Lymphatic System and Lymphedema 101

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is a network of low-pressure vessels which provide a route for the return of interstitial fluid to the blood vascular network. A network of lymph ducts is present throughout the body. It moves fluids back to the circulatory system, while also providing important immune functions.

Nearly 20 liters of blood plasma is filtered through capillaries every day. A large proportion of this tissue fluid moves directly to the veins, and back to the heart. However, the lymphatic system processes nearly 20% of this fluid (about 4L), which escapes from capillaries and cells.

The lymphatic system consists of lymph vessels (types of lymph vessels are discussed below), lymph nodes, and organs such as the tonsils, spleen, and thymus. Unlike the blood vascular system, lymphatic circulation is not a closed loop. It creates a one-directional flow of Lymph towards the heart. Lymph reenters the cardiovascular system at subclavian veins situated near the neck

There are two major functions of the lymphatic system. The first is to drain interstitial fluid and maintain the fluid balance between blood and tissue fluid. The second is to fight infection and mediate immunity.

How does the lymphatic system work?

The lymphatic system is composed of small lymph capillaries all over your body just under the surface of your skin.  They pull fluid into them when you have accumulation of fluid (for example from swelling from a surgery) and transport it into larger and larger vessels until it is eventually re-deposited into your blood system.  Along the way there are lymph nodes which serve to produce immune cells, trap foreign matter and regulate fluid volume.  When they become damaged (as discussed above) there is often swelling which occurs in the territory that drains to those nodes.

The lymphatic system moves fluid through what we call lymphangion activity.  This activity is intrinsic (meaning it pumps by itself unlike say the veins in our body) and is at work when we are relaxed (sympathetic nervous system).  However, we can also help it work more effectively by manual lymph drainage (a stretch & pull of the skin), gentle exercise, short-stretch compression bandaging and deep breathing.

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is swelling in part of the body caused by a build-up of lymph fluid. It can be a side effect of cancer treatment or vein insufficiency.  The lymph system moves fluid throughout the body. Lymphedema can happen if lymph vessels are damaged, if there is too much fluid and backup of pressure from the veins, if lymph nodes were removed during surgery or a side effect of radiation treatment.

When you remove lymph nodes or they become scarred down you have a decreased transport capacity to handle normal fluid, causing swelling. When it’s more of a vein problem then you have an too much fluid on a normal capacity system, also causing swelling. Either way the solution is the same!

How can we improve lymphatic system function and what do we do to treat lymphedema?

Complete decongestive therapy is the gold standard for lymphedema and lymphatic system optimization.

What does this mean?

• Manual lymphatic drainage aka lymphatic massage:
• This is a type of skin stretch massage done by certified and highly trained lymphedema therapists. In these treatments, the fluid is cleared out of the way and then redirected into intact lymph nodes and accessory lymph pathways.
• There are also pumps out there that sometimes we can get covered by insurance that helps pump the fluid the way manual lymphatic drainage would pump the fluid. That way you can work on your lymphatic drainage at home!
• Compression garments
• Compression garments are essential for assisting the pumping mechanism of the lymphatic system and vein system. We like to say this helps keep the swelling down.
• There’s a lot of different types of compression garments, not just the traditional, hard-to-pull-on socks. Our skilled lymphedema therapists can help show you different options and how they all work!
• Medicare and some insurances cover compression garments so it opens doors to a lot of options.
• Exercise
• Any exercise is good exercise!Exercise causes our muscle pumps to assist lymphatic fluid movement or blood/vein pumping.
• Rhythmic exercise tends to be most helpful for lymphatic fluid because your lymphatic fluid moves rhythmically! Walking, biking and swimming are all rhythmic exercises that can be super helpful. Swimming is amazing because the buoyancy effect is the opposite of gravity and assists the fluid moving upward from the legs.
• Some people like vibration plates and trampolines (and these aren’t bad things) but you don’t need to purchase expensive equipment to get your lymphatic fluid moving!
• Deep Breathing
• Diaphragmatic breathing or deep breathing creates pressure changes in the abdomen and chest cavity with each breath, which naturally massages and pushes lymph fluid through the lymphatic vessels, effectively stimulating its drainage and circulation throughout the body
• Skin care
• Skin care is essential to preventing lymphedema and preventing infection.Dry skin is both a risk factor and a side effect of swelling.
• Any cracks, scrapes, scratches could be a potential for an infection to get into your body. For someone with a slowed or congested lymphatic system this is a high risk for infection because your body isn’t clearing and filtering that infection out!
• Here’s a great website for clean products and will rate skincare and cleaning products on a cancer & allergy concern: ewg.org

Want to know more or have questions?! Schedule an appointment or email us saltlightwellnessnv@gmail.com