Lymphedema: Nutrition and Lymphedema

There is no special diet that will prevent or control lymphedema; however, good nutrition promotes good health and this helps the body manage with the stresses related to lymphedema.  The main recommendations are eat a low sodium diet and keep hydrated.
Eating a Balanced Diet
Eating a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables [...]

Lymphedema: Healthy Skin

Maintaining healthy skin is essential for those with lymphedema because intact skin, with no scrapes or cuts, prevents bacteria from entering and causing infection.
 
The swelling of lymphedema stretches the skin and disrupts the skin’s basic protective mechanisms. Also, as lymphedema increases in severity the skin loses its elasticity, becomes thicker and scaly, and is increasingly [...]

Lymphedema: Smoking makes the condition worse!

Maintaining healthy skin is essential for those with lymphedema because intact skin, with no scrapes or cuts, prevents bacteria from entering and causing infection.
 
The swelling of lymphedema stretches the skin and disrupts the skin’s basic protective mechanisms. Also, as lymphedema increases in severity the skin loses its elasticity, becomes thicker and scaly, and is increasingly [...]

Lymphedema: Pain or no gain? No Way!!

Pain is something all health care providers are concerned about.  We generally gage pain on a scale from 0 to 10.  Overall, there is very little pain directly related to the swelling from Lymphedema.  There may be a mild ache, but other than that a person can have a leg or arm many sizes larger [...]

Lymphedema: Infections Related to Lymphedema

Infections that can develop within the affected tissues are a serious complication associated with lymphedema. The risk of infection increases when lymphedema is not controlled by proper treatment and appropriate precautions.
The risks of lymphedema related infections are due to:

The swelling of lymphedema compromises the health of the skin.
Protein-rich stagnant lymph within these swollen tissues creates an environment that pathogens [...]

Lymphedema: Denial and Rebellion- It’s Only Human Nature

The human mind is an amazing thing.  Its ability to fool even itself to the detriment of the person is truly astounding.  I see it on a daily basis when dealing with Lymphedema patients.  The two I run into are denial and rebellion. 

Denial #1: “I’m the exception to the rule!” Unfortunately there is no [...]

Lymphedema: Two Tips to Start Out

The first time I see a patient is for the evaluation.  At the end of the evaluation I give my patients a packet of information to take home and read, instruct them in the Anatomy and Physiology of the Lymph System, and give them two things to get a head start on before we initiate [...]

Lymphedema: Treatment

The treatment for Lymphedema is called Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT). This is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that has been used in Europe for over 70 years.  It is a cost-effective treatment to reduce swelling of the limbs, decrease risk of infections (Cellulitis), and halt the progression of the condition. Complex Decongestive Therapy includes:

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) [...]

Lymphedema: Possible Signs & Symptoms

Mostly a person’s History, Observations, Measurements, Signs and Symptoms diagnose Lymphedema. These include:

Swelling of a limb or body part.
Swelling that is pitting in nature (pressure leaves an indentation (pit) that slowly fills in again).
Swelling worsens over time.
Sensation of heaviness and fatigue in the swollen limb.
A dull aching in the limb.
Repeated episodes of infection (Cellulitis).
Clothing or Shoes [...]

Lymphedema: Many Possible Causes

Lymphedema is when an area of the body swells due to the collection of lymph fluid. This can be any part of the body: arm, foot, leg, breast, abdomen, head, face, chest wall, genitals…The lymph fluid builds up when the lymph system has in some way become impaired.  Causes of an impaired Lymph System include:

Treatment [...]