LymphCoach: Prevent & Manage Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Lymphatic System

Lin Coleman — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 00:38:46 +0000

The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a subsystem of the circulatory system in the vertebrate body that consists of a complex network of vessels, tissues, and organs.

It helps maintain fluid balance in the body by collecting excess fluid and particulate matter from tissues and depositing them in the bloodstream.

As blood circulates through the body, blood plasma leaks into tissues through the thin walls of the capillaries. The portion of blood plasma that escapes is called interstitial or extracellular fluid, and it contains oxygen, glucose, amino acids, and other nutrients needed by tissue cells. Although most of this fluid seeps immediately back into the bloodstream, a percentage of it, along with the particulate matter, is left behind.

The lymphatic system removes this fluid and these materials from tissues, returning them via the lymphatic vessels to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system also helps defend the body against infection.

What are the main organs of the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system is commonly divided into the primary lymphoid organs, which are the sites of B and T cell maturation, and the secondary lymphoid organs, in which further differentiation of lymphocytes occurs.
Primary lymphoid organs include the thymus, bone marrow, and fetal liver and, in birds, a structure called the bursa of Fabricius.
In humans the thymus and bone marrow are the key players in immune function.
All lymphocytes derive from stem cells in the bone marrow. Stem cells destined to become B cells remain in the bone marrow as they mature, while prospective T cells migrate to the thymus to undergo further growth.
Mature B and T cells exit the primary lymphoid organs and are transported via the bloodstream to the secondary lymphoid organs, where they become activated by contact with foreign materials, or antigens.

In addition to serving as a drainage network, the lymphatic system helps protect the body against infection by producing white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help rid the body of disease-causing microorganisms.

The organs and tissues of the lymphatic system are the major sites of production, differentiation, and proliferation of two types of lymphocytes—the T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, also called T cells and B cells, respectively.

Although lymphocytes are distributed throughout the body, it is within the lymphatic system that they are most likely to encounter foreign microorganisms.

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Lymphedema

Lin Coleman — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 22:50:20 +0000

Lymphedema can be caused by cancer treatments, such as surgery or radiation, that affect the lymph nodes. It can also result from infections, inherited disorders, or parasites that clog the lymph vessels.

Lymphedema causes major severity in the person when it affects the hand and the legs as these are the major organs that debilitate any person.

Lymphoedema is thought to affect more than 200,000 people in the UK. Primary lymphoedema is rare and is thought to affect around 1 in every 6,000 people. Secondary lymphoedema is much more common.

It’s the most common form of primary lymphoedema representing 75-80% of the cases. It manifests itself in adolescence, with women being affected four times as often as men.

Symptoms of lymphedema can range from mild to severe. They include swelling of part or all of the limb, pain, tightness, difficulty moving, skin changes, and increased risk of infection.

There is no cure for lymphedema, but treatments can help reduce the swelling and prevent complications. Some of the treatments are exercises, massage, compression bandages or garments, and pneumatic pumps.

Surgery can help some lymphedema patients by changing lymph flow, removing tissue, or both. Other treatments are usually also needed.

Lymphedema affects your well-being and health. See your doctor for swelling, infection, or sepsis signs. Prevent injuries, look after your skin, and seek support.

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Lymphatic System Diseases

Lin Coleman — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 01:04:38 +0000

Conditions and Disorders

What conditions and disorders affect the lymphatic system?
Many conditions can affect the various parts of your lymphatic system. Some happen during development before birth or during childhood. Others develop as a result of disease or injury. Some common diseases and disorders of the lymphatic system include:

Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). Infection, inflammation and cancer cause swollen (enlarged) lymph nodes. Common infections that can cause enlarged lymph nodes include strep throat, mononucleosis, HIV and infected skin wounds.

Lymphadenitis refers to lymphadenopathy that’s caused by an infection or inflammatory condition.
Swelling or accumulation of fluid (lymphedema). A blockage in your lymphatic system due to scar tissue from damaged lymph vessels or nodes can cause lymphedema. It can also happen when your lymph nodes have been removed to treat a condition like cancer. With lymphedema, fluid most commonly builds up in your arms or legs. It can be very mild or quite painful and disabling. People with lymphedema are at risk for serious and potentially life-threatening deep skin infections.

