Pink Prescriptions - August 2025
Your Autoimmune System… Explained
August 2025 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Your Autoimmune System… Explained
Quite simply, just the term autoimmune can be confusing, but we hear it used
all the time in vitamin and prescription medication commercials—
You have to build up your immune system.
Your autoimmune system must be weak.
In actuality, very few of us probably know if our immune system is strong or weak mainly because it’s complicated and affected by many varying factors.
With all the talk about vaccines, children going back to school and being
exposed to viruses and bacteria, and also what seems like a rise in cancer cases, Pink had to know more about the human immune system.
So, we went to our experts and here’s what we learned.
By Taras Nebeluk, DO
Novant Health Infectious Disease Care
What exactly is the immune system and
how does it protect the body?
The immune system is a set of mechanisms our body uses to defend itself. It is split into two systems—the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. The innate immune system makes up the body’s first-line barriers and rapid response mechanisms to defend against microbial invasion. The innate immune system is present from birth and does not require exposure to microorganisms in order to adapt. It is the first to detect and respond to microorganisms entering the body and balances inflammatory responses.
The composition of the innate immune system is a complex network that includes skin, mucous membranes and various cells that engulf foreign microorganisms and break them down, as well as signal between cells to allow an inflammatory response to take place. The adaptive immune system primarily consists of T cells and B cells working in tandem to produce antibodies in response to either vaccination or exposure to a foreign organism entering the body. The adaptive immune system remembers these exposures and works to protect the body when future encounters occur; this process creates long-lasting immunity.
What are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate an immune system problem?
Common signs and symptoms of an immune system problem can be vague and difficult to recognize. Signs of a weakened immune system can include frequent infections and delayed wound healing. Things like rashes, joint pain, digestive issues, weight loss, and lymph node swelling could be a sign of an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. Any suspicion of an immune system disorder should be discussed with your primary care physician for an appropriate work up and if needed, a specialist referral.
Dr. Taras Nebeluk is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician specializing in Infectious Disease. He completed medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine followed by his residency in Internal Medicine at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center and his fellowship in Infectious Disease at Louisiana State University SOM – New Orleans. Dr. Nebeluk is passionate about caring for patients of all ages and encourages patients to stay engaged regarding their care. Dr. Nebeluk is accepting new patient referrals for those in need of specialized care—please contact your primary care physician to begin discussions about the need for a referral. For more information, call: 843-288-4577; 75 Baylor Drive, Suite 205B, Bluffton, SC.
by Dr. William P. Clare Jr. 
Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine
What are autoimmune diseases and how do they occur?
The immune system is the network of organs, cells, and proteins that helps your body fight against infections and keeps you healthy. Autoimmune diseases are conditions that result from “autoimmunity,” which is when an individual’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy tissues in the body.
These disorders can occur as a result of several factors, including genetics, environmental influences and gender (women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases).
Autoimmune diseases can attack a single organ or multiple organ systems in the body and range from mild in their severity to debilitating and disabling.
There are many autoimmune disorders, but these conditions include Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), just to name a few.
How do sleep and stress affect the immune system?
Sleep and stress are two factors that can impact the body’s immune system over time.
Sleep is essential to building a strong immune system. Lack of sleep does more than make you sleepy; it makes you more likely to gain weight, develop heart disease and, for those who chronically get less than seven hours of sleep each night, it can weaken your immune system and make you more likely to get sick.
Chronic stress (stress that results in prolonged periods of high levels of the cortisol hormone in your body) can also disrupt and weaken the immune system, putting you more at risk for viruses and allowing for the progression of certain autoimmune diseases. Not to mention, prolonged stress can result in increased risk of heart disease, mental health issues, and gastrointestinal conditions.
How does age affect the immune system?
As we get older, our immune system slows down, making it harder for us to fight off illnesses and recover when they develop. Getting older also increases the risk of developing autoimmune diseases and reduces our system’s ability to correct defects in our cells, which leads to a higher risk of cancer.
To keep your immune system strong as you age, there are a few key habits to incorporate into your lifestyle, including regular exercise, a healthy, balanced diet, and getting enough sleep.
William P. Clare Jr., M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine specialist at Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine. He works with his patients to prevent, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses. For more information, call: 843-522-7240; 117 Sea Island Pkwy, Lady's Island, SC.
7 Ways to Manage Chronic Stress:
Stress damages your immune system. It’s important to find healthy ways to deal with your stress. This will decrease your risk of long-term stress and its related health problems. Some good ways to reduce stress include:
> yoga & meditation
> eating healthfully
> art therapy
> acupuncture
> talk therapy
> exercise
Fun Fact: Laughter helps your immune system. The saying goes that laughter is the best medicine, and there’s truth to that. Laughter releases dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in the brain, all of which can help decrease stress. Twenty minutes of laughter a day may not keep the doctor away, but it may help keep your immune system working properly.