Website Sponsor
www.lymph.com.au

Poppy Lane Skin Care & Lymphoedema Clinic
139 Hollywood Drive Lansvale NSW 2166 Australia

 (02) 9723 5402

E-mail julietgeorge@lymph.com.au

Supplier of;
Lymphoedema Drainage Massage
Lymphoedema Laser Therapy
CPT Therapy for Treatment of Lymphoedema 

Low Level Laser & Equipment with education for home use
 Bandaging
Specialised Creams; Compression Garments
Lympaction dietary supplement

Bibliography: 

1. Eldra Pearl Solomon, Linda R. Berg, Diana W. Martin.  “Biology”, Fifth Edition,  Saunders College Publishing, Orlando Florida , USA . ISBN: 0-03-022299-0  Processing Food  Processing Food & Nutrition.  5, 975

2. K. Raj Narayana, M Sripal Reddy, M.r. Chaluvadi. D.R. Krishna  “Bioflavonoids Classification, Pharmacological, Biochemical Effects and Therapeutic Potential. Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2001; 33: 2-16

3. N.S.Parmar, M.N. Ghosh, “Current Trends in Flavonoid Research” Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 12 (4), 213 – 228 (1980)

4. Elliott Middleton, JR, Chithan Kandaswami, Theoharis C. Theoharides “The Effects of Plant Flavonoids on Mammalian Cells: Implications for Inflammation, Heart Disease, and Cancer”, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Pharmacological Review 52:673-751, 2000

5. Casley-Smith J.R , Judith R. Casley-Smith "High Protein Oedema and the Benzo Pyrones, Lippincott Sydney & Balt (1986) The Structure, History and Sources of the Benzo-Pyrones. 5, 175, 181.

6. Casley-Smith JR & Judith R 'Modern Treatment for Lymphoedema' Fifth Edition (Pg 233) Bowden Printing, Adelaide  Chap 33, page 230

7. Robert Twycross, Karen James & Jacquelyne Todd. “Lymphoedema”  Ausmed Publications P/l. ISBN 0 9579876 6 Drug Treatment for Lymphoedema. 15, 245-248.

8. Nicholas Farinola, Dr Neil Piller Lymphatic "Lymphatic Research and Biology" volume 3, Number2, 2005 Pub Mary Ann Liebert Inc 

9. Marieb, Elaine N. (2003). Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, Seventh Edition, San Francisco : Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 0-8053-5385-2. 

10. H. Kohler, Dr. Hendrik Alenkamper, Hans Winiger. Venous Diseases of the Leg and Medical Compression Stockings and Pantyhose. Ganzoni & CIE, Groblistrasse , CH_9014, St Gallen ,Switzerland .     

11.  Arthur C. Guyton, John E. Hall ‘Textbook of Medical Physiology’, Elsevier Printing, New Delhi, India ISBN 13:978-0-7216-0240-0    

© Copyright June  2008 Poppy Lane Skin Care & Lymphoedema Clinic, Lansvale. N.S.W. 2166 Australia

Information about swelling reduction treatment including support information to assist and help control and reduce your swelling and improve lymphatic drainage from right now is presented at this website. Informative information resources, reviews and guides that are researched, relevant and available as current post graduate teaching hints are developed and introduced for you into reviewed explanatory reference materials, leaflets, books and booklets and downloadable information. 

Helpful reference materials and research information shows compression garments, arm sleeves, hosiery and bandaging can help control and reduce primary and secondary lymphoedema. This source information shows with detailed explanations the specific lymphedema and lipoedema treatment protocols currently available. 

It shows and explains what is available now for consumers, patients and health professionals. The helpful informative resource material provides, in easily understandable terminology, an informed introduction with detailed info listing to help, teach, review and show how this condition is treated and controlled. 

Diagnosis guide; A review of results indicate when secondary swelling is triggered or caused by cancer, radiotherapy treatments, surgery, breast cancer or leg / arm injury and develops into lymphedema swelling. Current diagnostic sources explain and indicate all have the common denominator of restricted lymph flow of your lymphatic system. This is regardless of your general state of health.  

