Lymph is a liquid tissue of the body,contained in lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. In the human body, lymph is formed in an amount of 2-4 liters per day. It is a transparent liquid, the density of which reaches 1,026. The lymphatic reaction is alkaline, pH is 7.35-9.0. This liquid helps maintain the water balance and is able to wash pathological microorganisms from the tissues.
Composition of lymph
This liquid tissue circulates in the vesselslymphatic system and is found in almost all organs. Most of it in organs with a high permeability of blood vessels: in the liver, spleen, skeletal muscles, and also in the heart.
It is worth noting that its composition is unstable,because it depends on the organs and tissues from which it flows. The main constituents are water, decay products of organic compounds, lymphocytes and leukocytes. Unlike tissue fluid, lymph has a higher protein content. Its chemical composition resembles a blood plasma, but its viscosity is less.
It is worth noting that human lymph is devoid ofthrombocytes, but can be coagulated because it contains fibrinogen. In this case a loose clot of yellow color is formed. In addition, in this fluid, the factors of humoral immunity (lysozyme, properdin), as well as complement, have been identified, although the bactericidal capacity of lymph is much lower than that of blood.
The meaning of lymph
The following main functions of lymph can be noted:
• return of electrolytes, proteins and water from the interstitial space to the bloodstream;
• Normal lymphocirculation ensures the formation of maximally concentrated urine;
• Lymph carries many substances that are absorbed in the digestive system, including fats;
• individual enzymes (eg, lipase or histamine) can enter the blood only through the lymphatic system (metabolic function);
• the lymph takes away the red cells from the tissues that accumulate there after injuries, as well as toxins and bacteria (protective function);
• it provides communication between organs and tissues, as well as the lymphoid system and blood;
• maintaining a constant microenvironment of cells, i.e., homeostatic function.
It is worth noting that the lymph, tissue fluid and blood are closely related, therefore, provide homeostasis.
Lymph formation
The basis of this process is filtration, diffusion, osmosis and the difference in hydrostatic pressure, which is recorded in the capillaries and in the extracellular fluid.
How does lymph form?In this process, the degree of permeability of the lymphatic vessels is of great importance. Thus, particles of various sizes pass through the walls of the lymphatic capillaries in two main ways:
1. Intercellular, when highly dispersed particles, the size of which reaches 10 nm - 10 microns, pass through the extracellular cracks.
2. Through the endothelium, such transport of substances is associated with their direct movement with the help of micropinocytosis vesicles and bubbles.
It is worth noting that these paths work simultaneously.
If you answer the question "how is lymph formed,"It is worth remembering oncotic pressure. Thus, high hydrostatic blood pressure promotes the formation of lymph, and high oncotic pressure inhibits this process. Fluid filtration takes place in the capillaries, while it returns to the venous bed, since there is a difference in pressure on the venous and arterial end of the capillaries.
It is worth noting that the permeability of lymphocapillariesvaries depending on the functional state of the organs, as well as under the action of various mechanical, chemical, and also humoral or nervous factors. The rate of lymph formation and its volume depends on the relationship between the systemic and lymphatic circulation. So, if the minute volume of blood circulation is 6 liters, then 15 ml of fluid is filtered through the blood capillaries, 12 ml of which is reabsorbed back, but 5 ml remains in the interstitial space, after which it returns to the bloodstream through the lymphatic vessels.
To better understand how and where lymph is formed, one should know the structural features of the lymphatic system.
Features of the organization of the lymphatic system
The initial link is lymphatic capillaries.They are located in all tissues and organs. They are not only in the brain and spinal cord, eyeballs and in the inner ear, as well as in the epithelium of the skin, spleen, bone marrow, placenta.
Lymphokapillary able to unite, forming lymphocapillary nets and larger lymphatic vessels, which have three membranes:
• internal - consists of cells called endotheliocytes;
• medium - contains cells of smooth muscle tissue;
• external - connective tissue sheath.
It should be noted that the lymphatic vessels havevalves. Thanks to them, the movement of lymph occurs only in one direction - from the periphery to the center. As a rule, the lymphatic vessels from the muscles and organs come out from the blood vessels and are called deep.
Important components of the lymphaticsystems are lymph nodes. They perform the function of a filter and provide immune protection to the body. The lymph nodes are located near the large blood vessels, usually in groups, may be superficial or located in the internal cavities of the body. They accumulate and excrete viruses and bacteria, as well as foreign particles. When an overload occurs, the lymph nodes grow and become painful, which indicates excessive lymph contamination. In the groin lymph nodes, as a rule, increase with infection in the pelvis or legs. The inflammatory process can also be associated with allergic reactions, the presence of benign cysts or after overstretching the muscles.
It must be said that in the lymphatic system there are also specific lymphostvols and straits, through which lymph flows from various parts of the body and internal organs.
