Immunomodulators and immunostimulants, the differences of which we will consider later, quite often come to our ears, especially during colds. Often questions regarding these medications are asked in the fall and spring, when our immunity is weakened, it requires protection. To get started, get acquainted with the very concept of "immunity".
Immunity
This concept is found quite often, only the lazy 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 enormous) make adjustments to immunity, but they act a little differently.
So, immunity is the ability of our body to defend itself against foreign substances. Constancy is closely monitored by the immune system. How does the immune system understand which substance to kill? Destruction are all substances, molecules that are not similar to the structure of substances in the human body.
When we eat food consisting of large molecules, for example, starch, proteins, they decompose into simple substances, from them, in turn, more complex compounds characteristic of the human body are formed, 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 it mean?
So, innate immunity is a very resource-consuming reaction. That is why it is quickly depleted, the acquired comes to the rescue. Note that innate immunity can not withstand for a long time.
Acquired immunity, unlike congenital immunity, has memory. If any large dose of the pathogen has been received, then innate immunity gives way to the acquired one. Although antibodies to pathogens quickly disappear, but they can instantly form due to memory to this agent.
Helping the immune system
If our body does not cope with the attack of harmful bacteria, then it is possible to help him. There are such drugs as immunomodulators and immunostimulants, their differences are that the former are auxiliary substances that also fight viruses and bacteria, like the human immune system. The latter forcefully stimulate the immune system to give up the reserve to fight the virus. In other words, immunomodulators and immunostimulants, the differences of which are already known to us, are completely different drugs that act on the human body in completely different ways. Let’s figure out how.
Immunostimulants and immunomodulators: harm and benefits
Imagine this picture: a gypsy rides a tired horse so that she does not slow down the pace of the ride, a man drives her with a whip. Question: "How long will his horse ride?" Of course not, she is completely exhausted. Another thing is to give her food, water and rest. Then your horse will serve you for a very long time. So with the drugs. The immunostimulant makes you give out the last reserves of your body, which is dangerous and harmful. In our example, the gypsy is the immunostimulant.
Our immunity is a full can, one third is the reserve that the body needs, so to speak, for a rainy day. You can’t force him to surrender, otherwise we have a direct road to the hospital by ambulance.
An immunomodulator is an auxiliary substance for controlling agents; they serve as our immune system (pest control). They are prescribed after prolonged treatment, after suffering 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 a dark side to these drugs, for example, allergies, intolerance to any substances, there are also a number of diseases where the immunomodulator drug cannot be taken at all.
You can strengthen your immunity without resorting to medication. There are immunomodulators of natural (plant) origin:
- garlic;
- clover;
- cranberry;
- nettle;
- lemongrass and so on.
This list can be continued very, very long, almost ad infinitum. There is one "but." Natural origin immunomodulators and immunostimulants are less effective than their "counterparts", developed in special conditions in laboratories.
Preparations for children
At the expense of drugs for children, especially immunostimulating and immunomodulating, there is a lot of debate. We will name the main conclusions, wishes, recommendations of medical workers.
As a result of studying and analyzing many medical works, one can say the following: many parents resort to doctors for help with requests to strengthen the child’s immunity. Hardening, prevention, nothing helps. If the child is often sick, then his immunity is very weakened when natural helpers do not help him, it is possible to take immunomodulating and immunostimulating drugs for children. Note that the child’s immune system is just beginning to form; 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 should not be selected independently, but entrusted to your attending physician. This will not harm your baby.
Immunomodulators and immunostimulants: list
For children and adults, this list is different. Side effects, method of administration and dose should be studied in the instructions for a specific drug. Do not self-medicate, consult your doctor.
List:
- Lycopid.
- "Kagocel".
- Arbidol.
- Viferon.
- Derinat.
- Anaferon.
- Amiksin.
- "Immunal."
- Cycloferon.
- "Remantadine."
- Dekaris.
- "Lizobakt."
- "IRS".
- Ergoferon.
- Aflubin.
- "Tsitovir."
- "Timogen".
Before use, carefully read the instructions. Remember that immunity can be supported in other ways:
- proper nutrition;
- hardening;
- walks in the fresh air and so on.