Choose grilled or baked lean proteins, like fish or poultry, and use higher fat meat, like beef and pork, sparingly. Also consider low-sugar Greek yogurt and cottage cheese for versatile lean proteins. Choose carbs like sweet potatoes, beans, brown rice and oatmeal, which have fiber.
Nevertheless, if we have to point out the best tea for lymphatic drainage, the gold medal undoubtedly goes to Red Root tea.
Avoid trauma or injury to the affected area. Avoid heavy lifting with the affected arm. No new tattoos in the affected area. Do not wear tight clothing, bands, shoes, or jewelry on the affected area.
Axillary or inguinal lymph node injury is the most significant risk factor for developing lymphedema. Trauma to the lymphatic vasculature must be severe to cause lymphedema.
Avoid skin infections, burns, and injuries
Your body responds to infection, burn, or injury to the skin by sending extra fluid and white blood cells to the area. If lymph nodes and vessels are missing or damaged, it's harder for your body to move this extra fluid, which can trigger or worsen lymphedema.
There is no Medicare coverage for lymphedema compression bandage application as this is considered to be an unskilled service. This non-coverage extends to the application of high compression, multi-layered, sustained bandage systems (e.g., Profore®, Dynaflex®, Supress®, coded with CPT® 29581 or 29584.
Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine and Diuretics
Does drinking water help with lymphedema? 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.
Citrus. Citrus fruits aid hydration, carry powerful antioxidants and enzymes, and help cleanse and protect the lymphatic system.
Start at the top of your leg. Place one hand on the inside of your leg and one hand on the back of your leg, without straining your wrist, hand or arm. Gently stretch and release the skin from the inside of your leg towards the side of your leg and up towards your hip. Shift your hands lower on your leg and repeat.
Staying Hydrated for Lymphedema
Because fluid retention can make swelling worse, many people conclude they should drink less water. But it's important to stay hydrated to keep the body in balance. Dehydration tells the body to start retaining fluid. By contrast, healthy hydration keeps flushing sodium out of the body.
avoiding very hot baths and showers – the heat from saunas, steam rooms and sun beds may increase the swelling. using sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) to prevent sunburn. wearing gloves for gardening and household tasks to avoid cuts if your upper limbs are affected.
The recommended treatment for lymphoedema is decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT). DLT is not a cure for lymphoedema, but it can help control the symptoms. Although it takes time and effort, the treatment can be used to bring lymphoedema under control.
Causes of Lymphedema
By far the commonest cause of lymphedema in U.S. is due to narrowing or blockage of veins. Veins have valves that keep the blood flow going towards the heart. If the valves don't work properly, see-sawing of the blood may result leading to poor venous circulation. This may also cause lymphedema.
Heart conditions: People who have heart issues, particularly congestive heart failure, may develop lymphedema. Your lymphatic ducts empty lymph back into your heart. If your heart isn't working as well as it should, you may notice you're gaining weight or your legs are swollen.
How does stress affect the Lymphatic System? When we experience stress, cortisol (a stress fighting hormone) is released, resulting in metabolic acidosis. Cortisol's acidic nature can cause a breakdown of lymphoid tissue and impede lymphatic flow.
Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) remains the gold standard in the therapy of lymphedema. The first stage is performed by therapists in specialized centers and includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, exercise, and skin care.
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.
If your skin looks and feels 'normal', any bland moisturiser will be suitable, but if your skin is visibly dry and/or scaly a soap substitute followed by a suitable moisturiser/emollient should be used – suitable examples include epiderm, coconut oil BP, aveeno cream, diprobase, double base, lipobase, Hydromol cream.