Choose one concept from the lesson, explain briefly, and how you can apply it to everyday life.
Living in the city provides a greater health risk due to increased exposure to pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Consider the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) that can spread through liquid droplets from an infected person's mouth or nose. These viruses add to the affected person's respiratory problems and other issues.
With the situation above, one concept that comes up is the respiratory pump mechanism for lymph flow and the necessity for exercise to enhance one's lymphatic system. In contrast to the heart, the lymphatic system does not have its own pump; rather, lymph circulates through the respiratory and skeletal muscle pumps. By adjusting pressure during inhalation, the respiratory pump maintains lymph flow. When a person exercises, their body responds by rapidly breathing (inhaling and exhaling) in order to supply the body its needed oxygen. This enhances lymphatic circulation, increasing efficiency and efficacy in treating infections and foreign materials that enter the body, such as bacteria and cancer cells.
In relation to the COVID-19 infection, the World Health Organization urged that people maintain regular physical activity, including exercise (#HealthyAtHome - Physical Activity, n.d.), because a lack of it could increase susceptibility to the disease while also amplifying its negative effects in persons with comorbidities. Furthermore, immunization or vaccination against specific diseases alone does not provide us total protection. This emphasizes the significance of understanding how lymph flow works because it enables us to infer measures and activities to strengthen our lymphatic system, making us less susceptible to pathogens present in our environment and improving our quality of life.
References:
#HealthyAtHome - Physical activity. (n.d.). https://www.who.int/news-room/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/healthyathome/healthyathome---physical-activity
Steenkamp, L. et al. (2022). Small steps, strong shield: directly measured, moderate physical activity in 65 361 adults is associated with significant protective effects from severe COVID-19 outcomes. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 56(10), 568–577. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-105159