Cancers of the lymphatic system.

Lymphoma is cancer of the lymph nodes that occurs when lymphocytes grow and multiply uncontrollably. There are several different types of lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Cancerous tumors can also block lymphatic ducts or be near lymph nodes and interfere with the flow of lymph through the node.
Other disorders include:

Lymphangitis.

This is an inflammation of your lymph vessels.

Lymphangioma.

This is a condition that you’re born with. It involves the presence of noncancerous, fluid-filled bumps (cysts) under your skin due to overgrown lymph vessels.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia.

Loss of lymph tissue in your small intestine leads to loss of protein, gamma globulins, albumin and lymphocytes.

Lymphocytosis.

With this condition, there’s a higher-than-normal amount of lymphocytes in your body.
Lymphatic filariasis. This is a parasitic infection that causes the lymphatic system to malfunction.

Castleman disease. Castleman disease involves an overgrowth of cells in your body’s lymphatic system.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. This is a rare disease in which abnormal muscle-like cells begin to grow out of control in your lungs, lymph nodes and kidneys.

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. This is a rare genetic disorder in which there’s a high number of lymphocytes in your lymph nodes, liver and spleen.
Mesenteric lymphadenitis. This is an inflammation of the lymph nodes in your belly (abdomen).

Lymphedema and lymphatic disorders refer to diseases that affect the lymphatic system — the network of tissues, vessels, and organs that move a specific fluid called lymph throughout the body. They occur when the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked, preventing lymph from circulating normally.

Left untreated, these disorders can cause pain, itching, swelling, and other complications such as skin infections.

Treatment for lymphedema and lymphatic disorders will depend on your diagnosis, stage of lymphedema, and related medical problems. Treatment may include manual lymphatic therapies, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise, compression garments pneumatic pumps, dietary management, or surgery.

Lymphedema
The most common lymphatic disease is lymphedema. It is swelling of a body part caused by a lymphatic fluid buildup in the tissues. Lymphedema most often occurs in the arms and legs, but it can also affect the head, chest, breast, abdomen, and genitals. Lymphedema occurs when a blocked or damaged lymphatic system causes fluid to build up in the limbs, and lymph can’t flow through the body as normal. Lymphedema is the most common lymphatic and venous disorder.

Depending on your diagnosis, you may require treatment from:

physical and occupational therapists
physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists
a team dedicated to treating cancer-related lymphedema

Lipedema
Lipedema causes excess fat to collect in the lower half of the body, primarily in the buttocks, thighs, and calves. It mainly affects women and typically runs in families.

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What is Lipedema?

Lin Coleman — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 22:00:00 +0000

Lipedema is generally described as a chronic and generally progressive fat tissue disorder that almost exclusively affects women. It is characterized by a symmetrical enlargement of the lower body due to excessive fatty deposits from waist to the ankles, and patients also suffer from easy bruising, orthostatic edema, and pain. The condition is often confused with simple obesity, but often the fat deposits aren’t changed by weight loss. They can’t be starved or exercised away.

Heredity seems to play a part, and the onset of symptoms seems to coincide with times of significant hormonal upheaval, such as during puberty, pregnancy and menopause (Szel et al, 2014). Besides the disproportion between upper and lower body that occurs with lipedema, the most devastating feature may be that it is generally believed to be non-responsive to diet and exercise. First reported by physicians at the Mayo Clinic in 1940 (Wold, Hines & Allen, 1951), this condition continues to remain a poorly understood, largely under diagnosed, and profoundly impactful syndrome.

Gender and Lipedema

Gender is a major determinant of adipose tissue distribution. Research has shown that in general men are more prone to lipolysis, or fat burning, and women tend more toward lipogenesis, or fat creation and storage (Varlamov et al., 2015). Additionally, women have a tendency toward upper body lipolysis and lower body lipogenesis which may result in a lipedema presentation.

During puberty, females increasingly store subcutaneous fat throughout the body, with concentrations at the hips, buttocks and thighs. Women tend also to be more sensitive to insulin, the fat storage hormone, which puts them at higher risk for weight gain than men (Cignarella & Bolego, 2010).

