STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF BLOOD VESSELS

INTRODUCTION
The main transport systems are the circulatory systems, in which substances are dissolved or suspended in liquid and carried from one part of the body to another in a system of tubes called vessels.

There are two main circulatory systems:
The blood circulatory system (sometimes called the cardiovascular system) and the lymphatic system.
The blood circulatory system is the main method of transporting oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and metabolic breakdown products, cells of the immune and other defence systems, chemical messengers (hormones), other important substances (e.g. clotting factors).

The lymphatic system drains extra-cellular fluid from the tissues returning it to the blood circulatory system after passage through lymph nodes. This system is also involved in absorption of nutrients from the gut.

THE BLOOD CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
There are three types of blood circulatory system, two of which (systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation) depend on a pump, the heart, to push the blood around. The third type of circulation is known as a portal system. These are specialised channels that connect one capillary bed site to another but do not depend directly on a central pump. The largest of these in the human is the hepatic portal system which connects the intestines to the liver.

The systemic circulation transfers oxygenated blood from a central pump (the heart) to all of the body tissues (systemic arterial system) and returns deoxygenated blood with a high carbon dioxide content from the tissues to the central pump (systemic venous system).

As briefly mentioned above the systemic circulation supplies all the body tissues, and is where exchange of nutrients and products of metabolism occurs. All the blood for the systemic circulation leaves the left side of the heart via the aorta.

This large artery then divides into smaller arteries and blood is delivered to all tissues and organs. These arteries divide into smaller and smaller vessels each with its own characteristic structure and function. The smallest branches are called arterioles.
The arterioles themselves branch into a number of very small thin vessels, the capillaries, and it is here that the exchange of gases, nutrients and waste products occurs.

Exchange occurs by diffusion of substances down concentration and pressure gradients.
The capillaries then unite to form larger vessels, venules, which in turn unite to form fewer and larger vessels, known as veins.

The veins from different organs and tissues unite to form two large veins. The inferior vena cava (from the lower portion of the body) and the superior vena cava (from the head and arms), which return blood to the right side of the heart. Thus there are a number of parallel circuits within the systemic circulation.
The pulmonary circulation is where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange between the blood and alveolar air occurs. The blood leaves the right side of the heart through a single artery, the pulmonary artery, which divides into two - one branch supplying each lung. Within the lung, the arteries divide, ultimately forming arterioles and capillaries; venules and veins return blood to the left side of the heart.

How Can I Stop Gum Disease?

How Can I Stop Gum Disease?
If you are asking yourself, "How can I stop gum disease?", a good way to start is to understand the conditions of the disease. The two basic types of gum diseases or periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the first phase of periodontal disease. It results when plaque forms on the teeth's surface and the gum line. When plaque builds up, the bacteria that compose it cause inflammation in the gums. A person with gingivitis has red and puffy gums that bleed easily.
Gingivitis develops into periodontitis over time. At this phase, bacterial infection damages the bones that support teeth and the connecting gum tissue resulting in pockets where more bacteria can flourish. This condition ultimately leads to tooth loss.

How can I stop gum disease?
Detecting and treating the problem while it has just started is the best way to put a stop to periodontal disease. Pay attention to your gum's health. Healthy gums should be pink in color, firm, odorless and should not bleed with normal brushing. If the condition of your gums is the opposite, you likely have a problem. Make sure to see your dentist regularly. Most people are not aware they have a problem until their dentist points out the problem to them.

How can I stop gum disease through clinical treatment?
Your dentist or periodontist may perform several cleaning procedures in your mouth. Root planing or scaling are ways to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar in your teeth and gums. Your dentist may also place antimicrobial liquid solutions beneath your gum line through a procedure called periodontal irrigation to wash out any remaining bacteria in the infected gums.
Severe gum diseases may require periodontal surgery, which removes the infected gum to expose and strip off bacteria. In case of critical bone loss, the dentist will perform a bone graft. To complete the surgery, the dentist will cover the treated area with a new gum line through a skin graft.

How can I stop gum disease naturally?
A diet filled with nutrients, especially Vitamin C, will boost your body's ability to combat bacterial infection. There are also natural home remedies to prevent and cure gum disease such as rinsing with chamomile to lessen inflammation and peppermint tea to fight bad breath. Natural dental products such as toothpastes made with tea tree oil helps prevent gum disease in a gentle yet effective way. Knowing these products and their applications keeps me from wondering "How can I stop gum disease?"

Supplements For Toning Your Blood Vessels

Several supplements have been found beneficial in maintaining or restoring normal blood-vessel tone.

Vitamin E. Numerous studies have confirmed the benefits of vitamin E in improving endothelial function. This ability to maintain normal blood vessel tone may partly account for vitamin E's benefits in preventing cardiovascular diseases. In an extreme case, focusing on " acute" endothelial dysfunction in smokers, researchers found that 600 IU of vitamin E daily led to significant improvements in blood-vessel tone. A combination of 400 IU of vitamin E and 500 mg vitamin C daily enhanced endothelial function in children genetically predisposed to heart disease.

Vitamin C. By itself, vitamin C can also improve blood vessel tone. In a study of patients with heart disease, researchers found that 2,000 mg of vitamin C protected against endothelial dysfunction after a high-fat meal. Similarly, 1,000 mg of vitamin C blunted the endothelial dysfunction caused by elevated blood levels of homocysteine.