Dr. Slava Shut

I have friends, family, patients, and partners from all over the world. I pride myself on being a part of a loving international community. We agree on some things, but sometimes we disagree.

Something we can all agree on, no matter where you’re from, is that LA traffic is the worst. You can be stuck on the road for hours crawling down the highway. And traffic doesn’t care if your dinner gets cold, or your groceries spoil.

Welcome to Topic Thursday, where we discuss something specifically related to business, health, family, or life in general. Today we’re going to talk about the importance of the lymphatic system to your overall health.

Dr. Slava, you might wonder, what does traffic have to do with the lymphatic system?

Let’s find out; but first, let’s explore what the lymphatic system is, what it does, and some common lymphatic system issues.

What is the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system is the main mechanism through which the body directs the flow of most of the body’s internal fluids.

About 60% of your body is made of water, but the majority of it isn’t in your blood. You might think that, since blood is liquid, and so is water, that the blood is where most of the water is in your body. But it’s not. The lymphatic system carries and manages the majority of the water in your body.

This is not the same thing as the body’s blood circulatory system, although everything in the body works together. The lymphatic system works using an intricate network of passageways and nodes all throughout your body. When you’re healthy, and your lymphatic system is strong and working well, the fluids in your body get distributed evenly and comfortably. Your limbs and organs have enough fluid, but not too much.

If you get certain illnesses, suffer certain injuries, or have surgery, your lymphatic system will be damaged to some degree. This damage can cause it to have problems distributing the fluids throughout the body evenly and safely. Although there are all sorts of causes of swelling in the body from trauma to hypertension, lymphedema is characterized by swelling specifically caused by dysfunction of the lymphatic system.

How lymphedema is like a traffic jam

Imagine that the organs, limbs, and appendages on your body are points of interest on a map of your biology. The traffic on these roads is the lymphatic fluid. All throughout your body, the lymphatic system transports lymphatic fluid to wherever it’s needed. Since you already know how much of the body is made up of water and fluids, you should have an idea of how important it is to all the parts.

Just like on the highways that carry products from coast to coast, the lymphatic system carries fluid and nutrients through the body to where they’re needed. When traffic is managed well, lymph flows well. 

But if the lymphatic system is unable to adequately regulate itself, the resulting condition can start to cause damage. Lymphatic blockages can contribute to other serious health conditions if not treated.

What are the symptoms of lymphedema?

Lymphedema is characterized by tissue swelling. It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck, and genitals.The swelling results from an accumulation of protein-rich fluid due to some dysfunction with the lymphatic system. 

Lymphedema can be caused by various factors, including cancer treatments, blockages, or damage to the lymphatic system from surgery, trauma, or radiation therapy. The condition is a long-term or chronic one and may lead to serious problems if not carefully managed.

How do I manage my lymphedema?

When it comes to managing lymphadema, surgical and nonsurgical options are available. For most people who suffer mild to intermediate symptoms of lymphedema, nonsurgical options are the best places to start.

The best place to start is to with your physical fitness. Often, a more active lifestyle can help alleviate some of the symptoms of lymphedema, if the condition hasn’t progressed to the point that it impedes movement.

The most effective treatment for lymphedema is manual lymphatic drainage. #MLD is a type of manual therapy available at Back2Health Physical Therapy that can help you manage the symptoms and discomfort of lymphedema.

Are you suffering from lymphedema? Schedule an appointment with my team today, and let’s get you back to your healthiest self. The time is now!