Although considered by some clinicians to not be a lymphatic disorder, lipedema is a condition of concern because disrupted lymphatics are often a constituent of the condition. For instance, most women with this condition have some mild swelling and the increased sized of fat cells can interfere with lymphatic drainage.

Hence, a significant number of patients tend to also develop lymphedema.

Article Source: Lipedema

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Swollen Lymph Nodes

Lin Coleman — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 05:14:42 +0000

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Overview

Swollen lymph nodes usually occur as a result of infection from bacteria or viruses. Rarely, swollen lymph nodes are caused by cancer.

Your lymph nodes, also called lymph glands, play a vital role in your body’s ability to fight off infections. They function as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of your body.

Common areas where you might notice swollen lymph nodes include your neck, under your chin, in your armpits and in your groin.

In some cases, the passage of time and warm compresses may be all you need to treat swollen lymph nodes. If an infection causes swollen lymph nodes, treatment depends on the cause.

Symptoms

Your lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels and lymph nodes situated throughout your body. Many lymph nodes are located in your head and neck region.

Lymph nodes that frequently swell are in this area, as well as in your armpits and groin area.

Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong somewhere in your body.

When your lymph nodes first swell, you might notice:

- Tenderness and pain in the lymph nodes
- Swelling that may be the size of a pea or kidney bean, or even larger in the lymph nodes

Depending on the cause of your swollen lymph nodes, other signs and symptoms you might have include:

- Runny nose, sore throat, fever and other indications of an upper respiratory infection
- General swelling of lymph nodes throughout your body.

When this occurs, it may indicate an infection, such as HIV or mononucleosis, or an immune system disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis:

- Hard, fixed, rapidly growing nodes, indicating a possible cancer or lymphoma
- Fever
- Night sweats

When to see a doctor

Some swollen lymph nodes return to normal when the underlying condition, such as a minor infection, gets better.

See your doctor if you’re concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes:

- Have appeared for no apparent reason
- Continue to enlarge or have been present for two to four weeks
- Feel hard or rubbery, or don’t move when you push on them
- Are accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss

Seek immediate medical care if you’re having difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Causes

Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped clusters of cells. Inside lymph nodes are a combination of different types of immune system cells. These specialized cells filter your lymphatic fluid as it travels through your body and protect you by destroying invaders.

Lymph nodes are located in groups, and each group drains a specific area of your body. You may be more likely to notice swelling in certain areas, such as in the lymph nodes in your neck, under your chin, in your armpits and in your groin. The site of the swollen lymph nodes may help identify the underlying cause.

The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is an infection, particularly a viral infection, such as the common cold. Other possible causes of swollen lymph nodes include:

- Common infections
- Strep throat
- Measles
- Ear infections
- Infected (abscessed) tooth
  Mononucleosis
- Skin or wound infections, such as cellulitis
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — the virus that causes AIDS
- Uncommon infections
- Tuberculosis
- Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis
- Toxoplasmosis — a parasitic infection resulting from contact with the feces of an infected cat or eating undercooked meat
  Cat scratch fever — a bacterial infection from a cat scratch or bite
- Immune system disorders
- Lupus — a chronic inflammatory disease that targets your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs
- Rheumatoid arthritis — a chronic inflammatory disease targeting the tissue that lines your joints (synovium)
- Cancers
- Lymphoma — cancer that originates in your lymphatic system
- Leukemia — cancer of your body’s blood-forming tissue, including your bone marrow and lymphatic system
- Other cancers that have spread (metastasized) to lymph nodes
- Other possible but rare causes include certain medications, such as the anti-seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin) and preventive medications for malaria.

Complications

If infection is the cause of your swollen lymph nodes and isn’t treated, an abscess may form. Abscesses are localized collections of pus caused by infections. Pus contains fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other invaders. An abscess may require drainage and antibiotic treatment.

Diagnosis

To diagnose what might be causing your swollen lymph nodes, your doctor may need:

- Your medical history. Your doctor will want to know when and how your swollen lymph nodes developed and if you have any other signs or symptoms.
- A physical exam. Your doctor will also want to check lymph nodes near the surface of your skin for size, tenderness, warmth and texture. The site of your swollen lymph nodes and your other signs and symptoms will offer clues to the underlying cause.
- Blood tests. Certain blood tests may help confirm or exclude any suspected underlying conditions. The specific tests will depend on the suspected cause, but most likely will include a complete blood count (CBC).

