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Poppy Lane Skin Care & Lymphoedema Clinic
Explaining
the causes of lymphoedema Abstract:
Lymphoedema
Cause Research
indicates the causes
activating lymphoedema swelling can be many and varied. An
accidental bump; an insect bite; an operation;
radiation therapy, or cancer therapy. Any of these things can be the trigger
of lymphoedema. This
page explains the ‘why' and common denominator causing all lymphoedema
swelling. It shows the simplicity and real objective for all
lymphoedema reduction and control procedures regardless of the trigger. The
common denominator of all Lymphoedema. To
explain, every person has plasma proteins distributed throughout their body,
the majority are contained in the pressurized blood circulatory system with
the remainder residing in interstitial fluids at below atmospheric
pressure where they are just termed proteins. Plasma
proteins control levels of extra-cellular fluid (blood plasma proteins &
protein of interstitial fluids) by osmotic action. They (the plasma proteins) are
essential for maintaining an optimally functioning system and control the
level of extra cellular fluids distributed within each part of the body, so
decreasing intake of protein rich food will not solve or reduce the problem
of lymphoedema. In
soft tissues functioning within normal parameters, there is an optimal
set 2% level of (plasma) protein maintained in interstitial fluid (these are
the fluids that travel through the interstitial (soft) tissues). The level
of protein in interstitial fluids contained in the tissues of the body is
approximately one fourth of that found in blood plasma (6). The
2% level of interstitial fluid protein is normally maintained in equilibrium
predominantly by the lymphatic system, which remove proteins contained in
interstitial fluid equal to the volume they were deposited from the
capillary ends of the arterial blood circulatory system, and to a lesser degree by wandering macrophages in the tissues, which by
phagocytosis eat up or dissolve a small number of plasma proteins in
interstitial fluids. Conclusion: Lymphoedema
is caused by an accumulation of (plasma) protein greater than 2% of
interstitial fluids contained in the soft tissues of the body. The cause of
accumulated excess protein in the interstitial fluids is resultant from
lymphatic dysfunction or lymphatic insufficiency and cessation of macrophage
activity from protein overload for a prolonged period of time where
lymphoedema swelling is apparent. It
is only by returning the level of proteins back to a ratio of 2% in
interstitial tissue fluids will the oedema in Lymphoedema be controlled.
This is the real and main objective for all Lymphoedema control procedures.
This
website provides information and resources to help and assist you achieve this objective. © Copyright
May 2008 Poppy Lane Skin Care & Lymphoedema Clinic, Lansvale.
N.S.W. 2166 For
more detailed information go to the
Lymphoedema
control page For
lymphoedema diet information go direct to Lymphoedema
Diet Page References: Website
Sponsor Poppy
Lane Skin Care & Lymphoedema Clinic
(02)
9723 5402 E-mail julietgeorge@lymph.com.au
Low
Level Laser & Equipment with education for home use
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