Understanding the Lymphating System: Your body´s hidden hero!
The lymphatic system plays a vital role in your immune function and fluid balance. It gets rid of waste and pathogens through a network of vessels and nodes. However, when it falters issues like swelling and weakened immunity arise. In this blog, you can find its functions, common problems, and proven therapies like lymphatic drainage massage to keep it balanced and working well. Let´s have a closer look!
What Is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that works alongside your blood circulation. It carries a clear fluid called lymph. Key parts include:
- lymph vessels (like thin tubes)
- lymph nodes (small filters, like those in your neck or armpits)
- and organs such as the spleen and thymus
Think of it as a one-way street: lymph starts in tissues, flows through nodes for cleaning, and returns to the blood near your heart.
How it works?
Unlike blood circulation, which needs the heart’s pump to circulate, the lymphatic system depends on muscle contractions, breathing, gravity and movement to move/transport lymph fluid.
Lymp collects waste, proteins and fats from tissues, then filters it in lymph nodes for pathogens and debris-where immune cells destroy germs, viruces, infected cells, etc., and returns it to the bloodstream to be expelled by urine.
About 80% of lymph comes from the liver and intestines, carrying nutrients like fats into circulation.
Daily, it drains roughly 2-4 liters of fluid to prevent swelling and illnesses.
Lymphatic System:What are its main functions?
- Fluid balance and waste removal: Prevents edema by draining 3 liters of fluid daily from tissues.
- Enhance immunity: Lymph nodes house immune cells like lymphocytes that detect and destroy bacteria, viruces and even cancer cells, and produce antibodies.
- Nutrient transportation: It delivers fats and fat-soluble vitamins absorbed in the gut via lacteals.
- Without it, tissues would swell, and infections could run wild.
To keep in mind: Optimal function requires hydration, exercise, and nutrition. Take into acount that low physical activity reduces flow by up to 50%, so, don´t stop moving!
Swollen Lymph Nodes: Causes and What They Mean
Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) signal immune activation, often from infection, injury, or malignancy. Nodes enlarge as they filter harmful cells, becoming tender due to inflammation. Some reasons why might be:
- Infections: Viral (colds) or bacterial (strep throat) cause localised swelling besides other symptoms like fever and pain; ear pain and neck nodes suggest otitis.
- Cancer red flags: swollen armpit nodes with breast lumps indicate possible breast cancer.
- Other causes of inflammation: Autoimmune diseases, surgery (part of the lymphatic system removal), severe trauma (damage on the system), etc.
What affects the lymphatic system? why it fails?
Lymphatic stagnation leads to toxin buildup, reduced oxygenation, and edema, impairing cell regeneration. Risk factors include:
- Sedentary lifestyle: Reduces pumping action, it is like a clogged drain.
- Chronic inflammation or poor diet: Excess starch/sugar promotes protein accumulation in tissues.
- Stress: Elevate cortisol, slowing flow.
- Other factors: Tight clothing, emotional trauma, or primary/secondary lymphoedema from surgery/radiation.
- Surgery: (e.g., cancer removal) or injury can damage vessels, causing lymphoedema (persistent swelling)
- Dehydration: reduces lymph movement.
Lymphatic System and MLD:Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) uses light, rhythmic movement/strokes to stimulate flow toward nodes, reducing congestion. Proven benefits include:
- Reduces swelling: Clears puffy ankles/eyes.
- Aids healing: Speeds scar tissue recovery and post-op swelling.
- Boosts immunity: Increases lymphocyte trafficking by 15-30% .
- Help manage chronic conditions: Improves lymphoedema, sinusitis, autoimmune conditions acne, and cellulite via better detoxification.
- Bonus track: Relieves stress (lowers cortisol), balances fluids, and clears mastitis ducts.
- improves blood flow
To keep in mind: Combine MLD with exercise, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and hydration for best results.
Take action for your Lymphatic Health
Support your lymphatic system daily with movement, a nutrient-rich diet, and professional therapies like MLD. Consult a certified therapist who treats you better for personalised lymphoedema, lipoedema or other swelling related conditions management.
We hope this information is useful for you. Book your consultation now! If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mil Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!
References:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41423-023-01042-9
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557833/
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Lymphocyte