This test helps evaluate your overall health and detect a range of disorders, including infections and leukemia.

- Imaging studies. A chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan of the affected area may help determine potential sources of infection or find tumors.
- Lymph node biopsy. Your doctor may have you undergo a biopsy to secure the diagnosis. He or she will remove a sample from a lymph node or even an entire lymph node for microscopic examination.

Treatment

Swollen lymph nodes caused by a virus usually return to normal after the viral infection resolves. Antibiotics are not useful to treat viral infections.

Treatment for swollen lymph nodes from other causes depends on the cause:

- Infection. The most common treatment for swollen lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection is antibiotics. If your swollen lymph nodes are due to an HIV infection, you’ll receive specific treatment for that condition.
- Immune disorder. If your swollen lymph nodes are a result of certain conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, treatment is directed at the underlying condition.
- Cancer. Swollen nodes caused by cancer require treatment for the cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, treatment may involve surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

Self care

If your swollen lymph nodes are tender or painful, you might get some relief by doing the following:

- Apply a warm compress. Apply a warm, wet compress, such as a washcloth dipped in hot water and wrung out, to the affected area.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
- Get adequate rest. You often need rest to aid your recovery from the underlying condition.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have swollen lymph nodes, you’re likely to start by first seeing your family doctor.

When you call to set up your appointment, you may be urged to seek immediate medical care if you’re experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, ask if you need to do anything in advance.
- List any symptoms you’ve been experiencing, and for how long. Among other symptoms, your doctor will want to know if you’ve had flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or sore throat, and may ask whether you’ve noticed changes in your weight. Include on your list every symptom, from mild to severe, that you’ve noticed since your lymph nodes began to swell.
- Make a list of all recent exposures to possible sources of infection. These may include travel abroad, hiking in areas known to have ticks, eating undercooked meat, being scratched by a cat, or engaging in high-risk sexual behavior or sex with a new partner.
- Make a list of your key medical information, including other conditions you’re being treated for and the names of the medications that you’re taking. Include every prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug you use, as well as any vitamins and supplements.

List questions to ask your doctor.

For swollen lymph nodes, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

- What’s causing my symptoms?
- What are other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- How quickly will I start to feel better?
- Am I contagious? How can I reduce the risk of infecting others?
- How can I prevent this from happening in the future?
  I have these other health conditions. Do I need to change the treatments I’ve been using?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing for me?
- Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

- What are your symptoms?
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your affected lymph nodes gotten larger over time?
- Are your affected lymph nodes tender?
- Have you been experiencing a fever or night sweats?
- Have you lost weight without trying?
- Do you have a sore throat or difficulty swallowing?
- Have you experienced any difficulty breathing?
- Have your bowel habits changed?
- What medications are you currently taking?
- Have you recently traveled to another country or to tick-inhabited regions? Did anyone who traveled with you get sick?
- Have you recently been exposed to new animals? Were you bitten or scratched?
  Have you recently had sex with a new partner?
- Do you practice safe sex? Have you done so since you became sexually active?
- Do you smoke? For how long?

What you can do in the meantime

While you wait for your appointment, if your swollen nodes are painful, try easing your discomfort by using warm compresses and an OTC pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

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What is the Lymphatic System, and What Does it Do?

Lin Coleman — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 19:11:34 +0000

A Whole Person Care Approach
What is the Lymphatic System, and What Does it Do?

Written By: Dr. A. Joseph Friedmann Ph.D., RSM * Updated On: February 21, 2025

Most patients have heard of the lymphatic system, but few understand exactly what it is, what it does, and why it is important for their overall health. The lymphatic system controls fluid levels throughout the body and is also a primary part of the immune system.

Overall, lymphatic health helps other systems throughout the body work better, including the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. It can also be a key player in fighting infections and some cancers. This article provides an overview of the lymphatic system and its role in the body.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It plays a primary role in defending the body against infections and keeping body fluid levels in balance. Lymphatic vessels, tissues, organs, and glands drain a watery fluid called lymph from throughout the body.

