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DERMAL
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
By Gay Wardle
There should be a strong focus on the circulatory system during our consultations. When thinking about their circulatory system, most people think of the blood that is circulating throughout their veins and yes, this is definitely one of the systems, however, there are two other systems that need to be understood. These include the lymphatic system and pulmonary circulation. The lymphatic system meanders its way around the body in one direction moving from the toes to the auxiliary region and then through to the cranial region of the body as well as the auxiliary. The pulmonary circulation is where the fresh oxygen we breathe in enters the blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide is released from the blood. These three different circulatory systems are all connected via the blood supply.
So how does it all work? Blood circulation starts when the heart relaxes between two heartbeats: The blood flows from both atria which are the upper two chambers of the heart, into the ventricles which are the lower two chambers. When this happens, they expand. The next stage of this incredible system is when both ventricles pump the blood into the large arteries - this is called the ‘ejection period’. In systemic circulation, the left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood into the main artery called the aorta. The blood then travels from the main artery to larger and smaller arteries and into the capillary network. Throughout this journey, the blood releases oxygen and nutrients while collecting carbon dioxide and waste products. The blood then becomes low in oxygen and is then collected in veins and travels to the right atrium and into the right ventricle. Enter the pulmonary circulation. The right ventricle pumps low-oxygen blood into the pulmonary artery, which then branches off into smaller arteries and capillaries. The capillaries form a fine network around the pulmonary vesicles, these vesicles are called arterioles. Arterioles are grape-like air sacs at the end of the airways. This is where carbon dioxide is released from the blood into the air inside the pulmonary vesicles enabling fresh 34
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oxygen to enter the bloodstream. When we breathe out, carbon dioxide leaves our bodies. Oxygen-rich blood travels through the pulmonary veins and the left atrium into the left ventricle. The next heartbeat starts a new cycle of the systemic circulation. The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system and acts as the body`s own sewerage system. This part of the circulatory system is important in maintaining fluid levels in our body tissues. It does this by removing fluids that leak out of our blood vessels. This fluid is known as interstitial fluid and transfers to a lymph vessel where it is known as lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic system is important for the optimal functioning of our general and specific immune responses. The lymph nodes monitor the lymph flowing into them and produce cells and antibodies which protect our body from infection and disease. The spleen and thymus are lymphatic organs that monitor the blood and detect and respond to pathogens and malignant cells. Another important role of the lymphatic system is the role it plays in the absorption of fats from the intestine. The lymphatic system relies on the blood circulation to move around the body, it needs movement to move as it does not have its own heartbeat. If it becomes impaired in any way, the risk of lymphoedema can increase as well as diseases such as Crohn`s.
So why are these systems so important to us skin nurds? 1. If there is dysfunction to any one of these three systems, the skin will age at a much faster pace than normal. 2. The body relies on all three of these systems to repair itself. 3. If there is a wound or inflammation the body needs all three to be functioning so that it can heal. 4. Scar tissues will increase if any one of these systems is impaired.