Results of current research information explanations and reviews with regard to Primary lymphoedema research info testing results, also indicate restricted lymph flow is the explanation for increased swelling. 

All research information complies to the latest review and list of the International consensus standards of best practice for the management of lymphedema, lymphedma, lipedma, lipedema and lipoedema.

If you have swelling, oedema the most effective and the speediest methods for lymphedema reduction are first achieved by you eating the best choice foods. These foods, on their own, will help prevent and improve the conditions causing your lymphedema. 

Home treatment is similar to that used in a clinic situation except it is performed by a carer and where possible yourself. 

The website sponsor can provide self help plans for self massage, self administered laser therapy, bandaging and dietary assistance. 

For many years people have been asking for a new therapy to help reduce their lymphedema and lipoedema swelling. People wanted a therapy that let them lead a more normal lifestyle and helped reduce their swelling. 

After ten years of research a brand new plan is proving to give exceptional results and lets you lead a more normal lifestyle. It is available now and is self administered from home. It starts just by eating the right food. Get the book showing you how here.

Contact Juliet at julietgeorge@lymph.com.au for more information.  

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphoedema is a swelling of the body tissues. It may occour in the leg, arm, chest, breast or other part of the body. The swelling occours when excess protein becomes trapped in interstitial fluids. Interstitial fluid is located between the cell spaces in the tissues of your body.

Excess protein acts like a magnet for other watery body fluids. This action is called 'osmotic action' or 'osmosis'. When protein becomes too concentrated in interstitial fluids, they cause swelling by their osmotic action.

The lymphatic system is the major way for removal of excess protein. When the lymphatic system does not function properly, proteins become trapped, they hold extra watery fluids in the body tissues by their osmotic action and lymphoedema swelling occours.

Excess protein from the interstitial fluids contained in the spaces between the cells of your body tissues normally drains into lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels are usually located close to the blood vessels.

The lymphatic vessels filter out the smaller particulate matter and thinner fluids to just collect the larger particulate matter and a small amount of fluid. Once interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic vessels it becomes concentrated with extra proteins as the smaller particulate matter and thinner fluids are filtered back into the tissues. It is only when interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic vessels and becomes concentrated with extra protein does it become called ‘lymph’.

The Lymphatic vessels carry the lymph fluid towards the region of the neck where it is returned back into the blood circulation system. Once lymph is returned back into the blood circulatory system the liver and kidneys remove any excess protein or other matter deposited by the lymph by normal bodily function.

On its journey through the lymphatic vessels the lymph passes through lymph nodes. There are lymph nodes located all around the body. Many lymph nodes are concentrated in the armpit; groin, stomach, chest and neck. Harmful substances are filtered out and destroyed when passing through lymph nodes.

The lymphatic system helps to protect the body from infection. At the end of its journey lymph then passes back into the blood for processing and removal of wastes.

Sometimes the lymph nodes become overwhelmed with invading substances. These invasive pathogens in the lymph nodes can be the cause and start of cancer growth.

If lymph nodes are affected in treatment for breast cancer the axillary lymph nodes are often removed. These are the lymph nodes in the armpit and sometimes in the surrounding breast region.

Nodes can become damaged during surgery or damaged by radiotherapy which is administered to kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery. Radiotherapy especially can be attributed for reduced lymphatic function and reduced flow of lymph from moving freely away from the cancer affected area.

Damaged lymphatic function in turn allows increased protein levels to build up in interstitial fluids. By their osmotic action the trapped protein causes fluid to build up in the arm or breast, leg or chest. When left untreated this build-up of fluid is most difficult to control.

Lymphedema may never appear after surgery, yet it can develop months or even years after treatment for breast cancer. Lymphedema usually develops slowly and gradually. The first signs are heaviness of limb, tightness in the affected and often adjacent areas, pins and needles, tightness of shoulders and upper back (especially with arm lymphoedema) and general underlying discomfort to an affected area.