Key components and their roles:

- Lymphatic vessels, similar to blood vessels, are found throughout the body. However, they carry a clear fluid called Lymph (Latin for Water) instead of blood. This fluid contains lymphocytes (white blood cells) and helps regulate infections.
- Bone marrow is the thick, spongy, jelly-like material found inside bones. It makes many kinds of blood cells, including red blood cells and immune system cells.
- The thymus gland, which sits between the lungs and just above the heart, makes specialized immune system cells called T cells. This occurs primarily before and during puberty.
- Tonsils sit at the back of the throat and help fight infection and disease. They help filter germs and toxins that enter the mouth and nose.
- The appendix is a small pouch-like organ at the end of the large intestine. While humans no longer need this organ, and its exact purpose is unknown, it seems to be part of the lymphatic system, acting as a post-digestion filter for bacteria and other harmful substances. It can, at times, get blocked and inflamed with bacteria, causing appendicitis.
- Lymph Nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymphatic fluid. They contain concentrations of white blood cells to help the body fight infection and disease. There are hundreds of lymph nodes throughout the body, with clusters in the neck, axilla (underarm), chest, abdomen, and groin.
- The spleen is a small organ inside the rib cage, just above the stomach. It stores and filters blood and makes white blood cells.
- Adenoids are small organs behind the nasal passage that trap germs entering the body through the nose and mouth. Adenoids begin to shrink around age 5 and usually disappear by adulthood.

The lymphatic system’s primary function is to balance the fluid volume in the body and carry it to the circulation for elimination by the kidneys. The lymphatic system eliminates excess protein molecules, microorganisms, and foreign particles when it does this. It carries antigens and leukocytes to lymph nodes, where immune cells are located.

In addition, the system can absorb fat-soluble vitamins and fatty substances in the gut via the gastrointestinal tract.

Recently, lymphatic vessels have been discovered near the spine and brain, which are believed to help keep the cerebrospinal fluid clean and uninfected. They may help prevent neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, meningitis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Figure 1: Lymphatic system diagram labeled

Functions of the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system has several functions related to health and the stability (homeostasis) of the human body. The system helps maintain the body’s stability in cellular and large organs. Those functions can be divided into four primary categories.

The lymphatic system’s main function is maintaining fluid levels in the body. During normal daily functioning, fluids leak between cells and organs and can build up in interstitial spaces. Those fluids would usually become trapped and cause swelling and discomfort. The lymphatic system pumps that fluid out of those trapped spaces and into the vasculature to be removed.
Another purpose of the lymphatic system is to help fat and fat-soluble nutrients. Like the interstitial fluids, these fats normally have difficulty entering the body. The lymphatic system absorbs these molecules, even against pressure gradients, and allows them to pass into the body’s circulatory system for transport and use.
Lymph nodes monitor the lymph flowing into them, and when they detect infection or disease, they produce T-cells and antibodies to fight the disease or infection.
The lymphatic system removes toxins and impurities from the body, such as carbon dioxide, sodium, and cellular byproducts, through perspiration, bowel movements, urine, and exhalation.

The lymphatic system works mainly through pressures between lymphatic fluids and the vasculature. For impurities, extracellular proteins, antibodies, and the rest to pass through, there has to be a higher pressure within the lymph systems than in the vasculature.

The lymphatic system interacts with the small capillaries, where pressures are reduced, to allow these items to flow into the bloodstream for removal. These small lymph capillaries interact with blood capillaries. The tissues’ fluid enters the lymph capillaries and is drained away. These fluids, termed lymph, also contain many white blood cells.

Figure 2: Interaction between lymphatic vessels and vascular capillaries

Conditions and Disorders of the Lymphatic System

The most common issue in the lymphatic system is lymphadenopathy, or swollen lymph nodes. Common infections, like strep throat, infected wounds, or mononucleosis can cause enlarged lymph nodes. Even a simple cold or the flu can cause swollen lymph nodes, especially the ones in the neck.

This is why palpating (feeling) the throat nodes is a common practice in medicine.

