Jodi Romaker MLD Buckinghamshire

WHAT IS LYMPHOEDEMA ?

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Lymphoedema is a long-term chronic condition that refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid that is usually drained through the body's lymphatic system. However, when the lymph system is blocked or damaged, the lymph fluid struggles to move along and drain, which causes the fluid to back up into the surrounding tissues. 

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Lymphedema happens when your tissues retain fluid left behind after your cardiovascular system sends blood to your tissues and organs.

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The remaining fluid is called lymph. Normally, your lymphatic system collects your lymph and returns it to your heart via a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. When something disrupts your lymphatic system’s process, lymph collects in areas of your body, making them swell.

Lymphoedema commonly affects the arms or legs, but can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck and genitals.

 

There are two types of lymphoedema — primary and secondary.

What is primary lymphoedema?
Primary lymphoedema comes from inherited conditions that affect how your lymphatic system develops. Altered or mutated genes cause the parts of the lymphatic system responsible for draining fluid to not develop properly or not work as they should. Primary lymphoedema often runs in families, although not every child born to someone with the condition will develop it themselves.

What is secondary lymphedema?
Secondary lymphoedema develops in people who previously had a normal lymphatic system that then becomes damaged.. It is common in people who’ve had breast cancer treatment. However, not everyone who has breast cancer treatment develops lymphoedema.
 

Secondary lymphoedema can also be caused by other factors, including:
• Trauma and injury
• Cancer, Cancer surgery, or treatment for cancer
• Radiation
• Lymph node removal
• Infections (such as cellulitis)
• Obesity
• Lack of activity
• Inflammation (Medical conditions that cause tissue to become red and swollen can also permanently damage the lymphatic     system such as psoriasis and atopic eczema
• Blood vessel issues / Venous diseases

Lymphoedema complications may include:
• Skin infections (cellulitis).
• Sepsis.
• Leakage through the skin. With severe swelling, the lymph fluid can drain through small breaks in the skin or cause blistering.
• Skin changes. In some people with very severe lymphedema, the skin of the affected limb can thicken and harden so it resembles the skin of an elephant.
• Cancer. A rare form of soft tissue cancer can result from the most-severe cases of untreated lymphoedema.

Your lymphatic system is made up of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, and organs that carry lymph fluid and cells throughout the body to help fight infection. It is important to try to keep your lymph moving.