Discover the Vital Role of Lymphatic Health
The lymphatic system plays a vital role in your body’s overall health and wellbeing. Its intricate network supports your immune system by removing toxins, dead blood cells, pathogens, and other waste from your body.
It helps in the absorption and delivery of fats and fat-soluble vitamins from your digestive system, ensuring these vital nutrients reach the cells where they can be utilised as fuel.
The lymphatic system also removes excess fluid, known as 'lymph', and waste products from the spaces between your cells and organs, preventing the buildup that can lead to issues like tissue swelling, poor skin tone, and cellulite.
When the lymphatic system becomes compromised due to illness or unhealthy lifestyle choices, a range of problems can arise, including swelling of the limbs, headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and a greater susceptibility to illness. By understanding the importance of this often-overlooked system, you can take proactive steps to support your lymphatic health and enjoy the benefits of improved overall wellbeing.
The main sign of lymphatic dysfunction is Lymphoedema, which causes swelling in any part of your body where lymph nodes have been removed or if genetic this can be found anywhere from the face and neck, mid line, genitals, arms, hands, feet and legs. Lipoedema is another condition caused by a breakdown in the lymphatic system, whereby your body’s tissue is pathologically altered causing swelling and fluid retention. Lipoedema is a very poorly understood condition, which is often mistaken for Lymphoedema or general obesity and cellulite. The exact cause of this misunderstood condition is still unknown, but it can be treated in the same way as Lymphoedema.
Your Lymphatic System
scroll down TO Find out more about Lymphoedema and Lipoedema
What is Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is a swelling of the limbs and body due to the build up of lymph fluid which carries waste products around the body, including large proteins, fats, water, dead cells, bacteria and white blood cells. Lymph fluid plays an important role in the body's defence against infection.
Lymphoedema occurs when damage to the drainage routes causes the damming effect of the lymph fluid. Lymphoedema has various causes:
Removal of the lymph nodes as part of a cancer treatment
A congenital condition
Damage resulting from an accident
i RECOMMEND AN INITIAL CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT to discuss your TREATMENT
Initial evaluation appointment £120 - 1hr session
Follow-up MLD treatment sessions from £85 (1hr), with bandaging £95 (1hr). A personalised treatment plan will be discussed with you in your initial consultation appointment.
Management of Lymphoedema
Although Lymphoedema is not curable, the condition can be managed by an intensive course of Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT). This usually includes Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) therapy and/or Bandaging.
Once the condition is brought under control in this way, it can be maintained with a combination of skin care, exercise, simple lymphatic drainage, MLD and hosiery - some of which may be available through the NHS.
Initial evaluation appointment £120 - 1hr session
Follow-up MLD treatment sessions from £85 (1hr), with bandaging £95 (1hr). A personalised treatment plan will be discussed with you in your initial consultation appointment.
These websites offer advice, information and support for people living with Lymphoedema. Please note that they will open in another window. Gayle Longhurst is not responsible for the content of these websites.
Lymphoedema Support Network https://www.lymphoedema.org/
Part of the British Lymphology Society, this organisation offers support and advice to Lymphoedema patients.
Macmillan Cancer Support https://www.macmillan.org.uk/
The UK's leading cancer information site: your one-stop site with over 6,000 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.
Useful Lymphoedema links
What is LipoEdema
Lipoedema is a very poorly understood condition, which is often mistaken for Lymphoedema or general obesity and cellulite. No amount of dieting will reduce the size of a limb with Lipoedema, as the fat is pathologically altered tissue. It is the amount of fat cells and not the size of the fat cells, which makes weight loss difficult. The exact cause of how the tissue becomes altered is not yet fully understood, but regular exercise helps to work the lymphatics. Water exercise, which helps to massage the lymphatic system, is especially effective.
Lipoedema is a genetic condition that almost exclusively affects women. Some estimates believe it may affect up to 10% of the adult female population. Men can be carriers but tend not to develop the condition.
Lipoedema is particularly associated with women after puberty or after a significant hormonal event such as pregnancy and menopause. The areas most likely to be affected are the outside of the thigh, buttocks, hips, calves, lower abdomen and sometimes the arms. The feet and hands are usually unaffected.
The affected area can often feel quite cool, be painful to the touch in advanced stages, and can bruise easily. Ligaments around the knees are often weakened, which can lead to knee surgery if the condition isn’t treated. After many years, the body's lymphatic system can start to become tired and less effective. Correctly fitting compression garments can help the lymphatic system and prevent the condition worsening.
There are a few surgeons in the UK specialising in Lipoedema surgery, along with other countries.
You can find out more information about Lipoedema here https://lipoedema.co.uk/
i RECOMMEND AN INITIAL CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT to discuss your TREATMENT
Initial evaluation appointment £120 - 1hr session
Follow-up treatment sessions from £85 (1hr), with bandaging £95 (1hr). A personalised treatment plan will be discussed with you in your initial consultation appointment.
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