There are also specific lymphatic disorders, including:

Lymphedema is swelling that results from the build-up of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under the skin. Lymphedema can be caused by a variety of diseases, as well as direct damage to the lymphatic system. It occurs most commonly in the arms and lower legs. Signs of lymphedema include:
- Swelling, fullness, or heaviness in the breast, chest, shoulder, arm, hand, leg, or foot
- Skin changes such as dryness, discoloration, thickening, or dimpling
- Aching, tingling, numbness, pain, or discomfort
- Loss of flexibility in the joints
- Trouble putting clothes on, feeling clothes are tighter.
Castleman Disease is a group of rare disorders affecting the immune system similar to the flu or infection but without an infection being present. This disorder affects about 5,000 people per year in the United States. It creates an overactive immune response that can be damaging, even deadly if left untreated.
Lymphoma is a serious type of immune system cancer that should be immediately evaluated and treated by a team of physicians.
Any type of cancer can cause a disorder of the lymphatic system, as the immune system works overtime to deal with any type of cancer in the body. Any cancer treatment plan should involve monitoring the lymphatic system.

Testing and Diagnosis

Tests to check the health of the lymphatic system include a complete blood count (CBC) and palpation of the lymph nodes. If a lymphatic disorder is indicated, a clinician may order more extensive testing, such as a CT scan or MRI.

In addition to the standard tests, a clinician might order a lymphoscintigram. This is a specific test designed to examine the lymphatic system’s flow. The patient is injected with a radioactive dye that can be tracked by a scanner, showing how the dye moves through the lymphatic system to check for blockages.

Another advanced test is the Lymphocyte MAP test by Cyrex Labs, a newly developed test that measures several factors in the immune system, including lymphatic system health and its connection to the immune system.

Maintaining a Healthy Lymphatic System

Like any part of the body, diet, exercise, and lifestyle can affect the lymphatic system. It is important to ensure a healthy lifestyle includes steps to keep the lymphatic system flowing freely.

How can I keep my lymphatic system healthy?

A lymphatic-friendly diet should include fruits and vegetables, especially those high in antioxidants such as blueberries, lean meats such as salmon and chicken, and seeds and nuts.
Exercise encourages fluid to drain into the lymphatic system, specifically the abdomen, where it can be more easily cleared. Walking, swimming, and low-impact exercises such as Tai Chi are ideal for lymphatic help.
Deep breathing exercises are a great way to help the lymphatic system work properly. The deep, slow movements of the diaphragm are beneficial to overall lymphatic flow and health.
Proper hydration through water is key to keeping lymph fluids smooth and flowing freely.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Contact a healthcare provider if any of these symptoms persist:

Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Swollen lymph nodes may be a sign of common infections (like strep throat) or more serious conditions like cancer or HIV.
Unexplained swelling that lasts more than a few weeks or interferes with your daily activities

Key Takeaways

The Lymphatic System includes:

Thymus
Adenoids
Spleen
Tonsils
Appendix
Lymph Nodes

In addition, these organs interact with parts of the cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems. It interacts with these systems to:

Maintain the body’s fluid balance
Maintain homeostasis
Keep the immune system operating at peak efficiency

Understanding lymphatic health should be an important part of any patient’s overall health plan.

All patients should be encouraged to maintain their lymphatic health through:

Proper nutrition, such as blueberries and other foods high in antioxidants.
Exercise, especially low-impact, full-body movements such as walking.
Lifestyle changes, such as deep breathing exercises and proper hydration.

By keeping the lymphatic system healthy and operating at peak performance, patients can have another powerful tool in their quest to stay healthy, happy, and productive.

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

Lab Tests in This Article

Whole Blood

Measures the integrity of the immune system at the cellular level to help identify a patient’s immune status and immunotype(s), based on 28 key biomarkers and determinants. The Lymphocyte MAP™ is an innovative new test that establishes a new standard in screening the immune system. As the best measurement of immune health, it classifies different lymphocytes beyond the ordinary testing of lymphocyte subpopulations. It includes not only T and B cells and CD4/CD8 ratios, but also the very important Th1, Th2, Treg (regulatory T cells), and Th17 cells and their ratios, as well as a variety of natural killer (NK) cells such as CD56+, CD16+, CD56+ D16+, CD57+, CD57+CD8+, CD57+CD16+ (known as the superkillers), and the immunoregulatory NKT cells. Detects overall immune health of individuals and disorders associated with infections, cancers, allergies/hypersensitivities, mast cell activation, and autoimmunities. Developed and published by Aristo Vojdani, PhD, MSc, CLS, known as the father of functional immunology, in 2004, 2006, 2011, and 2024.

