Massage can ease lymphedema swelling
DEAR DOCTOR: I have Stage 1 lymphedema in my left leg, which causes pain and swelling. I do self-massages every morning, but it’s not enough. Can anything reverse this?
DEAR READER: The characterized by swelling lymphatic system is part of that can subside if the limb the circulatory system of is kept elevated for up to the body — only instead 24 hours. If not treated of circulating blood, it circulates properly, Stage 1 lymphedema lymph, a clear fluid can develop into that contains waste products Stage 2 or Stage 3, causing from proteins; cells, inflammation, infections including white blood and scarring of the dermis, cells; and sometimes bacteria. the thick layer of skin Lymph nodes filter below its surface. In Stages the lymph 2 and 3, lymph can’t return of infection to the heart, even with elevation and of the legs. possible Keep your legs elevated cancer as much as possible cells. The and avoid positions that lymph put more pressure on the eventually lymphatic system, such as drains prolonged standing, sitting upward or resting cross-legged. toward Keep your weight down, the heart, because obesity can worsen where it returns into the lymphedema. Watch for bloodstream. When the signs of infection, and help lymphatic system is disrupted, prevent infection by keeping it leads to lymphedema, skin moist to prevent the swelling of an small breaks in it. arm or leg caused by stagnant The type of massage fluid within the limb. that you do, called lymphatic
Such disruptions can drainage, helps occur due to infection or move lymphatic fluid cancer in the lymph nodes; upward. Physical therapists radiation therapy or node trained in manual removal as part of cancer lymphatic drainage can treatment; or sometimes, accentuate this upward due to none of these causes. movement, as can the daytime The latter is termed use of compression primary lymphedema. The stockings. condition is often inherited; Robert Ashley, M.D., is is more likely to occur an internist and assistant
in the legs; and is more professor of medicine at the
common in women. University of California,
Stage 1 lymphedema is Los Angeles.