Have you ever wondered about the system inside our bodies that works like little soldiers, fighting a big battle to save us from diseases? Well, our bodies have an amazing defense system. A very important part of this is the 'Complement System' that we are going to talk about today. Although the name is a bit strange, it does a great job!

So, what really happens with this complement system?

Simply put, the complement system is like the front line of defense in our body's immune system. Think of it like an army protecting our country. So, the complement system is like a special force in that army. It is the first to go into battle. It has several main functions:

• It recognizes and targets things that are harmful to our bodies, such as disease-causing germs (e.g. bacteria). It's like recognizing an enemy.
• When there is a wound or infection somewhere in the body, it helps to heal that area. That is, when there is a wound , it swells and becomes red, right? That process, that is, it also helps to control ' inflammation '. This is a good thing when needed.
• It removes damaged cells from our own body, making way for new cells to grow. It's like removing broken things and making room for new things.
• Foreign, that is, germs from outside, are removed from our body.

The English word 'complement' means 'to complement' or 'to help'. So this system gets its name because it helps the other defense cells in our body, making their work more successful.

Who are the members of this compliment system?

Okay, now let's see who's in this defense force. This complement system is made up of special proteins . We call these plasma proteins . These are in our blood. They can only be seen clearly if you look at them under a microscope. Just imagine, there are about 50 plasma proteins like these in our body that belong to this complement system! Each of them has a special job.

How do these proteins start working?

This is a very interesting story. These proteins are normally dormant in our bodies, meaning they are 'off'. Like they are sleeping. But, if there is an emergency, for example, if we get an injury to our body, or if a disease-causing bacteria enters, that's when these people wake up, meaning they become 'on'. The way this happens is very strange. It 's like a game of dominoes.Have you ever seen a row of dominoes and when one falls, it falls and knocks over the next one, and the next one falls and knocks over the next one... That's what's happening here, too. When one protein is activated, it goes on and activates the next protein. The next one, and then the next one... And so on, the proteins are activated one after the other. We call this chain reaction a 'cascade' . When each protein is activated, it does its job, and the next protein is activated. Very organized, isn't it?

Where is this complement system located in our body?

These important proteins are made in our liver . They are made there, then they enter our blood, and they travel throughout our body. They also go to our tissues. That means, these guards patrol almost everywhere in our body, looking for problems somewhere.

How can chaos arise in the complement system?

Now you know that this complement system is very important for our body's defense. So, what happens if there is a defect or a mistake in this? Imagine what will happen if our security forces are short of soldiers or if they do not have the right weapons? The country will become insecure, right? That's how it is. Problems can arise in two ways: 1. If complement proteins do not work properly, or if there are not enough of them (complement deficiency): If these proteins are low or if they do not work properly, our immune system becomes weak. Then we are called 'immunocompromised' . People like this can get infections frequently. Sometimes these infections can be very serious. An example is a dangerous condition called sepsis . 2. If complement proteins work too much (overactivity): Sometimes these proteins become overactive. They are activated frequently and unnecessarily. What happens then is that our own healthy cells can also be damaged. This can lead to various autoimmune conditions , where our own immune system attacks our own body, and inflammatory conditions . Some of the conditions that can involve the complement system in this way are:

• Allergic asthma
• Anemia ( also called anemia)
• Some types of cancer , for example , leukemia , lymphoma
• Kidney disease
• Macular degeneration(This is an eye disease)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (this is a disease that causes swelling and pain in the joints)

What are the symptoms that can identify a problem with the complement system?

If the complement system is not working properly, we say that our immune system is weakened. Then, some symptoms may appear in our body. If these things happen frequently, it is very important to see a doctor and seek advice. The most common symptoms are:

• Frequent infections. If you get colds and flus frequently, or if you get them once and they take a long time to heal.
• Feeling tired all the time (Fatigue). A feeling of not being able to get rid of the tiredness even after sleeping well.
• Joint pain.
• Swelling/inflammation in various parts of the body.

What tests are available to check the health of my complement system?

If you are frequently sick, or have any of the symptoms mentioned above, your doctor may decide to check your complement system. This is usually done with a blood test .

• Complement test: This involves taking a sample of your blood and looking at the amount of complement proteins in it and how well they are working. Some proteins may be looked at individually or as a whole. This can help your doctor find out if your complement system is weak or overactive.

What you can learn from this test:

• Why do you get infections so often?
• Is there an autoimmune disease, and if so, how effective is the treatment for it?
• How is the health of your immune system in general?

In addition, if a problem with the immune system is suspected, doctors may perform other tests. For example:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This provides information about the different types of cells in the blood (red cells, white cells, platelets).
• Immunoglobulin (antibody) levels: These are also important proteins in our immune system.

What are the treatments for diseases of the complement system?

If there is a problem with the complement system, treatment depends on controlling the symptoms and treating the underlying cause (i.e., whether the complement system is defective or overactive) . Some of the commonly used treatments include:

• Antibiotics: Treat bacterial infections if present.
• Chemotherapy: This can be used to alter the function of the immune system in some cancers or autoimmune diseases.
• Immunosuppressive therapy: This treatment is given to control the complement system if it is overactive.
• Blood or plasma transfusion: If there is a deficiency of complement proteins, this method is used to provide them externally.
• Vaccination: It is important to get vaccinated, especially to protect against infections like pneumococcal disease , as these infections can be more severe in people with weakened complement systems.

How do I keep my complement system healthy?

Actually, we can't directly change the way the complement system works. It's something that happens naturally in our bodies. But, we can help keep our entire immune system healthy. Then it's easier for the complement system to do its job properly. So, what can we do?

• Be as careful as possible about injuries and accidents.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Include more fruits, vegetables, and clean water in your diet.
• Regular exercise. Even just walking for 30 minutes a day is good.
• Practicing good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands frequently and staying clean.
• Getting enough sleep. Try to sleep at least 7-8 hours a day.

Just like your best friend helps you with everything, the complement system helps our body's cells defend themselves from external enemies and dangers. So, by taking good care of your entire body by sleeping well, staying clean, eating a balanced diet, and taking good care of your body, you can keep your complement system healthy.

The most important things we need to remember

Okay, so I think you now have a good idea about this 'Complement System' that we talked about today. Simply put:

• The complement system is a very important part of our immune system, like little guards in our bodies.
• This is made up of special proteins (plasma proteins) .
• Its main job is to protect our bodies from disease-causing germs, injuries, and to help heal by removing damaged cells.
• Deficiency or overactivity of this function can cause various health problems.
• It is important to seek medical advice if you are experiencing frequent infections, excessive fatigue, or joint pain .
• Keeping our entire immune system healthy also helps the complement system.

Don't worry, there are treatments that can help manage these conditions. The most important thing is to see a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect there is a problem and get the right advice and treatment. Your doctor is the best person to help you.