Most people visit medical facilities only when necessary. We know what the therapist, neurologist or surgeon does, but the range of tasks of individual doctors remains unknown to us and sometimes causes bewilderment. What is an immunologist treating and in which case is it recommended to visit this particular specialist? If you do not know the answers to these questions, the information below will be not only interesting, but also useful for you.
What specific diseases can an immunologist heal?
What does an immunologist treat? As the name implies, the main specialization of the doctor is the definition and treatment of diseases associated with the human immune system. The list of problems, the presence of which obliges you to come to visit this medical professional, can be reduced to the following ailments:
- lichen;
- asthma;
- hives;
- dermatitis caused by allergies;
- candidiasis;
- pulmonary fibrosis;
- HIV and others.
In addition to the specialist serving adults, there is a children's immunologist. What does this doctor treat ? The same diseases that occur in babies.
General tasks of a specialist
In addition to the specified list, a general list of problem situations can be given, in the treatment of which an allergist-immunologist should take part. To begin with, it should be noted that the immune system affects the entire human body, its susceptibility to various diseases and the degree of difficulty in combating them. That is why the activities of such a specialist can be associated with such areas as:
- allergy to various external factors (medications, insect bites or animal hair, various household chemicals, etc.);
- regularly occurring viral or chronic diseases;
- manifestations of allergic diseases (rhinitis, conjunctivitis and others);
- relapse of fungal diseases over a short period of time.
The information presented above fully reflects what the immunologist treats. Be careful: if you have any of these diseases, be sure to visit a doctor.
How to understand that you should go to the reception?
Now that you know who the immunologist is and what he is treating, it's time to talk about how to understand that you should make an appointment with him. Symptoms of the weakening of the protective functions of the body are many, and most of them are difficult to diagnose for ordinary inhabitants. At the same time, there are a number of fairly simple signs that each of us can determine. These include:
- frequent colds and acute respiratory infections;
- constant exacerbations of chronic diseases;
- increased general fatigue;
- reaction to external factors, expressed in skin rashes;
- frequent cough caused by normal physical exertion;
- panting, shortness of breath;
- regular runny nose;
- pain in the eyes, tearing, suppuration;
- herpes;
- warts;
- papillomas;
- molluscum contagiosum ;
- sleep disturbance, insomnia;
- increased body temperature over a long period for no apparent reason.
How to prepare for the initial visit?
Knowing what the immunologist is treating, it’s pretty easy to prepare for your first consultation visit. Gathering primary information will help you save valuable time and start solving existing problems much faster. So, at the first visit to such a specialist as an allergist-immunologist, it is recommended to bring with you:
- general blood analysis;
- HIV test;
- immunological analysis.
Among other things, it is recommended to consider, recall and specify your complaints and wishes. Your doctor may also need information about hereditary diseases and the health status of your immediate family. Be prepared for the specialist to examine you.
How to identify a possible allergen?
Let's specify what actions an allergist-immunologist takes? What he heals, now you know, it remains to understand how. Most often, visits to this specialist are related to questions about various manifestations of allergies. In order to successfully cure the disease, it is extremely important to determine the factor that provokes the disease. The following medical methods can be used to search for a potential allergen:
- Elimination tests. They are carried out under the condition of constant contact with a possible food source of reaction. They consist in adjusting the diet and removing allergens from the menu. With a decrease in external manifestations, the test can be considered positive.
- Provocative research. They are used only as a last resort, when other studies do not clarify the situation, are carried out strictly under the supervision of a specialist. The essence of the test is in the contact of the suspected allergen and the person.
- Laboratory tests for antibodies. For the experiment, it is necessary to donate blood from a vein. The doctor’s task is to identify the antibodies of immunoglobulins from the data obtained, and to determine the presence or absence of any allergy by their number.
- Skin tests. They are considered the most simple, practical and at the same time effective. A small amount of the potential allergen in liquid form is applied to the external surface of the skin, a neat cut or injection is made on it, and then the reaction is monitored. If the result is positive, slight local swelling or redness may be observed.
Reasons for Weakening Your Health
It is very important to follow the advice given by the immunologist. Thanks to following the simplest, but useful recommendations, you can maintain and strengthen your health, and therefore, protect yourself from a large number of various ailments.
First of all, it is recommended to remember that a lowered level of immunity can be either constant (chronic) or seasonal (manifested periodically due to certain external factors). In both cases, the set of correct measures will help you solve the problem, and the immunologist will determine it (you already know what he is treating).
Once you understand that the cause of frequent diseases is the weakening of the protective function of the body, it is necessary to identify the negative premises of such an event. These may include:
- permanent negative effects on the nervous system (stress, conflict, emotional overstrain);
- lack of healthy habits (unhealthy diet, improper daily routine, regular lack of sleep);
- external environmental factors (air pollution, etc.);
- low level of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle;
- Genetically modified foods.
As for children, the protective function of their body is often spoiled by excessive sterility, which parents create and cultivate from the very first days of their lives.
What general recommendations can be?
How can an allergist-immunologist help you? What treats and how does this doctor provide prevention? Most likely, a specialist will give you individual recommendations on nutrition, daily routine and hardening. In addition, he will prescribe vitamins or special balanced supplements for you, the purpose of which is to strengthen immunity and make up for the lack of useful components in the body.
A few words about children
Why are pediatric immunologists needed? After all, a newborn baby has little contact with the environment, bacteria and viruses that can harm his health, for the most part he is in an atmosphere of constant sterility. In fact, everything is not as simple as it might seem. Immunity problems can be not only acquired as a result of any external factors, but also congenital. That is why it is extremely important to identify and cure them at an early stage, otherwise there is a great chance of developing chronic, that is, permanent diseases. The health of these babies deteriorates significantly during the period of socialization, when they begin to attend kindergarten or school. You may notice that the child is often sick and does not tolerate even the common cold. This is precisely the first, basic symptom of a weakening of the protective function of his body. In this case, children's immunologists will help you.
Instead of a conclusion
Now you know what the immunologist does, what he treats and what he is responsible for. Such information, of course, will be very useful for everyone who cares about improving their health. Caring for immunity and preventing its weakening in most cases consists in observing a number of simple principles of a correct lifestyle. Timely treatment and precautions will allow you to avoid serious ailments in the future.