The ultimate survivors' guide to lymphedema

EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LYMPHEDEMA

YOUR LYMPHATIC SYSTEM is part of your body’s immune system.

It's a network of small, bean-sized glands (lymph nodes) that work together with organs to carry and collect lymph fluid through your body.

Lymph fluid is composed of:

proteins
salts
water
white blood cells

Your lymph nodes, then are one of the main transportation systems for your neck, armpit, chest, abdomen, and groin.

As the lymphatic fluid flows, it picks up waste and foreign materials, like bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

Your lymphatic system helps filter foreign substances, such as tumor cells and infections.

However, when cancer hits, it can penetrate the lymphatic system and use it to spread the cancer throughout your body.

Thus, it compromises one of your body’s main highways to transport white blood cells to fight cancer.

When this occurs, nodes need to be removed to limit the spread of cancer.

This is when lymphedema can occur.

WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA?

Lymphedema is the “pooling” of fluids under your skin due to the removal of lymph nodes and damage to the lymph vessels during surgery or radiation.

This build-up causes swelling and discomfort.

Where it occurs depends upon the surgical or radiation site and can affect the breast, chest and underarm, and groin or leg.

Lymphedema can develop quickly or slowly over several months, so lymphedema prevention and care after treatment is extremely important.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE IT?

Signs and symptoms of lymphedema can be noticeable, but occasionally, they can go unnoticed.

You can experience swelling of small pockets of fluid build up around your breast, chest, back, shoulder, arm, wrist, leg, or abdomen.
You may experience your skin changing in texture or looking red, aching, and just a heavy discomfort. Your skin may feel tight or hard or hot.
Stiffness and or “fatness” (without weight gain) around the surgical site, which results in ill-fitting collars, jackets, socks, pants, rings, watches, and/or bracelets

However, the symptoms you feel will be largely dependent on the stage of your lymphedema.

There are several different stages of lymphedema, and how you treat them can vary.

So in this blog, you will learn how to treat lymphedema—regardless of the stage and location.

4 PILLARS OF LYMPHEDEMA MANAGEMENT

1. LYMPHATIC MASSAGE THERAPY
Is a form of cancer therapy that does wonders for reducing lymphedema and helping:

reduce anxiety
stress
break up scar tissue
cope with cancer

Certified cancer-oncology therapists and some physical therapists are certified in manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).

MLD is a specialized, gentle type of skin massage intended to stimulate lymph nodes and help push the lymph fluid out of the swollen part of your body while rerouting them to functioning areas.

This is a VERY gentle massage, with just enough pressure to drain the lymph fluid.

This should not be confused with a traditional massage, which can further damage the lymphatic areas.

MLD is effective at both prevention and treatment of lymphedema.

So, if you are out of surgery and your doctor did not prescribe MLD, ask your provider if you can have a referral for lymphedema prevention.

However, for best results, it should be combined with exercise, proper skin care, and compression and elevation.

Your therapist can also combine MLD with a traditional massage to help break up any scar tissue and tightness after surgery or radiation.

This is by far one of the best forms of treatment you could treat yourself with to recover and flourish as a survivor.

2. COMPRESSION THERAPY is a very important tool in the treatment of lymphedema.

Even when MLD is performed correctly, swelling does not decrease without compression.

At the same time, even if you haven’t received MLD and there is proper fitting with compression, you could see some decrease in lymphedema.

The main purpose is to limit the amount of fluids going back into the swollen area once the fluid has been pressed out.

Thus, compression sleeves, garments, bandages, bras, and tops can help improve lymph circulation and keep fluid from coming back in once it has been taken out.

Compression garments should feel tight and snug and should be professionally fitted to get the best treatment, as they require a certain amount of pressure to push the fluid out.

