The Lymphatic System

What is the lymphatic system?

Many people don’t know about a very important system in the body, the lymphatic system, which is vital to a person’s immunity. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, veins, and organs that work together to return lymph, which is a colorless watery fluid, to your circulatory system. This system removes toxins and waste products from the body and removes surplus fluid that drains from cells and tissues throughout the body and sends it to the circulation. The lymph fluid is then recirculated throughout the body.

Why is it important?

A healthy lymphatic system helps with many important body processes, such as returning fluid to the circulation, filtering lymph, filtering blood, eliminating pollutants from the body, and fighting infections. The lymphatic system collects excess fluid and drains it into the bloodstream. If the lymphatic system did not remove surplus fluid from the tissues, lymph fluid would accumulate in the body, causing a swelling reaction.

The lymphatic system also filters lymph. Cancer cells might adhere to neighboring lymph nodes if they break free from a tumor. For this reason, when evaluating how far cancer has spread, doctors will first examine the lymph nodes. The system also takes out various impurities. The system assists in the removal and disposal of these pollutants through breath, sweat, urine and bowel movements.

How does it work?

The lymphatic system is made up of many parts. One of these is lymph, a collection of excess fluid drained from cells and tissues but not reabsorbed by the capillaries. Lymph also carries white blood cells that fight infections, known as lymphocytes. This lymph fluid is moved through lymphatic vessels. These vessels make up a network of tubes that transport lymph. Lymphatic veins collect and filter lymph as it moves toward bigger vessels known as collecting ducts. Lymphatic vessels function similarly to your veins. They run at extremely low pressure and have fluid flowing in one direction using a set of valves. The lymphatic vessels also collect the fluid at lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes are bean-shaped glands that monitor and purify lymph as it passes through them. There are around 600 lymph nodes distributed throughout your body. Damaged cells and malignant cells are filtered out by the nodes. Lymphocytes and other immune system cells are stored by the lymph nodes. These lymph nodes also generate and store lymphocytes and other immune system cells, which fight and eliminate bacteria and other pathogens in the fluid. 

What organs make up the lymphatic system?

There are also a number of organs that make up the lymphatic system. The thymus holds white blood cells that fight off invaders. There are also tonsils and adenoids in the mouth, which trap pathogens from your food and the air you breathe. These are your body’s initial line of defense against invading organisms. One organ that is more well-known is the appendix. This organ includes lymphoid tissue and can kill germs before entering the gut and breaking the wall during absorption. A large number of people suffer from appendicitis, in which the appendix is inflamed and must be surgically removed.

What is the function of the thymus in the lymphatic system?

At birth, the thymus is the largest organ of the lymphatic system. It plays a vital role in building the immune system. The thymus is also considered as the “school“ of T-lymphocytes or T-Cells, because it teaches this subgroup of lymphocytes to differentiate between the body’s own and outside immune cells.

How does the spleen work in the lymphatic system?

The spleen, located in the upper left part of the abdomen under the ribcage, works as part of the lymphatic system to protect the body, clearing worn-out red blood cells and other foreign bodies from the bloodstream and to help fight off infections like pneumonia and meningitis.

What are problems that can occur within the lymphatic system?

There are also other problems that can occur with your lymphatic system. Many diseases can impact the lymphatic system’s channels, glands, and organs. Some occur before birth, while others occur throughout childhood. Further, others emerge as a result of illness or damage. The most frequent lymphatic system illness is lymph node enlargement, which is known as lymphadenopathy. There is also swelling due to lymphatic obstruction, which is known as lymphedema. Infection, inflammation, or malignancy are the most common causes of lymphatic system disorders.

How do you know if your lymphatic system is clogged?

There are several tell tale signs that lymphatic fluid is not moving effectively and that toxins are building up in your body.

• Bloating
• Swelling in your fingers/rings fitting more tightly
• Brain fog
• Digestive issues
• Parasites
• Sinus infections
• Skin problems/dry and or itchy skin
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Chronic fatigue
• Morning soreness or stiffness
• Weight gain
• Cold hands and feet
• Depression
• Constipation
• Worsened allergies
• Food sensitivities
• Unexplained injuries
• Increased colds and flu

Unlike the circulatory system, in which the heart acts as a pump, this system has no pump.  But there are certain things that you can do to activate your lymphatic system and get it flowing and removing toxins again.

How can you increase the flow of the lymph through your lymphatic system?

Our next podcast episode will be on this topic.

The human body is made up of several organs and glands that are responsible for excreting poisons from the body. The lymphatic system refers to this network of organs and glands. Unfortunately, most people’s lymphatic systems get blocked and do not work correctly. A person’s lymphatic system can get out of balance due to dietary inadequacies, a high intake of processed foods, and a lack of physical activity. 

Dr. Wirth will help you discover the root cause of your health challenges and deliver a personalized treatment plan to restore proper body function and provide hope to achieve your best future.

Your body functions best when you balance the basic elements of health. They are as follows: alignment/posture, nutrition, movement, rest and the belief your body can heal itself once the nerve interference is removed. When all your systems are functioning properly your body will be able to heal itself in what may seem like miraculous ways.

At STANCE Chiropractic we follow the groundbreaking principles of Postural Neurology. Dr. Wirth will evaluate you thoroughly to understand what’s going on from the standpoint of the cranial nerves that control your balance and posture. You will learn the process of Neuro-Rehabilitation movements both in the office and at home.

Many of our patients experience life-long results as they implement small changes every day and begin to move better, live better and achieve things they never thought possible.