The feeling of Lymphedema is different to the swelling or pain in the arm, armpit, and breast immediately following surgery or radiotherapy to the breast or armpit.  

How often does lymphedema occour?

It is reported in the US the incidence of lymphedema is up to 25 percent of patients who undergo cancer surgery or radiotherapy after cancer surgery.

There are a variety of ways of measuring lymphedema. Then new way is to use Bio Impedance Monitoring before the actual swelling of lymphedema is apparent. A good lymphedema therapist can in many cases also recognise the signs of lymphedema onset well before visible signs are apparent.

Bio Impedance uses a small electrical frequency to measure the impedance of interstitial fluids in the body and also the affected limb. From the results is possible to use a predictive index for the probability of lymphoedema to be present or occour at a later time. Using bio impedance is ok to let you know there is the chance of lymphedema before the swelling actually shows.

So long as you do something about reducing the swelling before it progresses, Bio Impedance Monitoring and other methods of lymphedema prediction can be most useful.   

If you do not bother to take remedial action to prevent the swelling after breast cancer and radiotherapy once bio impedance monitoring has shown a positive result, then at least the probability of swelling is known and it is hoped treatment may be undertaken earlier when visible signs of swelling become apparent.

In reality it is not known exactly how many people develop lymphoedema in the arm or breast after treatment for breast cancer. Some reports say 10% and even as low as 3% of people treated for breast cancer. I think in reality these figures are wild guesses, no one really knows.

What has proved most obvious is the risk of lymphedema seems greater or higher for people who have more lymph nodes removed. The risk is increases for those who have surgery and radiotherapy to the axilla (armpit) and/or surrounding breast/chest tissues. It is not synonymous to get lymphoedema with all people who have lymph nodes removed and/or radiotherapy to the armpit. Many people will not develop the condition.

Diagnosis Symptoms Signs of lymphedema.

Indications and signs of lymphedema?

The first and early signs of lymphedema may include:

Feeling heavy in the arm or breast. This could be described as a feeling of heaviness, tightness and tension in the area of arm or breast after breast cancer surgery.

Leg surgery or cancer surgery in the abdominal region, especially for ovarian cancer may cause a heaviness or tightness to the leg and/or abdomen. This also may be described as a feeling of tension.

With breast cancer after surgery and the initial surgical swelling has reduced, when lymphedema is becoming apparent a swelling of the arm, breast or hand may occour.

Often the signs of lymphedema swelling are first noticed by tight jewellery, skin indentations or your clothing becomes unusually tight. Other signs may be from bracelets or watches feeling tighter on the arm most likely to be affected by lymphoedema.

A regular reported sign of onset of lymphedema is discomfort or aching of the shoulders, upper back, arm, hand, chest or breast area

Other most noticeable changes can be elevated or hot skin temperature, or skin that feels warmer than usual.

Early signs often fluctuate, they may come and go. When you notice one or a few of the changes that indicate a possibility of lymphedema, it does not necessarily mean you will develop lymphedema. When these identifying signs are the precursors to lymphedema, and they are identified then starting appropriate management and therapy can help and reduce the occurrence of swelling.

Often there may be other changes, they may be a side effect of surgery or radiotherapy. These changes may be slight or more elevated and include reduced range of movement, loss of muscle strength, changes in sensation and tingling in the arm or fingers. Directly after surgery these changes should not be mistaken for signs or onset of lymphedema.

If you notice changes tell your doctor or breast cancer care nurse promptly about even the slightest or any changes that develop after the initial side effects of radiotherapy or treatment have passed.

More information about reducing the risk of lymphoedema can be found in the diet pages at this site. This therapy is breakthrough and easy.

How to reduce the risk 

after treatment for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, there are many other types of cancer that can affect the lymphatic system and have cause to disrupt or surgically remove lymph nodes.

These cancers are listed in descending order of complication as Bladder cancer, Breast Cancer; Colon - Rectal Cancer, Endometrial, Kidney (Renal Cell) Leukaemia, Lung and Melanoma. All of these cancers have the potential to cause problems with the lymphatic system and be the precursor for lymphedema.

