Lymphedema is a chronic condition that may occur after the delicate vessels and/or nodes that comprise the lymphatic system become damaged and fail to drain properly. The lymphatic system parallels the blood circulatory system. But unlike the more familiar circulatory system, the lymphatic system does not rely on a central pump — the heart — to keep fluids moving along. …
The Benefits of Swimming for Managing Lymphedema
There was once a time when people thought that exercise was out of the question for lymphedema patients. If anything, it was thought to possibly exacerbate symptoms. Recent studies and continued research, however, show that certain types of exercise can, in fact, be beneficial in managing lymphedema. These days, doctors and other lymphedema professionals are far more likely to encourage …
Get to Know Your Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are tiny, round (or bean-shaped) structures distributed throughout your body. They serve as biological filters of a sort, helping to trap and eliminate potentially dangerous germs, such as bacteria or viruses, which might otherwise do you harm. In some places—such as under the arms, in the groin, and in the neck—they cluster in groups. You may even be …
Lymphedema Pain Management
For many lymphedema sufferers, their condition is more of a nuisance than a crisis. While certainly not welcome, some patients find that lymphedema is a condition that can be managed, at least. For example, lymphedema of the arms, which may affect the upper arm(s), lower arm(s), and/or hands, is not uncommon among women who have undergone treatments for breast cancer. …
Lymphedema Patients Need to Exercise Special Care During Flu Season
The influenza virus is not a singular virus. Rather, it is a family of virulent, always mutating viruses, capable of doing extreme harm, depending on the patient, the strain, and even which variants happen to be circulating in the general population during a given flu season. Most people are aware that the annual spike in flu cases in the Northern …
The Importance of Hydration for Managing Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic illness that affects about one-third of women who undergo armpit lymph node removal due to treatment for breast cancer. The condition can strike soon after radiation, chemo, or surgical interventions. Or it can manifest years after these treatments have concluded. Damage to the lymphatic vessels and/or nodes causes patients to experience a loss in the lymphatic …
What is a Lymphedema Therapist and How Can One Help You?
Lymphedema Therapist: How Can One Help You If you have been diagnosed with lymphedema, you know it must be carefully managed. Proper treatment will require careful compliance with doctor’s orders on your part. With some diligence and help from a lymphedema therapist, you may be able to thwart the progression of this disease and minimize its impact on your daily …
Summer Pampering: Skip the Salon for a Medical Pedicure
Summer Pampering: Skip the Salon for a Medical Pedicure Everyone likes a little pampering once in a while. Call it self care, a “decompression day,” or simply some “me time”. Whatever you call it, we all enjoy a little special attention occasionally. This summer many women—and more than a few men—will trot their toes into a salon for a pedicure. …
Leg Exercises and Stretches to Manage Lymphedema
Leg Exercises and Stretches to Manage Lymphedema People used to believe that it was best to avoid exercise if you suffer from lymphedema. In part, this was based on the observation that limbs at risk for lymphedema are more sensitive to injury. However, it has been shown that staying active can actually prevent or mitigate the condition. Targeted stretches and …
The Benefits of Arm Exercises for Lymphedema Patients
The Benefits of Arm Exercises for Lymphedema Patients The arm(s) are among the most common sites affected by lymphedema. This chronic condition primarily affects women. Women who receive treatment for breast cancer often undergo radiation therapy or surgical removal of tissues to eradicate their tumors. Unfortunately, this often involves damaging, or surgically removing, one or more lymph nodes in the …