I have lymphedema in my right leg, but I don't know what caused it. Actually....You need to watch your salt and fat intake.
What Causes Lymphedema?
Primary lymphedema, which can affect from one to as many as four limbs and/or other parts of the body, can be present at birth, develop at the onset of puberty (praecox) or in adulthood (tarda), all from unknown causes, or associated with vascular anomolies such as hemangioma, lymphangioma, Port Wine Stain, Klippel Trenaury.
Secondary lymphedema, or acquired lymphedema, can develop as a result of surgery, radiation, infection or trauma. Specific surgeries, such as surgery for melanoma or breast, gynecological, head and neck, prostate or testicular, bladder or colon cancer, all of which currently require removal of lymph nodes, put patients at risk of developing secondary lymphedema. If lymph nodes are removed, there is always a risk of developing lymphedema.
Secondary lymphedema can develop immediately post-operatively, or weeks, months, even years later. It can also develop when chemotherapy is unwisely administered to the already affected area (the side on which the surgery was performed) or after repeated aspirations of a seroma (a pocket of fluid which occurs commonly post-operatively) in the axilla, around the breast incision, or groin area. This often causes infection and, subsequently, lymphedema.
Aircraft flight has also been linked to the onset of lymphedema in patients post-cancer surgery (likely due to the decreased cabin pressure). For more information, see the NLN Position Paper on Air Travel (pdf format, 231kb).
Another cause of lower extremity lymphedema is that resulting from the use of Tamoxifen. This medication can cause blood clots and subsequent DVT (deep venous thrombosis).
Radiation therapy, used in the treatment of various cancers and some AIDS-related diseases (such as Kaposi-Sarcoma), can damage otherwise healthy lymph nodes and vessels, causing scar tissue to form which interrupts the normal flow of the lymphatic fluid. Radiation can also cause skin dermatitis or a burn similar to sunburn. It is important to closely monitor the radiated area for any skin changes, such as increased temperature, discoloration (erythema) or blistering which can lead into the development of lymphedema. Be sure to keep the area soft with lotion recommended by your radiation oncologist.
Lymphedema can develop secondary to lymphangitis (an infection) which interrupts normal lymphatic pathway function. A severe traumatic injury in which the lymphatic system is interrupted and/or damaged in any way may also trigger the onset of lymphedema. Although extremely rare in developed countries, there is a form of lymphedema called Filariasis which affects as many as 200 million people worldwide (primarily in the endemic areas of southeast Asia, India and Africa). When the filarial larvae from a mosquito bite enters the lymphatic system, these larvae mature into adult worms in the peripheral lymphatic channels, causing severe lymphedema in the arms, legs and genitalia (also known as Elephantiasis). In theory, fat and salt intake should have relatively little to do with lymphedema as long as one is eating an already health diet...moderation is the key. In fact, some experts have stated
"no nutritional or dietary restrictions are recommended for minimizing lymphedema."
Furthermore: "The rules on foods to avoid or consume in moderation are much like
the guidelines given for non-lymphedema people."
This is because lymphedema is characterized by an ineffeciency of the lymphatic system resulting in a build up of fluids and proteins in between the cells of the body. This is in contrast to edema caused by venous insufficiency and water retention. These types of edema are caused primarily by a build up of water and solutes in the tissues while the transport of proteins through the lymphatic system remains adequte. In venous insufficiency and water retention, too high of a salt intake can increase edema because of osmotic pressure (the desire of your body to make the inside and the outside of the cells with the same concentration of salts).
It's the proteins in lymphedema that give it it's hard, fibrotic feel to it while other types of edema may feel more like "a water baloon." Lymphedema can occur in people who have undergone cancer sugery with removal of lymphnodes in the affected extremity. People can also be born with lymphedema as is Milroy's disease, or it can occur later in life as a latent lymphedema. Lastly, severe trauma to the lymphatic system is also a cause for this condition.
So, in general, salt and fat don't necessarily have a specific influence on lymphedema. No specific studies on low-salt and low-fat diets have demonstrated further advantage of management. However, it is recommended to eat a well-balanced diet to keep the immune system working properly. Follow the advice of your physician or at least the RDA guidlines for the allowances of salt and fat (as most people should anyway). |