Features of lymph movement
Approximately about 1 hour goes to lymphatic vessels.180 ml of lymph, up to 4 liters of this fluid can pass through the thoracic lymph duct per day. She subsequently returns to the common bloodstream. Knowing how the lymph is formed, it is worth becoming familiar with how it moves through the body.
Since lymph is formed in the lymphcapillaries, the more intensive filtration of fluid from the small blood vessels leads to the acceleration of its formation and to an increase in the speed of its movement. Among the factors that increase lymph formation are the following:
• high hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries;
• high functional activity of organs;
• high capillary permeability;
• the introduction of hypertonic solutions.
Что же обеспечивает дальнейшее ее движение?Lymph is formed from tissue fluid. In this case, the main force that contributes to its movement from the place of formation to the confluence of the neck veins is the rhythmic contraction of the lymphangions.
Features of the structure of lymphangions. Other mechanisms of movement of the lymph
Лимфангионом называют трубчатые образования, having valves and muscular "cuff". These formations can be called peculiar lymphatic hearts. So, they accumulate lymph, which leads to stretching of the "cuff". In this case, the distal valve of the lymphangion closes, and the proximal, on the contrary, opens. As a result, the lymph moves to the next lymphangion (and so on until it flows into the venous system).
If we talk about the structure of the walls of the lymphangions,they are represented by adrenergic fibers that modulate spontaneous rhythmic contractions. The smooth muscles of the lymphangion are also capable of contraction, which leads to an increase in pressure in the lymphatic vessels and lymph flow into the bloodstream. Some hormones, biologically active substances (for example, histamine), as well as changes in the concentration of metabolic compounds and high temperature can affect this process.
The described mechanism of lymph movement ismain, but there are minor factors. So, when you inhale, the lymph flows out of the thoracic lymphatic channel more intensively, and when you exhale, this process slows down. Due to the movements of the diaphragm, the tanks of this strait shrink and stretch periodically, which contributes to the further movement of the lymph.
На интенсивность лимфотока также влияет ритмичное contraction of organs (heart and intestines), which leads to a more active transition of tissue fluid into the lumen of capillaries. Contractions of the skeletal muscles that surround the lymphatic vessels are also capable of squeezing the lymph, since they contribute to its mechanical movement, as well as increase the contractility of the lymphangions that are located in the muscle fiber. Due to this, the movement of the lymph through the vessels accelerates.
Congestion in the lymphatic system
Lymphatic failure isviolation of the formation or movement of lymph. Many diseases are accompanied by disorders in the lymphatic system, which is often crucial in the progression of the pathological process.
If there is insufficient lymph circulationcopes with its main task - the withdrawal of metabolites from the tissues of the body with sufficient speed. In this case, the mechanical insufficiency of lymph circulation can be of a general or regional nature.
Lymph congestion is manifested by various symptoms, which depends on a number of factors:
• from the zone in which lymphostasis develops;
• on the characteristics of the lymphatic network;
• on the age of the patient;
• the rate at which lymphatic insufficiency develops.
Violation of lymph flow leads to the accumulation of toxicproducts. In case of damage to the lymphatic vessels, thrombus occurs, which, as a rule, consist of leukocytes and fibrin. They are retained by regional lymph nodes, so they do not pose a danger.
It is worth noting that lymphostasis is especially dangerous wheninfectious pathologies and malignant diseases, as it causes generalization of the lesion and the appearance of retrograde metastases (spread against lymph flow).
General clinical manifestation of failurelymphatic circulation are edema. Lymph congestion is accompanied by tissue hypoxia, disorders of metabolic processes and water-electrolyte balance, as well as dystrophic and sclerotic phenomena. With a general stagnation of the lymph, varicose changes in the lymphatic vessels, hypertrophy of their muscle fibers, as well as sclerosis of the intine, changes in valves develop.
Violation of lymph coagulation
It is known that in the lymph there is almost allcomponents that are responsible for the processes of coagulation, coagulation and fibrinolysis, therefore, intravascular coagulation is characteristic not only of blood vessels, but also of lymphatic vessels. At the same time, tissue coagulation factors affect not only hemostasis, but also vascular permeability and interstitial transport of tissue fluid. In this case, the mechanisms that cause blood clotting, can provoke similar phenomena in the lymphatic capillaries, vessels and nodes.
On violation of lymph coagulation during developmentThrombosis is virtually unknown. There are experimental data that confirm that the quantitative changes in the blood and lymph may differ slightly, but their direction is identical. In addition, it is known that thrombosis is accompanied by a slight slowdown in the flow of lymph from the drained thoracic lymphatic flow, and the formation of a venous thrombus is accompanied by marked changes in the blood and lymph. This pattern indicates that there is every reason to not only theoretically study the features of the coagulation processes in the lymphatic system, but also to use them in clinical practice.
