to the ’mysterious’ symptoms of other family members.
