Absolutely! Because the body is more prone to hold onto excess liquid when it feels dehydrated, drinking enough water is especially important for those with lymphedema so they can maintain a healthy fluid and chemical balance.
Looking After Your Lymphatic System
Drink plenty of water – Dehydration is one of the most common causes of lymphatic congestion which can further exacerbate existing lymph problems. Drinking sufficient water throughout the day encourages healthy lymphatic function and reduces water retention.
Liposuction is the only treatment available to lipedema patients that eliminates the troublesome fat deposits from the legs, hips, buttocks, stomach, and/or arms. Liposuction enables doctors to improve the look of the legs and restore better mobility for the long-term.
Although prescription medications and creams can treat edema, it is essential to drink enough water. When your body is not hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it already has to make up for the lack of incoming water, thus contributing to swelling.
Compression – wearing special clothing or bandages that gently squeeze the part of your body that's affected and encourage the fluid to drain away. Massage – a special type of massage called Manual Lymphatic Drainage encourages the fluid to drain away.
However, lipedema frequently does worsen with time due to the general trend toward increasing body weight and obesity (which is itself a progressive disease) with age. Psychological distress is often also a progressive disorder, one that typically amplifies feelings of pain and diminishes willpower and general health.
The only way to ultimately stop the advanced stages of lipedema is through surgical intervention, such as water-assisted liposuction, in which our physician, Dr. Daniel J.
However, healthy eating is very important for people with lipedema as the growth of normal fat is thought to promote lipedema fat growth. Lymph sparing tumescent liposuction and water jet assisted liposuction are the only methods that are known to reduce the number of lipedema fat cells at this time.
Treatment for lipedema
This can help reduce the risk of scarring and increase blood flow to the area, which may help with pain reduction. A 2017 study found that manual lymphatic drainage massage combined with vibration therapy can effectively treat lipedema.
Aerobic exercises such as swimming, walking and cycling are especially recommended because they increase lymphatic drainage and improve blood flow through the affected limbs. High impact exercising (i.e. jogging, step-aerobics) or contact sports are better avoided as they may exacerbate join pain and lead to bruising.
The lymphatic system requires water to flow properly. After all, lymph fluid is primarily composed of water and must be hydrated to function and flow. Drinking at least 1 litre of warm lemon water in the morning is a great way to get the lymphatic system moving to help expel toxins.
Regular physical exercise is a great way to get your lymphatic system pumping and detoxing your system of waste. Jumping, walking, stretching, yoga, Pilates, and other moderate exercises done on a daily basis will really improve the state of your lymph.
Epsom salts work magic on the lymphatic system due to their high levels of Magnesium, a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In combination with the natural diuretic quality of mineral salts and the temperature of the water, Epsom salt baths have been shown to stimulate lymph circulation in the body.
Treatment includes changes to the composition of your diet, use of compression stockings, bandaging affected areas, low-impact exercise, massage and water-based activities. Specialised liposuction for lipoedema can assist when other treatments have not been effective.
The best exercises for lipoedema are non weight bearing. Things like swimming, cycling, yoga and stretching. Yoga can be chair based if this suits you better. Walking and Nordic walking (where you walk with sticks for a full body work out) are great low impact options.
A helpful diagnostic tool to distinguish lipedema from lymphedema is to pinch the skin over the dorsum of the base of the second toe (Stemmer sign); thickened skin that is difficult to lift off of the underlying tissue is considered diagnostic for lymphedema.
What causes lipedema? The exact cause of lipedema is unknown. But the condition runs in families in 20% to 60% of cases, so you may inherit it. The condition occurs almost exclusively in women and people AFAB.
Lipedema is sometimes characterized by pain and diet-resistant fat tissue accumulation in the subcutaneous tissue. This means that it is very difficult for us lipedema patients to lose fat in the affected areas through diet or exercise.
Obesity is the result of being overweight, which can cause fat to develop in the legs. Lipedema is the disproportionate setting of fat in arms and legs, unrelated to body weight, often associated with prominent swelling, common pain, and a column-like look. Lipedema can appear in both thin and obese individuals alike.
The best weapon in the fight against swollen legs is a simple one: walking. Getting your legs moving means circulation is improved which will sweep up that collected fluid and get it shifted.
Cranberry juice is another natural diuretic. You can substitute a glass of cranberry juice for one glass of water each day to decrease water retention. Most foods that are high in vitamin C also have natural diuretic properties.