Immunomodulators and immunostimulants, the differences of which we will discuss later, quite often come to our ears, especially during colds. Often questions about these medicines are asked in the fall and spring, when our immunity is weakened, it requires protection. First, let's get acquainted with the very concept of "immunity".
Immunity
This concept occurs quite often, only the lazy one does not offer to improve it, increase it. But first you need to get to know him, find out how it works before trying to somehow correct it. By the way, immunomodulators and immunostimulants (their differences are colossal) correct immunity, only they act a little differently.
So, immunity is the ability of our body to defend itself against foreign substances. The immune system carefully monitors constancy. How does the immune system know which substance to kill? All substances, molecules that are not similar to the structure of substances in the human body are subjected to destruction.
When we eat foods that are made up of large molecules, such as starches, proteins, theydecompose into simple substances, from which, in turn, more complex compounds are formed that are characteristic of the human body, for example: hormones, blood proteins, and so on. If the result is a foreign compound, then it is subject to destruction by the immune system.
Agents
As mentioned earlier, foreign compounds can be obtained, let's call them agents, they can be:
- bacteria;
- insect poisons;
- cellular debris;
- chemicals, such as cosmetics or washing powder.
Types of immunity
Many are familiar with the concepts of innate immunity and acquired. What does this mean?
So, innate immunity is a very resource-consuming reaction. That is why it is quickly depleted, the acquired one comes to the rescue. Note that innate immunity cannot resist for long.
Acquired immunity, unlike innate immunity, has memory. If any large dose of the pathogen has been received, then innate immunity gives way to acquired immunity. Although antibodies to pathogens disappear quickly, they can be formed instantly due to memory for this agent.
Help the immune system
If our body can not cope with the attack of harmful bacteria, then it can be helped. There are drugs such as immunomodulators and immunostimulants, their difference is that the former are auxiliary substances that also fight viruses and bacteria, like the human immune system. The secondforcibly stimulate the immune system to give up reserve to fight the virus. In other words, immunomodulators and immunostimulants, the differences of which we already know, are completely different drugs that act on the human body in completely different ways. Let's figure out how.
Immunostimulants and immunomodulators: harm and benefit
Let's imagine this picture: a gypsy rides on a tired horse so that it does not slow down the pace of the ride, a man drives it with a whip. Question: "How long will his horse take?" Of course not, she will be completely depleted. Another thing is to give her food, water and rest. Then your horse will serve you for a very long time. So it is with drugs. The immunostimulator makes you give out the last reserves of your body, which is dangerous and harmful. In our example, the gypsy is an immunostimulant.
Our immunity is a full bank, one third is a reserve that the body needs, so to speak, for a rainy day. You can’t force him to give it up, otherwise we’ll have a direct road to the hospital in an ambulance.
Immunomodulator - these are adjuvants to fight agents, they perform the function of our immune system (pest control). They are prescribed after long-term treatment, after a disease with complications, after operations, injuries, fractures, and so on. The immunomodulator drug helps to cope with the problem, the treatment is faster and without complications. However, there is also a dark side of these drugs, for example, allergies, intolerance to any substances,there are also a number of diseases where an immunomodulating drug cannot be taken at all.
You can strengthen your immune system without resorting to drugs. There are immunomodulators of natural (plant) origin:
- garlic;
- clover;
- cranberries;
- nettle;
- lemongrass and so on.
This list can be continued for a very, very long time, almost indefinitely. There is one "but". Naturally occurring immunomodulators and immunostimulants are less effective than their "brothers" developed in special conditions in laboratories.
Drugs for children
There is a lot of debate about drugs for children, especially immunostimulating and immunomodulating ones. Let's name the main conclusions, wishes, recommendations of medical workers.
As a result of studying and analyzing many medical works, we can say the following: many parents seek help from doctors with requests to strengthen the child's immunity. Hardening, prevention, nothing helps. If a child is often sick, it means that his immunity is very weakened, when natural helpers do not help him, it is possible to take immunomodulatory and immunostimulating drugs for children. Note that the child's immune system is just beginning its formation, it is very unstable and immature. Only by the age of fourteen will a child develop immunity. That is why, immunomodulating and immunostimulating drugs for children must be selected noton your own, but entrust it to your doctor. This will prevent harm to your baby.
Immunomodulators and immunostimulants: list
For children and adults, this list is different. Side effects, method of administration and doses must be studied in the instructions for a particular drug. Do not self-medicate, consult your doctor.
List:
- "Likopid".
- "Kagocel".
- "Arbidol".
- "Viferon".
- "Derinat".
- "Anaferon".
- "Amixin".
- "Immunal".
- "Cycloferon".
- "Remantadine".
- "Decaris".
- "Lizobakt".
- "IRS".
- "Ergoferon".
- "Aflubin".
- "Citovir".
- "Timogen".
Please read the instructions carefully before use. Remember that immunity can be maintained in other ways:
- proper nutrition;
- hardening;
- outdoor walks and so on.