Choose one concept in our lesson today, give a brief explanation about the concept and cite how would you apply this learning in your everyday life.
The Lymphatic System is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood based on its importance and role in the human body. However, if this mechanism failed, we might pass away within 24 to 48 hours. When our glands swell, which is an indication that our lymph nodes are actively battling an infection, we can tell that our lymphatic system is functioning. Though it may not feel pleasant, our body is simply doing its job.
Thus, one concept I want to bring up is how the said system responds when protecting our body - inflammation. This is a nonspecific, defensive response of the body to tissue damage. Among the conditions that may produce inflammation are pathogens, abrasions, chemical irritations, disturbances of cells, and extreme temperatures. It can also cause a loss of function in the injured area as it attempts to dispose of microbes, toxins, or foreign material at the site of injury, to prevent their spread to other tissues and to prepare the site for restoration.
Moreover, inflammation, traditionally thought of only as the body's healing response, is now under close examination as a major factor in many disorders. Inflammation and arthritis have long been associated, but heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, and Alzheimer's disease are among the conditions where the inflammatory response is becoming increasingly prominent. Preliminary studies suggesting a probable relationship between inflammation and dietary choices, physical exercise, and other lifestyle factors are also ongoing and have really intriguing implications.
Therefore, it is important that we understand how this works as time-limited increases in inflammation are important for promoting wound healing and recovery and for limiting the spread of communicable infections. In summary, inflammation is undoubtedly not always undesirable and may even be vitally necessary for survival, particularly in situations involving damage and infection but let us not forget when the inflammatory response does not shut off and goes from being temporary, localized, and protective to being chronic and harmful. Nevertheless, a daily proper lifestyle still plays a role and so we must be conscious and weary of the actions we do for our bodies.
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References:
Defending against disease with an anti-inflammation lifestyle. Anti-Inflammation Lifestyle - Brigham and Women's Hospital. (n.d.). https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/meals-and-nutrition/bwh-nutrition-and-wellness-hub/special-topics/anti-inflammatory-lifestyle
Tortora, G., & Derrickson, B. (2014). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 14th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.