You may take action after treatment for breast cancer or cancer affecting the abdomen or legs that can help to reduce the risk of developing lymphedema. There is no evidence from clinical studies that these suggestions will definitely prevent lymphedema, however a principle of prevention is better than a cure so it is worth your best effort.

A new therapy to assist swelling reduction and help prevent lymphedema swelling is shown at this site look under the diet tab. The therapy is easy and breakthrough with amazing results.

If you have developed lymphedema the things shown below may help stop the condition from getting worse. Suggestions are outlined below.

Reduce your risk of infection; Keeping the skin healthy and taking precautions to prevent cuts, burns or insect bites to the affected and treated arm or other affected area really helps.

Practical examples:

Keep the skin supple apply moisturising cream daily after showering

Wear gloves when washing dishes and use cooler water

In the garden or with your pets wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to prevent scratching

Keep the mosquitoes and flies at bay - apply insect repellent

Use an electric shaver rather than a conventional razor blade safety razor on armpits, legs and bikini areas

Have blood samples, blood pressure, intravenous drips always applied or taken on an untreated arm or limb

Clean and apply antibacterial cream to any scratches, grazes or cuts immediately, then cover with a clean covering like a suitably sized band aid dressing.

For any signs of infection see a doctor as soon as possible. Infection can be suspected with signs of heat, redness or inflammation in/on an affected limb or surrounding area.

Where possible avoid any activity that puts additional stress or has the potential to reduce fluid load in the lymphatic system

For example:

The lymphatic system slows down or stops working with too much heat – keep out of hot direct sunlight to avoid sunburn, especially to the arm or breast

Stay away and out of places that will increase temperature, this includes saunas, very hot showers or baths that will overheat the arm or breast

Results are showing that keeping to a healthy weight has an enormous beneficial effect on lymphoedema. To find the best food look in the diet section at this site.

Avoid activities that slow or halt lymph flow

This includes:

Wear good fitting compression garments. Badly fitted compression garments, arm sleeves, hosiery, hand mittens or leg compression garments disrupt lymph flow and detrimentally affect you lymphoedema. 

Wear the right size compression garment, if you feel it is not right, go back and insist to be re-measured and refitted if your garment is no longer the correct size.

Avoid having blood pressure measurements taken on the affected arm

Don’t wear a poorly fitting bra or tight clothing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction: Supplementary lymphedema information

Each individual person requires specific treatment and  information about lymphoedema,  how this information is processed and utilized varies from person to person.

The easiest way of finding sequential lymphedema information is to use the link buttons at the top left of the page, the following information provided on this page will gradually be incorporated into the linked pages as time allows and is only for supplementary reading until this happens.

 

Lymphedema;
Finding out about lymphedema.;
Information for patients.  

Have you recently found out you are at risk of contracting lymphedema? Or in the early stages of lymphedema? If so obtaining timely help will assist you take control of your situation to make improvements to reduce the effect of lymphoedema in your life.  

Should your condition be advanced lymphedema, then the information provided here will also be of benefit to you.   

 

Lymphedema Support and information. 

Lymphedema is a medical condition that affects the lymphatic system causing swelling and discomfort. Lymphoedema Support Associations are located all around the world in many countries to help you look after your lymphoedema condition.  

In Australia there are Support Groups in every state and territory. A support group or lymphedema network in most cases will be able to provide specific lymphoedema self help information similar to that provided at this website to assist you,  

In some cases where a  Support Group has a specialized attachment to a dedicated  Department of a Hospital’s Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Cancer Oncology department, there may be specific hands on physical lymphedema therapy available which can include; CPT  (Complex Physical Lymphatic Therapy Massage)  or MLD (Manual lymphatic Drainage) and either may be just termed lymphedema massage.  

To reduce or prevent swelling; laser reduction treatment; short courses of bandaging to reduce swelling and oedema plus compression garment, measuring, support, supply, fitting and assistance can often be provided at these centres. This can all be in addition to providing lymphedema counselling with more generalized information and advice to assist and help you.  

