TOP TIPS LYMPHOEDEMA

Top Tips Lymphoedema

Sometimes, living with Lymphoedema can feel like an uphill struggle and you won’t always be able to stick 100% to the plan given by your care provider. Approach your condition as a sum of all parts. Every little positive thing you do, no matter how small, contributes to your overall well-being. Here are a few top tips to help you enjoy life while managing your symptoms:

1. Maintain a healthy weight

The more fat your body has, the more the lymphatic system will struggle. Keep a daily food diary to ensure you’re eating a good mix of nutrient rich foods. It is important to keep your weight under control.  BMI calculator here? 

2. Exercise regularly

Exercise helps your circulation, gets your muscle and joints moving, which gets lymph fluid moving around your body. Walking, swimming and stretching exercises, like yoga, can be good choices. Always consult your care provider before starting anything new.

3.Keep up with compression

Compression therapy only works if the right product is used as recommended, which can be easier said than done. Get support from your care provider if you’re finding the treatment plan difficult and they will work with you to make sure it fits in with your everyday life. The more you keep up with compression, the easier it is to manage your condition.

4.Seek advice about diuretics

Diuretics, also known as water pills, are prescribed for many medical conditions but they can actually sometimes make your symptoms worse.  Diuretics are not a proper treatment for Lymphoedema. If you are on water pills for your swelling, talk to your care provider and get advice about whether to continue taking them.   

5. Look after your skin

Good skincare is the cornerstone of infection control. Cleanse the swollen area daily with an un-fragranced soap substitute and be sure to dry off thoroughly to keep skin healthy. Any skin folds should be cleaned and dried thoroughly.  A moisturising lotion will help to lock in moisture and keep skin hydrated.

6. Protect against infection

If there’s a risk of scratches, cuts or bites to any of the affected limbs, always wear protective clothing.  Something as simple as wearing gardening gloves or insect repellent can protect you from potential infections.

7. Try Lymph massage

Have your care provider teach you Manual Lymphatic Massage, specific to your swelling, so you can assist your lymphatic fluid moving.

8. Learn about your condition

There are many good sources of information to help you learn about your condition. As well as offline and online patient support groups, organizations such as the National Lymphoedema Network provide expert education and guidance for patients. You may even find lymphedema support groups at your local hospitals.

9. Elevate when sitting

Try not to sit or stand in one position for too long and, when you are sitting, elevate your affected limbs. This will help relieve the heavy, aching sensation you feel at the end of a long day. If you are sitting for long periods pump your feet up and down.

10. Be kind to yourself

Remember, you’ll have good days and bad. Don’t be too hard on yourself and make time to enjoy the things that make you feel happy. Taking care of your mind is as important as taking care of your body. 

EXERCISE FOR LYMPHOEDEMA

Exercise For Lymphoedema

Gentle activity, such as stretching, strength or aerobic exercise can be beneficial for people living with Lymphoedema as it helps to move fluid through the lymphatic system. But, it’s important to start slowly and build up to being more active. Your care provider will be able to advise on how much exercise is suitable for you. Walking is free, suitable for all abilities and easy to fit into your day. Here are a few other ideas that encourage lymph flow…

1. Deep breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing, or deep breathing, is beneficial for all types of Lymphedema because it pumps the largest lymphatic vessels at the thoracic duct. Also known as Van Hoorne’s canal, the thoracic duct stretches from the stomach to the neck and is responsible for draining a big portion of the body’s lymph into the bloodstream. The process of moving the diaphragm up and down, as you inhale and exhale, pushes lymph fluid up and back into the circulatory system. Deep breathing is a natural part of exercises like yoga, tai chi and meditation, which can also offer the time you need to relax and regenerate. Link to diaphragmatic breathing

2. Posture and positioning

Unlike the circulatory system, which relies on the heart to pump blood around the body, the lymphatic system needs movement from joints and muscles to keep fluid flowing. Exercises that incorporate bending, stretching and posture movements, such as yoga and pilates, are good for encouraging lymph flow. It’s also important to ensure careful positioning of arms and legs when resting or sitting. For instance, avoid sitting with your legs down, as this forces the fluid to drain to your feet.

3. Arm and leg exercises

There are plenty of simple exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Always wear your compression garment, if you have one, and try to do some form of activity every day. For swollen arms:  sit on a chair and pretend to do breaststroke by crossing your arms and pushing them out in a circular motion. For swollen legs: lift your foot off the floor, then straighten and bend your leg. Repeat these exercises 5 to 10 times.

No exercise should be undertaken without first consulting a Lymphoedema specialist.

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5 Amazing Facts About ReadyWrap®

How much do you know about ReadyWrap? These adjustable compression garments are ideal for patients with venous and lymphatic disease, making it easy to achieve clinically effective compression at home. They’re effective, affordable and durable. But, what are some of the other reasons ReadyWrap is loved by patients worldwide?

1. You don’t need a PHD to apply them

ReadyWrap comes with color-coded VELCRO® brand fasteners that make them easy to apply and adjust. These are designed to minimize user error and to maintain a good level of pressure. So, you can put them on yourself, without any special aids or professional help. Youtube video of Ready Wrap application.

2. They have similar properties to a wetsuit

When you wear ReadyWrap, you’ll feel as snug as if you’re wearing a wetsuit, and achieve a similar level of pressure, but without the embarrassing struggle to get them on! Most patients appreciate how much better their limbs look and feel while wearing them.

3. You can create your own bespoke design

ReadyWrap comes in many shapes and sizes for different body parts. Best of all, the individual parts combine so you can create your own perfect fit, from head to toe.

For instance, you might choose to wear a torso garment with an arm wrap. Include picture

4. They are safe for use with leg ulcers

The short-stretch bandage properties of ReadyWrap’s design is safe, even for patients with leg ulcers. The 50% overlapping straps accommodate changing limb size and control swelling with ease of changing wound care bandages.

5. Black is the new beige

Of course, ReadyWrap comes in standard-issue beige, and just as popular is our ReadyWrap black. This can help you feel less like you’re wearing a medical device and give you more confidence to wear your compression garment.

Top 3 reasons to love Rosidal®K

Top 3 reasons to love Rosidal®K

If you’re living with venous ulceration, with or without swelling, it can really take its toll on your mobility, confidence and self-esteem. Rosidal K is an easy-to-apply compression bandage that can be used, with padding, to help reduce chronic symptoms in patients with healing leg ulcers. Here’s why people all over the world fell in love with this product over 50 years ago…

1. Sticks to itself, not to you

As well as being super easy to apply, Rosidal has a few other tricks up its sleeve. Due to unique two-stretch properties, the bandage won’t stick to your skin or hair, keeping you comfortable at all times. This also means it can be used to retain dressings securely, even around joints, due to the brilliant bonding of the layers.

2. Sustainable and strong

These days, we’re all more conscious of our impact on the environment. Rosidal K makes a significant contribution to sustainability as it can repeatedly be washed and reused, without losing any of its original strength. Made from 100% cotton, its excellent breathability also makes it kind to skin and ideal for long-term use.

3. Helps you work, rest and play

Rosidal K provides high working pressure and low resting pressure making it comfortable and flexible, whether running around or putting your feet up. This means you can wear the bandage at night in bed or when you’re exercising, giving you the perfect level of compression, round the clock.