Cleansing lymph: indications
При нарушении нормальной работы лимфатической The system a significant amount of harmful compounds accumulates in the extracellular space. In this case, the lymph becomes contaminated, leading to the development of lymphostasis. This condition is accompanied by an increase in the load on the organs, especially on the liver, kidneys and intestines. To prevent the damaging effects of toxins, it is necessary to provide lymphatic drainage and a constant outflow of intercellular fluid.
The following conditions are indications for cleaning the lymphatic system:
• insufficient detoxification of the body due to disruption in the liver and intestines (hepatitis, colitis, dysbiosis, constipation and bile stasis);
• frequent colds;
• chronic infection of the pelvic organs (for example, cystitis, adnexitis or endometritis);
• intestinal infections or other pathologies that are accompanied by significant intoxication;
• skin diseases;
• allergic lesions (eg, neurodermatitis, eczema, or atopic dermatitis);
• conditions accompanied by massive tissue damage and absorption of degradation products into the bloodstream (injuries, burns and fractures);
• circulatory disorders due to blood loss, thrombosis, embolism;
• endocrine pathologies, especially obesity, diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease.
The main methods of cleansing lymph
Before you clean the lymph, you should consult with your doctor, who will determine possible contraindications and help you choose the best option.
You need to take 900 ml of orange juice, the samethe amount of grapefruit juice, as well as 200 ml of fresh lemon juice. All this should be diluted with 2 liters of melt water. In the morning, do not eat breakfast, make an enema of 2 liters of water, in which you first need to add 2 tbsp. l apple cider vinegar. After setting the enema, you should drink 100 ml of water in which Glauber's salt is diluted, immediately take a hot shower, then drink 200 ml of a pre-prepared mixture of citrus juices and melted water. In the future, you should drink all 4 liters of this mixture (in portions, 100 ml every half hour).
Lymphatic cleansing with this method is necessarythree days. It should be remembered that after that you can not suddenly move on to the usual diet, the diet should be expanded gradually. It is recommended to drink juices, eat fruits, boiled vegetables and cereals.
Method No. 2. Helps to clear the lymph, remove toxins andsaturate the body with vitamins. In the morning you should do a cleansing enema. Then you need to eat one grated lemon with steamed peel in combination with honey and fruit sugar. Every day you need to consume one more lemon, bringing the amount to 15. Then their amount should be reduced, eating 1 less lemon each day.
Method number 3. Need to take lemons, beets, carrots, pomegranates(all 2 kg), squeeze the juice, mix with honey and take 10 days on an empty stomach 50 ml, then take a five-day break. Such courses should be repeated until the end of the prepared mixture, which should be stored in the refrigerator with the lid tightly closed.
Method No. 4. Tibetan doctors are recommended to clean the lymphin the following way. You need to take 200 ml of fresh carrot and beet juice at a ratio of 4: 1 daily before meals. At the same time, an infusion of celandine should be taken according to the appropriate scheme: 1 drop on an empty stomach in the morning, 2 drops before dinner, 3 drops in the evening for dinner, etc., bringing the dose to 15 drops, and then reducing the amount of infusion to the initial dosing ( up to 1 drop).
To cook this infusion, the herb celandineyou should chop and squeeze the juice, then strain it. After that, for every 450 mg of juice you need to add 70 ml of alcohol. The resulting infusion should be stored in the refrigerator.
It should be noted that this method of cleaning the lymphatic system is also favorable in the presence of hypertension in patients, diseases of the digestive system, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and osteochondrosis.
Conclusion
To summarize, we can say that the lymph isfluid that surrounds and washes all cells of the human body. The primary task of lymph - cleaning tissues and organs from decay products. Lymph circulation is closely related to the blood circulation and ensures an optimal physical condition of a person and a high level of his vital energy.
Как образуется лимфа?As mentioned above, this is a rather complicated process that goes through several schemes and depends on many factors. Cleansing the body due to lymph is that it takes excess fluid and metabolic products from the intercellular space, and transfers them to the lymph nodes, which are "filtration stations." In addition to cleaning the body, lymph performs a protective function, because it helps get rid of foreign agents and pathogens.
Lymph is an important metabolic regulator.processes in the body, as well as a factor in the nutrition of cells. In cases of impaired lymph formation or slowing down of its circulation, stagnation of the intercellular fluid develops, leading to the appearance of edema. It should also be noted that the slow circulation of lymph leads to excessive fatigue, as well as to the inertia of vital processes, which can later cause various kinds of diseases and premature cell aging.
Considering such lymph functions, it is recommendedclean it at least twice a year using appropriate methods. This purification allows the body to get rid of excess and harmful substances and function at an optimal level.
