The following material is assembled from various sources freely available. It is not intended as a comprehensive study of Anatomy, Biology, Endocrinology or any other medical field.
Lymphatic System
Facts & Functions
The Lymphatic System is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. Its primary function is to transport lymph – a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells – throughout the body.
The system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, similar to the circulatory system’s veins and capillaries. These vessels are connected to lymph nodes where lymph is filtered. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system.
There are hundreds of these nodes in the human body. They are located deep inside the body (around the lungs and heart) or closer to the surface (under the arm or groin).
Lymph – a clear, colourless fluid. Plasma (see Blood Components) leaves the body’s cells once it has delivered its nutrients and removed debris. Most of this fluid returns to the blood circulation through tiny blood vessels and continues as venous blood. The remainder becomes lymph.
Unlike blood which flows through the body in a continued loop, lymph flows in only 1 direction — upward toward the neck. Lymphatic vessels connect to 2 subclavian veins on either sides of the neck near the collarbones, and the fluid re-enters the circulatory system.
Spleen – the largest lymphatic organ, located on the left side of the body just above the kidney. It controls the amount of red blood cells and blood storage in the body, and helps to fight infection. If the spleen detects potentially dangerous bacteria, viruses or other micro-organisms in the blood, it creates white blood cells (lymphocytes) to fight along with the lymph nodes against invaders. The lymphocytes produce antibodies to kill the foreign micro-organisms and stop infections from spreading. Humans can live without a spleen, although people who have lost their spleen due to disease or injury are more prone to infections.
Thymus – a small organ located in the chest just above the heart. It stores immature lymphocytes and prepares them to become active T cells, which destroy infected or cancerous cells.
Tonsils – large clusters of lymphatic cells in the pharynx, they are an essential part of the body’s immune system. They fight bacteria and viruses entering through the mouth or nose, sometimes becoming infected themselves.
In the past, tonsillectomies were performed very often with undue haste. SoundWaves Health Clinic has been very successful in killing the bacteria and viruses causing tonsillitis – painlessly and non-surgically!
Diseases
When bacteria are recognized in the lymph fluid, the lymph nodes produce more infection-fighting white blood cells, which can cause swelling. Swollen nodes are often felt in the neck, underarms and groin.
The majority of enlarged lymph nodes are not dangerous. They are the body’s way of fighting infection. If the lymph nodes remain enlarged after the infection, there may be cause for concern. Diseases of the lymphatic system are usually diagnosed when lymph nodes become enlarged enough to be felt. Conventional medicine assesses enlarged nodes with CT or MRI scans e.g., often following up with a biopsy to check for cancer or infection.
However, at SoundWaves Health Clinic we can detect abnormal lymph nodes at a much earlier stage – even before enlargement sets in! The source of the symptoms are identified, resulting in timeous treatment with our non-invasive, harmless Frequency Therapy. No surgery, no disfigurement.
Common symptoms of lymphatic disorders include:
– Swelling of the arm or groin
– Weight loss
– Fever
– Night sweats
Lymphadenopathy – enlargement of the lymph nodes, usually caused by bacterial or viral infections; infected skin wounds, or cancer. In some areas of the body the enlarged lymph nodes are palpable, while others are too deep to feel. They very often are not easily identified on CT or MRI scans.
Lymphedema – swelling due to lymph node blockage. When a person has had surgery and/or radiation to remove a cancer, the lymphatic flow back to the heart can result in swelling (lymphedema). This most commonly occurs in women who have had a mastectomy. Part of the operation involves removing lymph nodes in the armpit. The more lymph nodes are removed, the higher the risk of chronic swelling and pain due to lymphedema in the arm.
However, at SoundWaves Health Clinic we can also relieve these post-op symptoms: safely, painlessly, and best of all – non-chemically!
Inflammatory or Autoimmune conditions can occur when a person’s immune system is inactive, which may also cause enlargement of lymph nodes i.e. in case of Lupus.
Lymphoma – cancer of the lymph nodes, occurs when lymphocytes grow and multiply uncontrollably. Examples are Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the more common Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Castleman Disease – a group of inflammatory disorders causing lymph node enlargement and resulting in multiple-organ dysfunction. While not specifically a cancer, it is similar to Lymphoma and therefore often treated with chemotherapy. It can be unicentric (one lymph node) or multicentre (multiple lymph nodes).
Lymphangiomatosis – a disease involving multiple cysts or lesions formed from lymphatic vessels, possibly caused by genetic mutation.
SoundWaves Health Clinic’s scanners not only differentiate between swollen nodes and tumours….we can treat them successfully with our harmless Frequency Therapy!