| Like the arteries, veins and capillaries that transport | | | | developing an infection or may interfere or impair the |
| blood through our bodies, our bodies also contains an | | | | function of the limb. |
| extensive drainage system that returns water and | | | | Lymphedema can develop in any part of the body. If |
| proteins from our tissues back to the bloodstream. | | | | you experience persistent or recurring swelling |
| Called the lymphatic system, it is part of our immune | | | | anywhere in your body, it is important to seek medical |
| system and works to defend the body from diseases | | | | advice. Early intervention with this disorder greatly |
| caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. | | | | improves the long term outcome of the disease's |
| The lymphatic system has two major functions. First, it | | | | progression. |
| works to regulate the amount of fluids within our | | | | Recommendations For Wellness |
| bodies. Secondly, it is responsible for "taking out the | | | | - Avoid rigorous, repetitive movements or heavy lifting. |
| trash", that is collecting waste products, such as dead | | | | - Women, if your arm is affected, get rid of extra 50 |
| blood cells and pathogens from the interstitial fluid (the | | | | lbs that you carry over your shoulder and trade it in for |
| fluid that fills the spaces around cells) and filters it | | | | a purse that has hand straps. |
| before returning it to the bloodstream. | | | | - If your arm or leg starts to ache, lie down and |
| The lymphatic system is made up of lymph vessels | | | | elevate it. |
| that carry lymph, a protein-rich fluid that is transported | | | | - Wear loose fitting clothes, jewelry, socks and |
| through the lymph vessels, and lymph nodes which | | | | undergarments that may restrict lymphatic flow. |
| filter out germs and toxins. There are over 100 lymph | | | | - Wear a compression sleeve or stocking on the |
| nodes throughout the body, with the majority of them | | | | affected limb. |
| being located in the neck, groin and armpits. Lymphatic | | | | - Keep your "at risk" limb clean and avoid activities that |
| vessels contain valves that prevent the lymph from | | | | may irritate or damage the skin. Careful skin care may |
| flowing backwards within the system. Within the | | | | reduce the risk of lymphedema by helping you to avoid |
| lymphatic vessels, lymph is transported through the | | | | infection. |
| vessels and moves via the squeezing action of their | | | | - Massage, particularly lymphatic massage has been |
| neighboring skeletal muscles. | | | | shown to help increase lymph drainage. You can do |
| When the movement of lymph through the body | | | | this yourself or work with a qualified massage |
| becomes impaired, it will leak out of the lymphatic | | | | therapist who has been specially trained in how to |
| capillaries and cause the surrounding tissues to swell. | | | | perform manual lymph drainage techniques. |
| This condition is called lymphedema. Lymphedema | | | | - Begin a gentle exercise program. Exercise and |
| occurs when the amount of lymph fluid in the body | | | | muscle movement can help drain lymph fluid. (Consult |
| exceeds the body's ability to transport it. This causes | | | | with your doctor prior to beginning any exercise |
| the lymph fluid to accumulate in the tissues, where it | | | | program). |
| causes swelling, particularly of the arms and legs. | | | | - Drink plenty of water. Water is critical for proper |
| There are two types of lymphedema. Doctors don't | | | | lymph drainage. |
| know what causes Primary Lymphedema, but it can | | | | - Echinacea has a long history of improving lymph |
| be present at birth, or can develop later on in life. | | | | filtration and drainage. |
| Fortunately, this condition is rare. Secondary | | | | - Garlic is known for being able to stimulate the lymph |
| Lymphedema is a condition that is not often talked | | | | system to throw off waste materials. |
| about, but often affects individuals who have | | | | - Oregon grape can be used to help reduce the |
| undergone surgery, such as cancer surgery where | | | | inflammation of the lymphatic system and works to |
| lymph nodes are commonly removed. It can also | | | | help cleanse the lymph. |
| affect individuals who have undergone radiation | | | | - Poke Root has been known to help stimulate the |
| therapy, which can damage lymph nodes and cause | | | | body and aid its ability to remove waste materials that |
| scar tissue to form ultimately interfering with the flow | | | | may be trapped in the tissues. It can also help improve |
| of lymph. It can also be experienced by individuals who | | | | the elasticity of tissues that may have experienced |
| have experienced a severe trauma or infection. | | | | hardening due to congestion. |
| In the initial stages of this chronic condition, | | | | - Burdock, red clover and mullein are known to thin |
| Lymphedema often begins with swelling in a hand or | | | | lymph fluid and enhance lymphatic drainage. |
| foot, particularly the one closest to where the surgery | | | | - Herbal combinations such as Nature's Sunshine's |
| has occurred or radiation therapy has taken place. If | | | | Lymphatic Drainage, Lymphomax or Lymphostim are |
| left unchecked, the protein-rich lymph can continue to | | | | designed to stimulate the immune system, fight |
| accumulate, leading to increased swelling and a | | | | infections and support the lymphatic system. |
| hardening of the tissues. This increases your risk of | | | | |