The post What is the Lymphatic System,
and What Does it Do? appeared first on LymphCoach: Prevent & Manage Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema.

Care of the Lymphatic System

Lin Coleman — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 01:18:14 +0000

Ignoring the health of your lymphatic system means your immunity is going to suffer, and you’re more likely to deal with common illnesses and even long-term health problems. Here are five ways to boost your immune system and, moreover, support a healthy lymphatic system:

1. Reduce Inflammation and Improve Circulation

Eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, getting enough sleep and reducing stress are all critical for lowering oxidative stress and halting the body’s natural detoxification processes. The circulatory system and lymphatic system rely on one another.

While blood circulates around the body via blood vessels, some fluid naturally leaks out and makes its way into tissue. This is a normal process that brings nutrients, water and proteins to cells. The fluid also gathers cells’ waste products, like bacteria or even dead or damaged cells like cancer cells.

Tissues located around the body can become inflamed and painful when circulation slows and inflammation builds. A healthy lymphatic system nourishes muscle, joint and other tissue because lymph vessels have tiny openings that let gases, water and nutrients pass through to surrounding cells (called interstitial fluid). The fluid then drains back into the lymph vessels, then goes to the lymph glands to be filtered and finally to a larger lymphatic vessel located at the base of the neck called the thoracic duct.

The thoracic duct dumps cleaned lymph fluid back into the blood, and on and on the cycle goes — which is why circulation is important for keeping the system running smoothly, otherwise tissue can become swollen with excess waste. To keep circulation pumping and the lymphatic system functioning optimally, it’s important to load up on all the essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants, you need.

2. Follow an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

The more nutrient-dense your diet, and the less chemicals entering your body, the better your lymphatic system can work. Foods that put stress on the digestive, circulatory and immune systems include common allergens (like dairy products, gluten, soy, shellfish or nightshades, for example), low-quality animal products, refined vegetable oils and processed foods that contain chemical toxins.

Anti-inflammatory foods, on the other hand, supply much-needed nutrients and antioxidants while also lowering free radical damage (also called oxidation stress) that ages the body and lowers immunity.

Some of the key high-antioxidant foods to focus on include:

green leafy vegetables
cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc.)
berries omega-3 foods like salmon and wild seafood
nuts and seeds (chia, flax, hemp, pumpkin, etc.)
unrefined oils like extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil
herbs and spices (ginger, turmeric, garlic, for example)

3. Exercise

The lymphatic system works best when you move your body, which helps keep fluids circulating and nutrients reaching your cells. There’s a reason why being stagnant causes you to feel more achy, stiff and prone to becoming sick.

Any type of regular exercise and movement (such as simply walking more) is good for keeping lymph fluid flowing, but some exercise seems to be particularly beneficial, including yoga (which twists the body and helps fluid drain), high-intensity interval training (also called HIIT workouts, which is great for improving circulation) or “rebounding.“

Rebounding is growing in popularity and involves jumping a small trampoline that you can keep inside your house. It only takes up a few feet, and just five to 10 minutes of jumping daily can really get your heart rate up and help keep your lymphatic system running smoothly.

(And why not follow up exercise with a relaxing detox bath to further help improve blood flow?)

4. Massage Therapy and Foam Rolling

Foam rolling and massage therapy are both usual for preventing swelling, pain and fluid buildup with tissue. Foam rolling, also called self-myofascial release, is a type of self-massage that many people do before or after exercising. Its purpose is to help tissue repair more easily and break up muscle and tissue adhesions that can cause tightness and injuries. Foam rolling also increases blood flow to your muscles and is used to help with quicker recovery and better performance.