Generally:

Mild (8-15 mmHg of pressure) and medium (15-20 mmHg of pressure) compression is for aches and pains in joints or muscles.
Class 1-firm compression (20-30 mmHg of pressure) is used as the starting point to increase lymphatic flow and treat or prevent lymphedema.
Class 2-extra firm compression (30-40 mmHg of pressure) is used for severe lymphedema.
Medical compression (40-60 mmHg of pressure) is for custom prescriptions.

Your sleeve should be snug but not painful and should be properly fitted.

Talk to your physical therapist to get it fitted or your oncologist to know what sleeve you should use.

Sleeves should be worn most of the day or as prescribed by your physician.

Ensure that you are wearing compression sleeves while traveling by air, exercising, or whenever you are feeling discomfort

3. EXERCISE

Exercise can be helpful in prevention and treatment for lymphedema.

It is one of the four pillars in lymphedema treatment.

For more information on everything you need to know about exercise and lymphedema, check out “can I lift weights after lymph node removal?”

Keep in mind: lower body lymphedema will require different exercises, so for the best exercises for lower body lymphedema, check out the best at-home exercises for leg lymphedema.

The key is to progress properly and slowly at your own pace.

Avoid strenuous activities and keep exercises to low-impact

Shoot for 150 minutes of brisk walking a week and lifting small light weights 2-3x a week.

Work on doing 1-3 sets for 6-15 reps per exercise.

Keep in mind, “heavy is relative to what your body can do.”

Stretching will be another great way to improve your exercise routine by helping reduce muscular imbalances, weak points, limits in range of motion, and stiffness.

Make sure to wear a sleeve when you are exercising and avoid saunas, as they can affect lymphedema.

4. SKIN CARE is an important part of lymphedema care.

The use of sunscreen and lotion can help keep your skin healthy, moisturized, and infection-free—while avoiding sunburns.

In addition, make sure to avoid injections, blood draws, and blood pressure tests on the affected areas, opting instead to have those operated on the least affected arm or leg.

Avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures, such as hot tubs, saunas, and heating pads or ice packs in the affected area.

Properly clean cuts and scrapes well with soap, water, and antibacterial ointment to prevent infection. Dry brushing may also be helpful.

This is a form of self-massage that uses a bristle brush to push lymph fluid towards the core.

Many people believe dry brushing works for lymphatic drainage, but there is limited-to-no scientific evidence that supports this claim.

Still, dry brushing twice a week can be a form of self-care to exfoliate the skin, and you might even find it relaxing and enjoyable.

This should be done on dry skin before showering or bathing to remove the dry or dead skin.

Dry brushing may be helpful for the skin, but it’s not a replacement for medical care.

If you spot symptoms like swelling in your arms or legs, pain, or skin changes, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider—and not just try to “dry brush it away.”

WHAT ABOUT WHAT I EAT?

NUTRITION

One of the most important components of cancer prevention is your nutrition.

But what you eat can also help build muscle and lose fat.

The risk of lymphedema increases with excess amounts of weight.

So, keeping your weight down and increasing muscle would help decrease the risk of lymphedema and treat it.

Focus on avoiding:

ham
sausage
hot dogs
pepperoni
beef jerky
roast beef

If you are not sure if what you are having is processed, check the ingredient list for words like:

nitrate
nitrite
cured
salted

Keep in mind, even meats labeled “uncured” still can have nitrates and nitrites in them.

Also, skip nitrate-free meats. These meats may have less nitrates and nitrites.

But, they’re not nitrate-free.

Instead, try adding the following to your diet.

berries
leafy greens
citrus
nuts
seeds
garlic
turmeric
ginger
water
green tea

Your diet doesn’t have to be perfect, but can you shoot for one salad a day, two fruits and 3 cups of water.

Keeping it simple will give you the best results

While this sounds like a lot to manage, taking it one day at a time and setting up a proper routine is best to keep your head clear and your body healthy.

Get started on your exercise journey

If you are ready to start your exercise and fat-loss journey but don’t know where to start, grab your free fat-loss guide below.

It is equipped with fat-loss tips and 101 workouts to get you started on your fitness journey.

grab your free exercise guide