There is professional assistance for those requiring help to reduce swelling or prevent oedema and swelling with lymphoedema, and you can take comfort knowing you are not alone in needing some assistance, there are health professionals available to help you, and your condition is recognized and treatable.

 

Finding out about lymphoedema;

What is lymphedema?  

As was mentioned earlier, lymphedema is a condition affecting the lymphatic transport system. Due to lymphatic dysfunction and the cessation or ability of the lymphatics to remove fluid and proteins leaked from arterial blood capillaries into the body tissues swelling occurs. Visible signs of lymphoedema are characterized by swelling in certain parts of the body with the most common lymphoedema areas often affected being legs or arms.  

Sometimes only one arm or leg is affected; however, lymphedema can affect both arms or both legs and other parts of the body too, including lymphoedema of the head and lymphoedema of genitals, torso, feet and hands. Quite often over time lymphoedema may not be solely confined to one particular body part or areas and as time passes, especially if lymphedema is left untreated, lymphedema affected limbs will detrimentally affect adjacent areas causing swelling and discomfort there too.

 

When am I most likely to be at risk of contracting lymphedema?   

Often lymphoedema affects persons whom have undertaken breast cancer surgery for the removal of cancerous malignancy which also included radiation therapy. This type of breast cancer surgery can range from a full mastectomy to a simple lumpectomy.

Lymphedema susceptibility of the arm and on occasion the adjacent chest wall is more common when surgery is followed by radiotherapy treatment, less cases of lymphoedema occour when radiotherapy is not administered after cancer surgery.  

When lymphedema results from cancer surgery or radiation therapy it is the unavoidable removal or disruption to lymphatic vessels or nodes which are required for successful outcomes that cause the condition of lymphoedema.  

Other times when you are likely to be at risk of contracting lymphedema is when there is insufficiency to your own natural lymphatic system; where it functions poorly and not well enough to remove sufficient proteins and other fluids forming part of your extra cellular fluids which bathe the cells of the tissues in your body.  

 

What is your lymphatic system?     

Your lymphatic system and my lymphatic system are designed to have the same lymphatic function. The Lymphatic system is primarily a defence and garbage removal system for your body. The lymphatic collecting vessels and main lymphatic trunks, Spleen, Thymus, Tonsils, Adenoids and lymph nodes all form part of your lymphatic system and provide protection against invasion from nasty invasive germs.  

The lymph vessels compromised of lymphatic capillaries or initial lymphatics which are located close to the surface of the skin and gradually merge becoming progressively larger; as they become larger they are located deeper in the body as with increase in size. They transport out of the body tissues any excess large molecules, lipids (fats) and proteins, along with some interstitial fluid deposits which have been leaked into the body tissues from arterial blood capillaries.

A large percentage of interstitial fluids return to back into the circulation via the veins (venous blood circulatory system) once protein is filtered out or removed by the lymphatic system.  

Once interstitial fluid leaves the interstitial tissues and enters the lymphatic transport system it is termed lymph. The fluid, when in the tissues bathing the cells of the body, is termed interstitial fluids. The original substance that was leaked from the arterial blood capillaries to form interstitial fluids is termed blood plasma. The major difference to these three fluids is the level or percentage of plasma protein contained therein, which is just termed protein once it had exited from the arterial blood system.  

Your collecting lymphatics (and to a degree the subsequent larger transport system) filter interstitial fluid and increase the protein concentrations within the collecting lymphatics to drain this fluid through lymph nodes where bacteria, protein and other unwanted substances are destroyed. Of the remaining fluid left in the lymphatics after processing through the lymph nodes, a percentage leaks back through the lymphatic vessel walls (which are a little leaky and porous) into the interstitial tissues or body tissues, where it again becomes interstitial fluid. The majority of remaining lymph fluid is then eventually returned back into the blood circulatory system at the junctions of the thoracic duct, and right lymph duct, with the great veins of the neck.   

The major factor for the lymphatic system to prevent the occurrence of lymphoedema in your body is the removal of excess protein from the tissue fluids or interstitial fluids.  

