Treatment for Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID): Therapies, Diet

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is an amalgamation of group of immunologic disorders of unexplained etiology. Once the person is affected by common variable immune deficiency (CVID), he or she experiences a sudden decrease in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum level accompanied by a subsequent decrease in IgA (immunoglobulin A) level as well. In some instances, IgM (immunoglobulin M) levels are low.

In this article you will learn about the treatment for common variable immune deficiency (CVID), therapies involved in common variable immune deficiency (CVID), risk factors, complications and tests for common variable immune deficiency (CVID).

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) requires comprehensive treatment strategy on the part of the medical specialists. Physicians might take care of the blood related disorders while gastroentologists and the pulmonologists would treat the issues with intestine and lungs respectively. Immunologists also form an integral component of the team to treat the disorder.

As a part of the treatment procedure for common variable immune deficiency (CVID), the immunoglobins along with antibodies from the blood fluid are injected through the veins or given orally to the patients. It goes a long way in eliminating the instances of recurrent infections and also related symptoms

Few patients might suffer side effects due to intravenous gammaglobulin. In this case, such medicines are given that may block the release of histamines to provide relief to the patient. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) can be also given to have the desired effect. NSAIDS are far more effective in managing the auto immune symptoms than corticosteroids.

According to the medical specialists, prior to diagnosing the patient with autoimmune disorder, one should also check whether the person is suffering from common variable immune deficiency (CVID). The information may provide far more clarity in administering the right types of drugs.

Antibiotics prove to be useful in bacterial infections caused due to the common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Patients who cannot absorb vitamin B12 can opt for B12 injections on a monthly basis.

People with reduced platelet count in the blood should refrain from aspirin as it can hamper the blood clotting procedure. Patients suffering from common variable immune deficiency (CVID) should refrain from virus vaccine because it can play havoc with weak immunity. It might manifest in the form of different diseases.

Complete blood count test and differential blood count tests are undertaken to find out the evidence of Lymphoma. Besides, annual thyroid examination, thyroid function and pulmonary testing can should be conducted on a continuous basis since the age of 8 to 10. In addition, imaging techniques for evaluating the granulomatous disease and gastrointestinal complication needs to be carried out on a regular basis.

If autosomal recessive common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is noticed in the patient, you can discuss the possible genetic reasons with the individual. Treatments are prescribed to manage the symptoms and provide relief.

Bronchopulmonary hygiene methods along with physical therapies eliminate the secretions from the respiratory tract and enhance the tolerance level of the patients suffering from bronchiectasis. Some of the techniques used to accomplish the task incorporate postural drainage, pulmonary rehab events and training of the inspiratory muscles. Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) patients should be provided intensive pulmonary treatment to improve health.

Nutritional support therapy for common variable immune deficiency (CVID) plays a crucial role in fighting diseases. Immunocompetent along with immunodeficient patients should focus on consuming nutrients because it is essential to enhance immunity towards diseases caused due to common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Intestinal infections can result in malnutrition and could cause havoc if it is combined with immunosuppressive medication. The cumulative effect would go a long way in making the immune system weaker. Doctors should take special care to address the nutritional needs of the patients that are suffering from gastrointestinal disorder.

Psychological & social support is a crucial part for patients with common variable immune deficiency (CVID) and their family members. One of the top priorities of the doctors is to improve the quality of the life of patients suffering from common variable immune deficiency (CVID). They are more vulnerable than patients suffering from diabetes mellitus and arthritis. Deterioration in common variable immune deficiency (CVID) patients is probably related to unemployment along with diseased related issues. Antibodies deficiency makes the body host to large number of diseases.

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) should be regularly monitored and medical follow up is necessary to provide continued relief to the patients. Psychological support is absolutely essential for the person infected with common variable immune deficiency (CVID) and also the associated family members. It is important to strictly comply with the treatment strategy to get long term results.

Nutrition and nutritional supplements play a major role in the sufferers of common variable immune deficiency (CVID). It is important for the sufferers of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) to use nutritional supplements to boost the immune system of the body. Garlic along with fatty acids and sea vegetables could go a long way in transmitting natural bacteria into the intestine for better digestion of food. They also provide Vitamin A along with C as antioxidants to eliminate the free radicals and boost the immunity by many notches. The victims of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) can make use of this.

