Walden University Immune Function and Wellness Discussion

Immune Function and Wellness

Unlike medicine which restores wellness, vaccines are used to improve immune function to maintain wellness. On the surface, vaccines might seem counterproductive with their contents consisting of antigens from the disease being prevented. However, most vaccines use dead antigens to activate the humoral immune response. This response releases antibodies to respond to specific antigens. This exposure prepares the immune system to respond should it encounter the same antigens in nature. Yet, the immune response also can detract from wellness as in the case of the overactive immune functioning of asthma. As a health psychology professional, understanding immune functioning can help you to suggest interventions that work with the body’s responses.

For this Assignment, select one of the following immune system responses: humoral response, antigen response, or cell-mediated immunity. Next, search the Walden Library for articles that discuss a disease or aspect of wellness associated with that response. Then, consider a cognitive/behavioral intervention, a complementary/alternative modality, or a lifestyle change that might influence the immune response to improve immune function and wellness.

The Assignment (3–5 pages):

Submit an APA-formatted essay that includes the following:

• A description of the immune system response you selected and an aspect of wellness or disease associated with that immune system response
• An explanation of the relationship between the immune system response you selected and its associated aspect of wellness or disease
• An explanation of a cognitive/behavioral intervention that might influence that immune response to improve immune function and wellness
• An explanation of a complementary/alternative modality or lifestyle change that might work to improve immune function and wellness or reduce disease

Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course.

Readings

• Abbas, A. K., Lichtman, A. H. & Pillai, S. (2016). Basic immunology: Functions and disorders of the immune system (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
  • Chapter 5, “T-Cell-Mediated Immunity” (pp. 103-126)
  • Chapter 6, “Effector Mechanisms of T-Cell-Mediated Immunity” (pp. 129-146)
  • Chapter 7, “Humoral Immune Responses” (pp. 147-167)
• Kendall-Tackett, K. (Ed.). (2010). The psychoneuroimmunology of chronic disease: Exploring the links between inflammation, stress, and illness. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  • Chapter 2, “Inflammation, Fatty Acid Oxidation, and Neurodegenerative Disease” (pp. 23–52)
  • Chapter 4, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Inflammation, and Inflammatory Diseases” (pp. 77–110)
• Haroon, E., Raison, C. L., & Miller, A. H. (2012). Psychoneuroimmunology meets neuropsychopharmacology: Translational implications of the impact of inflammation on behavior. Neuropsychopharmocology Reviews, 37(1), 137–162.
  Copyright 2012 by NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP (PERMISSIONS). Reprinted by permission of NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP (PERMISSIONS) via the Copyright Clearance Center.
• O’Malley, D., Quigley, E. M. M., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2011). Do interactions between stress and immune responses lead to symptom exacerbations in irritable bowel syndrome? Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 25(7), 1333–1341.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Wilson, D. R., & Warise, L. (2008). Cytokines and their role in depression. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 44(4), 285–289.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• American Heart Association. (2012). Inflammation and heart disease. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/Inflammation-and-Heart-Disease_UCM_432150_Article.jsp
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2012). What is asthma? Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/

Optional Resources

• Rance, K., & O’Laughlen, M. (2011). Obesity and asthma: A dangerous link in children: An integrative review of the literature. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 7(4), 287–292.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Agricultural Research Service. (2009). Inflammation and you: How foods from plants protect us from disease. Retrieved from http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/apr09/plants0409.htm
• National Cancer Institute. (2012). Acupuncture (PDQ®): Questions and answers about acupuncture. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/acupuncture/patient/page2
• National Institutes of Health. (2007). Tai Chi boosts immunity to shingles virus in older adults, NIH-sponsored study reports. Retrieved from http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr2007/nia-06.htm
• Pace, T. W. W., Negi, L. T., Adame, D. D., Cole, S. P., Sivilli, T. I., Brown, T. D., Raison, C. L. (2009). Effect of compassion meditation on neuroendocrine, innate immune, and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(1), 87–98. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695992/

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