You may not wish to really delve or go into 'Why the lymphatic system is so important in containing the development of lymphoedema' and 'the reasons for a balanced level of proteins in interstitial fluids to prevent the occurrence of lymphoedema' or perhaps 'Concentrations of protein levels in the lymph fluid of the lymphatics or lymphatic system', which is ok, you don’t really need to know this in complete detail unless you are considering further medical studies for reducing lymphoedema swelling and associated lymphatic conditions.  

All that really need be known for understanding the lymphatic system and it's effect in causing lymphoedema at this point is; 'only when protein levels of interstitial fluids exceed optimal levels of approximately 2% in the interstitial fluids of the body tissues due to long term lymphatic dysfunction will lymphoedema occour'.  

 

How does the lymphatic system work?  

The lymphatic system removes large particulate matter and protein from the extra-cellular fluids of the body tissues which are too large to pass back into the venous blood return. It also absorbs fats in the villi of the small intestine, removes fats and plays part of a functional immune system.   

The lymphatic system preventing lymphoedema has it’s beginning just under the skin with small collecting lymphatics, these collecting lymphatics consist of many interconnected open ended tubes or chambers with a one way valve at one end only.  

Collecting lymphatics are not too strong so they need thin filament support lines attached to the muscles to hold them open and ensure the lymphatic collector chambers don’t collapse. When your muscle contracts the little filaments attached to the muscles at one end and the collecting lymphatics at the other draw tight and pull open the collecting lymphatic capillaries so they fill full of interstitial fluids.    

As your muscles relax the collecting lymphatics partially close and trap many of the larger particulate (of which protein is one) whilst simultaneously letting clear looking interstitial fluid minus the larger particulate return to interstitial tissues. This will concentrate the fluid with larger particulate and protein held within the lymphatic system. This fluid is now termed ‘lymph fluid’ or ‘lymph’.  

The process of muscle contraction and relaxation creating varying tissue pressure happens many times until the collecting lymphatics and larger lymph vessels are reasonably full of lymph fluid or lymph.  (Note; It is the higher concentration of protein matter and particulate that distinguishes ‘lymph’ fluids from interstitial fluids).  

Once the collection lymphatics (or as the fluid progresses the larger lymph vessels)  become reasonably full from varying tissue pressure, a combination of one way valves preventing backflow allows passage of lymph along the interconnected lymphatic system travelling on it’s journey through ‘lymph nodes’ to eventually return into the blood circulatory system.  

Whilst passing through lymph nodes the lymph is partially filtered, processed and treated to remove unwanted micro-organisms or pathogenic substances. A small proportion of lymph eventually will return back into the blood circulatory system and re-circulate to be processed in the liver or kidneys for bodily excretion. Much of the lymph fluid once treated and filtered (so that large particulate matter and protein are processed and removed) will leak back into interstitial tissues through the lymphatic vessel walls which are quite leaky.  

The lymphatics totally rely on varying tissue pressure from vibration or external movement caused from mechanical action to function. Without varying tissue pressure the lymphatic system will not function and you will swell up.    

 

Why does an inefficient, insufficient, collapsed or permanently dilated lymphatic system cause lymphoedema?  

An insufficient lymphatic system that does not remove equal amounts of protein to that deposited in interstitial tissues from the arterial blood capillary system, causes additional excessive fluid retention and oedema in the body tissues. This is due to the fact; protein has an osmotic action and retains 'water like fluids' around itself and in this case it retains additional interstitial fluids within its surrounds.   

In the case of lymphedema it is the collection of additional interstitial fluids (over a prolonged period of time) due to excess trapped proteins in a confined space of a limb is why lymphoedema swelling and resultant oedema or lymphoedema is the net result.  

 

Go to Next Page: introduction

Lymphoedema and lymphoedema treatment need not be synonymous with cancer, surgery, and radiotherapy or even related to your general health condition. However, information about lymphedema and immunity seems to indicate and confirm that there is suppression of immune competence in a lymphoedematous limb based from