Some foods can exacerbate lymphedema symptoms because of the way they are processed and the additives or high salt content they contain. These foods include added sugars — specifically fructose — refined grains, chemically modified fats and most animal and dairy products.
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.
Lymphedema happens when the lymphatic system becomes damaged or overwhelmed and can't clear lymph fast enough, so the fluid builds up and causes swelling. Sometimes, an injury or an infection can trigger lymphedema, especially if you have fewer lymph nodes as a result of breast cancer surgery.
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.
Keep Protein in Your Diet
When you do not eat enough protein, fluid can seep from your bloodstream into your tissues, making lymphedema worse. For this reason, you should work healthy protein from seeds, nuts, eggs, legumes, fish, poultry and tofu into your regular diet.
Avoid diuretics (“water pills”), alcohol and caffeine.
Alcohol and caffeine could also function like diuretics. They both could dilate the lymph tissue and cause more swelling, and as a result, exacerbate the lymphedema.
There's no cure for lymphedema. Treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and preventing complications.
Deep breathing is helpful for all types of lymphoedema, even head and neck swelling. It works by changing the pressure in your tummy (abdomen) and chest. This encourages lymph to flow back into the blood system. Deep breathing can also help you to relax.
Lymphoedema may not prevent you from continuing with your usual lifestyle and activities. However, you may need to modify some aspect of your life if these involve a lot of activity, or inactivity, of a swollen limb. Try to continue with your life as normally as possible but listen to your 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.
On the contrary, foods such as salt, caffeine, omega 6 or 9, alcohol, and sweets exert the opposite effect [32, 49]. Thus, they should be avoided by patients with lymphedema.
Lymphedema treatments vary depending on your condition's cause and stage. Treatments may include physical therapy or other treatment to keep lymphatic fluid moving and reduce swelling and pain. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe antibiotics for infections or pain medication.
To provide your body with Potassium, avoid refined salt (sodium) and consume more Potassium –rich foods such as raw vegetable salads, potatoes (in skin), watermelon and bananas.
Water. Maybe it isn't a food, but it is vital to life. Drink plenty of clean, purified water. Water keeps the lymph fluid hydrated and flowing smoothly.
It may get old to hear, but drinking water is crucial to every aspect of your health, including your lymph system! Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep fluids flowing instead of clogging up your system.
Although lymphedema has no cure, there are many things that can be done to help make it manageable. Many of the most effective ways to manage lymphedema are as simple as changes in lifestyle.
Reduce Sodium Intake
Salt causes the body to retain fluid, and consuming too much can worsen lymphedema symptoms.
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.
Lymphedema can't be cured, but it can be managed. Any swelling should be checked by a healthcare provider right away. There's no way to know who will and won't get lymphedema, but there are things that can be done to help prevent it.
There is no cure for lymphoedema, but it is usually possible to control the main symptoms using techniques to minimise fluid build-up and stimulate the flow of fluid through the lymphatic system.
Diet recommendations for lymphedema are:
– Almond, coconut, and hemp milk are included in the primary list while sweetened dairy milk should be avoided. – Fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, pickles, and kimchi provide good bacteria for gut health.
Stay Hydrated
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.
Avoid excessive sun exposure and wear sunscreen daily. A sunburn places an extra burden on the lymphatic system and can increase swelling. Wear protective shoes, particularly in oceans and lakes, to prevent cuts and risk of infection.