“Lymphatic drainage massage” is a type of specialized massage therapy that helps cells release toxins and breaks up lymph congestion. Studies have found it’s beneficial for lowering pain intensity, pain pressure and pain threshold. (7) Massages can activate the lymphatic system and help flush excess fluid from within tissues.

Some massage therapists are specially trained in manual lymphatic drainage, but any type of deep tissue massage is also beneficial. You can even massage yourself to help reduce pain in swollen lymph nodes, muscles or joints.

5. Infrared Sauna Treatment

Never heard of infrared saunas? This simple treatment is one of the best ways to naturally detox the body and support an overall healthy immune system. Infrared sauna therapy works by increasing sweat production so more toxins are removed from tissue. It can also improve blood flood and help with tissue healing, which is critical for lymphatic health.

Studies show that regular infrared sauna treatments can improve the quality of life for people living with chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and congestive heart failure. (8) People who use sauna therapy love it because it’s relaxing, healing, cost-effective, can be done within your own home and really works. Infrared saunas use heat lamps that generate infrared light waves, which make their way into tissues and promote cell regeneration along with sweating.

The post Care of the Lymphatic System appeared first on LymphCoach: Prevent & Manage Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema.

Goat Release for Axillary Webbing/Cording

Lin Coleman — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 02:20:24 +0000

Suriah (I changed her name) came in for physical therapy lymphedema/axillary web syndrome treatment today.

After her breast cancer surgery, bilateral and bilateral implants, she developed radiological fibrosis that made her chest wall and armpits tight when she raised her arms to do put her dishes away or to build her barn. She also raises goats and she was casually taking her goats for a walk and she has a herd of goats, but they started to get out of hand on a steep hillside and she went to reach for the two goats leading the herd down the steep hill and she ended up having an extremely uncomfortable bumpy, dusty ride on her belly with her arms stretched way out straight in front of her.

Finally, they reached the bottom of the hill… all dirty and scraped up. But the goats were under control. All is well.

The next day she came in for her treatment, and she said that she had had goat release. The goats had released her myofascial tightness under her arms in her chest while and it was a lot looser, and she did have better range of motion. She also was not sure she wanted to have this type of release again for axillary webbing!

The post Goat Release
for Axillary Webbing/Cording appeared first on LymphCoach: Prevent & Manage Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema.

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Mangosteen Regularly

Lin Coleman — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 20:05:02 +0000

What Happens to Your Body
When You Eat Mangosteen Regularly

By Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN ~ Updated on August 07, 2025 ~ Medically reviewed by Allison Herries, RDN

Mangosteen is a round, dark purple or red fruit with a white pulp that is slightly acidic yet sweet flavor.

Mangosteen has garnered attention for its health benefits, namely its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

1. Can Improve Body Composition
2. May Improve Insulin Sensitivity
3. May Be a Schizophrenia Adjunct Treatment
4. May Reduce Physical Fatigue from Exercise
5. May Prevent Gum Disease
6. May Serve as an Antioxidant
7. May Improve Skin Health
8. May Offer Anticancer Effects

Other Potential Benefits
Precautions
Key Takeaways

Special Notation: Lin distributes a pure wild harvested Mangosteen Juice that improves and removes symptoms of RA through LIVE, along with a cleanse, balance build program through LIVE Pure Health and Wellness.

The post What Happens to Your Body
When You Eat Mangosteen Regularly appeared first on LymphCoach: Prevent & Manage Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema.

Medications That Cause Edema: What You Need to Know

Lin Coleman — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:17:34 +0000

Medications That Cause Edema:
What You Need to Know

The Norton School – April 11, 2025

Edema—defined as swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the body’s tissues—is a common side effect of many prescription medications. Although typically most visible in the lower extremities such as the legs, ankles, and feet, edema can affect any part of the body, including the face, hands, and abdomen. For individuals with lymphedema, this additional fluid retention can complicate management and potentially worsen symptoms.

Understanding which medications can cause edema, how they do so, and what to do about it is essential for both patients and healthcare providers. This article explores the most common classes of prescription drugs associated with edema, their mechanisms of action, and how to approach this side effect responsibly.

The post Medications That Cause Edema:
What You Need to Know appeared first on LymphCoach: Prevent & Manage Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema.