6 minute read
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. 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.
Symptoms that can indicate poor circulation!
If someone presents to you with puffiness hands, feet, arms, legs and face then ask some of these leading questions:
Do you ever feel numbness and tingling in your hands and feet? - This happens when there is restricted blood flow to the extremities of the body.
Do your hands and feet feel cold and you cannot seem to get them warm? – If the blood and lymph are sluggish, temperature fluctuations will occur in the skin and nerve endings of the hands and feet.
Do you have joint and muscle cramping at night or even during the day? – Impaired circulation may cause pain in the legs, feet, arms and hands. Leg pain is often worse when a person sits or stands for long periods at a time.
How do you heal on your legs and feet especially? – Poor circulation affects the body`s ability to heal, which can lead to ulcers in the legs and feet. Ulcers may develop when blood pools in the veins of the legs, which causes swelling beneath the skin.
Do you have any varicose veins? – Poor circulation causes varicose veins, these veins make it harder for the blood to continue to circulate.
How is your digestive system – do you suffer from constipation or diarrhea? – Your digestive system relies on blood flow so that fatty deposits and bad bacteria does not accumulate in the digestive tract. Do you find it difficult to concentrate and remember things? – Poor circulation can have an impact on brain functioning which could contribute to memory loss and difficulty in concentrating.
Does your skin become pale at times? – If there is not enough blood that reaches tissues, the skin may appear pale or blue. If blood leaks from the capillaries the surrounding areas may appear a purple colour.
What are some of the causes?
Raynaud`s disease is a condition where blood vessels narrow. When the vessels narrow it restricts the blood flow which can cause numbness, tingling in the hands and feet as well as feeling cold in those areas. The condition worsens over time.
Pollution and smoking increase the risk of developing conditions that cause poor circulation. Pollution damages the walls of the blood vessels and causes plaque to build up in the veins.
Poor exercise or being overweight increases the risk of blood pressure and could be both poor circulation or increases in blood pressure.
Blood clots can restrict blood flowing to or from organs or tissues and in some cases, a clot can completely block the flow of blood and prevent healthy circulation.
Auto-immune diseases have a huge impact on the immune system where it becomes sluggish and the body as a whole has major dysfunctions.
Although alcohol is a vasodilator, excessive alcohol works as a vasoconstrictor which causes veins to tighten and constrict. Too much alcohol can cause damage to the brain, digestive system, kidneys and even the reproductive organs. Binge-drinking and long-term drinking can affect circulation severely and impact the overall health of a person.
So how can we help if someone presents with poor circulation?
Deep breathing exercises should be essential every day, encourage you, clients, to take part in this valuable exercise. Massaging will help with the circulatory systems though separate the techniques into massaging to move the blood and lymphatic massaging.
There are some amazing clinical treatments that can be performed using enzymes and other actives to increase blood flow.
Encourage your clients to exercise if they don’t do this already. Drink water to stop the blood from thickening.
Gut health should also be on the agenda.
Be aware that we are living in a time right now where we have to wear face masks, encourage your clients to change the masks often and wear a clean mask.
As skin therapists, we are delivering treatments that are advanced and that do cause inflammation therefore it is absolutely vital that we understand the three circulatory systems. Understanding and recognising impairment with the lymphatic system, pulmonary system and sluggish blood circulation can help prevent abnormal scar tissue formation.
