Common Variable Immunodeficiency Treatment in Tarzana, CA
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is a type of primary immunodeficiency in which patients experience reoccurring infection and illness. Specific white blood cells called “B cells” malfunction, producing little to no antibodies (immunoglobulins) to defend the body against such infection.
CVID can present at nearly anytime. Also called adult onset agammaglobulinemia and late onset hypoagammaglobulinemia, it can emerge in childhood or lay dormant for years. The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that an estimated one out of every 25,000 people will develop common variable immunodeficiency.
Symptoms of Common Variable Immunodeficiency
The most common effects of CVID are frequent and reoccurring lung, sinus, and ear infections. Over time, CVID can develop into chronic lung disease. GI tract issues are common as well vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and inflammation ), polyarthritis (pain and swelling in joints). Other common symptoms of CVID include:
- Lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes)
- Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
- And granulomas, which are the accumulation of immune cells in parts of the body. If located in the intestine, the condition is known as Peyer's patches.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine also states that an estimated 25% of those who develop CVID will eventually present with an autoimmune disorder (a chronic, long-term immune condition where the antibodies attack the body itself). Of these rheumatoid arthritis, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia purpura, and cancer are common. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can often be the result of prolonged CVID.
What Causes Common Variable Immunodeficiency?
With CVID, specific white blood cells known as B-cells don't function properly. These B-cells are responsible for producing your body's first line of defense against infection known as antibodies (immunoglobulins). Unlike other immunodeficiency disorders, with CVID there is a normal number of B-cells, they're just not cooperating. Specific immunoglobulins known as IgA and IgG are under produced or not produced at all.
Those with CVID have immune systems so compromised that taking a flu shot or other immunization may not only cause a severe infection, but the immunizations themselves could have little effect.
Flu shots inject the body with a small amount of the influenza virus in order to jump-start the immune system into producing those anti-bodies we just spoke about. CVID patients—in many cases—can't produce any.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency Risk Factors
If you're frequently ill with digestive system issues like vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia, colds, the flu , it may be time to talk to your doctor about immunodeficiency disorders and CVID.
There are treatment options available like subcutaneous (injections) and IV immunoglobulin therapy to help control immunodeficiency disorders. Discovering you have an immune condition can be scary, but knowing is the first step in controlling the condition that has been controlling you.
To request more information from a qualified healthcare provider about Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) today. Call (424) 365-1800 or contact Vitality Integrative Medicine online.
Vitality Integrative Medicine
Address
4849 Van Nuys BlvdSuite 104
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(424) 365-1800
www.vitalityintegrative.com
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