Zinc plays an instrumental role in enhancing the immune system. Green drinks along with barleys help to eliminate the impurities in the blood and provide enough nutrients for the repairing of tissue. Patient should not consume alcohol, drugs or coffee because they can cause more harm than good. Taking stress can lead to impairment in the functionality of the blood cells. Alternatives therapies include YOGA and other exercises that reduce stress.

One could get healthy immune system when fighting with common variable immune deficiency (CVID) with the help of impeccable diet accompanied by adequate supplements. Fresh fruits and vegetables play a very important role in boosting the immune system of the body in order to fight with common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Raw foods are rich sources of enzymes that help in the digestion. Fiber would help to enhance thee resistance mechanism of the patient. Nuts, eggs, seeds and tofu can be consumed regularly in a small amount. Sweets in combination with sugar should be avoided. Vitamin supplements also boost the white cell count in the blood and also the capacity to thwart the common variable immune deficiency (CVID).

Both men and women are at equal risk for common variable immune deficiency (CVID). The common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is prevalent in both males and females with rate of one in 30,000 people. Medical consultants do not advice the test of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) for children under the age of 4. They might be symptoms of some other genetic problems. Sometimes, the weak system is due to the physiologic immaturity. Therefore, it should be diagnoses in the right age group that is 20 to 40.

IG therapy is instrumental in reducing the chances of bacterial infections but it cannot stop the progressive spread of diseases pertaining to lungs and intestine. Moreover, it is also ineffective for disorders including granulomatous disease, autoimmunity, lymphoid hyperplasia along with infiltrative syndrome and cancer. They are regarded as major reasons of fatality in patients suffering from common variable immune deficiency (CVID).

Majority of patients die due to respiratory failures or lymphoid or other infections. Sometimes, malignancy or the incessant spread of infection is the primary cause of death. The probability of a common variable immune deficiency (CVID) patient dying because of complications increases 11 times in comparison to the state when the disease is only at the infection stage.

For a time period of 20 years, 64% of the males might survive while 67% of the females would sail through. According to researchers, expected survivability for males would be 92% and for females is 94%. Fatality occurs due to other reasons.

Surgery in common variable immune deficiency (CVID) should be performed in combination with IG replacement treatment. A single dose should be given before surgery and another one after the operation.

Lung resection should be performed on a limited scale because if done extensively it can cause bronchiectasis. Surgery for ear, nose or even sinus infections should only be carried out if noninvasive methods are not effective.

Bone marrow and other types of organ transplants have not been successful in majority of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) cases.

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) treatment needs a holistic approach due to the presence of different phenotypes. It requires cooperation from a barrage of specialists include pneumologists, gastroenterologists, rheumatologists and many more. Besides the whole effort needs to be directed by physician and clinical immunologist. Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is considered as a chronic disorder that needs to be managed on a war footing.

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is diagnosed depending on detailed clinical findings accompanied by the symptoms and physical findings. Moreover, the physician also studies patient history in detail to detect patterns in the deterioration of the immune system. Family histories of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) and laboratory tests also play an important role in the diagnosis of common variable immune deficiency (CVID).

If the levels of certain immunoglobins are down, the individual might be suffering from common variable immune deficiency (CVID). In fact, the low level blood serum of (IgG) concentration level should range from 100mg/dl to about 500-1200 mg/dl in adult.

Patient might have lesser B cells circulating in the blood. Few off them might face hiccups in maturing to plasma capable of producing antibodies. The above mentioned symptoms are visible in the laboratory tests.

More tests are instrumental in finding the exact category to which the immune deficiency syndrome belongs. It might be B cell, helper T cell or a combination of both.

X ray analysis of the small intestine or even biopsy may unravel unnatural growth of the lymph nodes. The condition is termed as nodular lymphoid hyperplasia. A combination of Imaging tests, biopsy followed by examination of the cell through microscope would confirm the presence of granule shaped inflammatory nodules in various organ tissues.

Also Read:

• What is Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID): Causes, Symptoms, Signs
• Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID): Recovery, Prognosis, Prevention