Although it seems that the human body is a whole, at its base, it is rather a complex system, a machine, which wears out over time. For this reason, we have organs and systems that take care of giving us the necessary energy to survive as a whole, and organs and systems working on the maintenance of the whole body. From the last type are also the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, tonsils and the entire lymphatic system.
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a network of organs and tissues designed to maintain the body. The activity of this system is to control the fluids in our body so as to ensure the proper functioning of the immune system. At a lower level, the lymphatic system is seen as a network of very thin lymph vessels, lymph nodes and two collecting ducts that collect the contents brought by the lymph vessels.
What is the role of lymph and the symptoms of a problematic lymphatic system?
Lymph is a fluid that ensures the transport of immune cells throughout the body so they can act where needed. Sometimes, however, there are blockages in the lymphatic system that prevent its proper functioning.
Among the symptoms of a problematic lymphatic system are the inflammation of the arms, legs, or fingers; a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the arms and legs; the difficulty to move; in some cases irritation and discomfort; thickening of the skin or severe swelling in certain areas.
Many of us will recognize the swollen hands and feet problem. It is caused by the improper functioning of the lymphatic system; is a problem called lymphedema. Lymphedema is about when parts of the body become inflamed from little to very much. The slight inflammation that most of us see in our hands and feet is caused either by office work that involves lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle or by jobs that involve standing for a long time (working in shops, boutiques, markets, and so on).
Why do we have swollen legs?
As said before, lymph is a fluid that circulates and must circulate throughout the body. In situations where our body stays in certain positions for long periods, tightness is created in certain places and stretches in others that prevent the lymph from circulating normaly. In the other situation, in which we stand for a long time, it is about gravity that pulls the fluids towards the legs, both lymph and blood and about an imbalance of muscular tension, because the legs muscles are tensed most of the time while in the upper body the muscular activity is not so intense. Thus the legs muscles will hold more fluids.
What should we do in these situations?
Because the lymph needs to move, to avoid lymphatic blockages and lymph imbalance in the body caused by lack of movement or standing too much, it is recommended to perform regular exercises for the functioning of the lymphatic system, dry brushing, alternative showers with hot and cold water, not to wear tight underwear, to do breathing exercises and to drink clean water.
Other causes of lymphatic system blockage
Sometimes lymphatic system problems occur for more serious reasons, namely, after removal or inflammation of lymphatic nodes, due to parasitic infections, severe traumas, surgery, or cancer treatment.
In these cases bringing the lymphatic system to an optimal level of functioning will depend on each problem. In situations with infections, we will most likely follow a treatment with antibiotics or antivirals recommended by the doctor together with physical exercises; in case of traumas, operations, or during and after radiation therapy for cancer, exercises will be done for the lymphatic system, dry brushing, massage, spa treatments and swimming if there are financial resources. These solutions will be adapted to each stage of physical recovery.
Conclusions:
The importance of the lymphatic system is not only traced by the immune system, it extends to many connected functions it contributes to, such as maintaining good external and internal physical appearance, fluid balance and the condition of other organs in the body, well-being, motivation and others.
We must not forget in the end that our body is an amalgam of chemicals whose balance must be maintained for both physical and mental well-being. From this point of view, the lymphatic system can be located at the top of the pyramid of our body’s systems responsible for our physical and mental well-being.
Sources:
Absolute Medical Inc. (2021). About Lymphedema. Absolute Medical Inc., https://www.absolutemedical.com/about-lymphedema/.
Cleveland Clinic. (2021, 01 01). Lymphatic system. Retrieved 09 16, 2021, from Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21199-lymphatic-system
Douketis James. (2020). Overview of the Lymphatic System. Merck manual consumer version, https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders/lymphatic-disorders/overview-of-the-lymphatic-system.
Hoffman Matthew. (2021). Picture of the spleen. WebMd, https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-spleen.
Mayo Clinic. (2017). Lymphedema. Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/symptoms-causes/syc-20374682.
Medline Plus. (2021). Lymphatic obstruction. Medline Plus, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001117.htm.