Let's explain the lymphatic system

 

Why is the Lymphatic System Important?

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Understanding the lymphatic system is critical for good health and providing appropriate patient care. It is a key component of the body's immunological and circulatory systems.   The lymphatic system is essential for combating infections, maintaining fluid balance, and eliminating toxins.

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My first reaction to being diagnosed with lymphoedema was 'lymph what?' Like many people I thought I knew about lymph nodes 'they are related to cancer, aren't they?

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Who remembers as a child their mother checking for swollen glands around their neck or jaw line to see if the area were swollen usually when you had a sore throat?  This action would determine if a trip to the GP was imminent for antibiotics, or you were packed off to school because Mum thought you weren't ill.  How many of us would know this simple action was checking part of the lymphatic system? Did you know these glands are your cervical lymph nodes? These are located in the neck area.

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I first learned about the lymphatic system when I was sixty years old and began to realise that there existed a disease known as lymphoedema. A network of lymph vessels connects clusters of lymph nodes located throughout the body that make up the lymphatic system. Our general health is affected by the quality of our lymphatic system.

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From the diagram see how the lymphatic system is connected to every aspect of our bodies.

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