As you can imagine, the immune system is very complex. There are thousands of different cells and proteins at work each doing different jobs to keep your body healthy. Among these ever-important elements are chemical messengers called cytokines, which act as mediators between your cells. As messengers, cytokines tell your other immune cells to activate, grow or even die, so you can imagine, if there’s an imbalance in these proteins , you may end up needing cytokine therapy.
What are Some Common Cytokines Symptoms?
According to the latest scientific research, cytokines essentially regulate your immune system responses and can drive the inflammatory process. In this and other ways, they are aiding your body’s white blood cells in the fight against infection.
Inflammation and Cytokines
Unfortunately, cytokine involvement can also be negative.
- Joint Damage – Abnormal cytokine activity in rheumatoid arthritis has been shown to lead to joint damage
- Autoimmune disorders – Cytokine disturbances can be implicated in other autoimmune disorders
- Alzheimer’s – Elevated cytokine levels seen in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients have been found to contribute to symptoms
- Weight gain – Elevated cytokine levels impact your hypothalamus and can cause you to gain weight, even if you are dieting
- Hormonal Imbalances – Elevated cytokine levels impact on your hypothalamus can lower sex hormone levels and raise cortisol levels
- Sleep, pain, mood disturbances – the negative effects of high cytokine levels can imbalance virtually all the systems in your body.
In essence, the cytokine networks can be affected at many different levels and have very significant impact on your overall immune system, autonomic nervous system, hormone systems, endorphin levels and much more.
Cytokines and Pain
Aside from inflammation, an excess of these cytokines can bring on flu-like symptoms including fever, fatigue and body aches. Also, some cytokines have been shown to increase substance P, which sends pain messages.
Cytokines and Depression
Several scientific studies found that indicate that inflammation and cytokines may contribute to the development of major depression. This depression is mediated through multiple mechanisms including low thyroid function and high cortisol levels. However, a metabolically directed approach to cytokines treatment can have a tremendously positive impact on your overall state of health and state of mood.
Michael Rothman MD Can Help
If you’re experiencing unexplained pain, sickness or other problems, Michael Rothman MD can perform a metabolically directed, full-body evaluation to determine if you are suffering from cytokine symptoms. Your condition may be related to imbalances in your body’s metabolic systems. By finding and fixing the cause, we provide the best cytokine therapy to help improve your quality of life.
