Lymphedema & Lyme Nutrition Guidelines

Lymphedema is a common side effect that may affect a cancer survivor months or even years after treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. As part of the circulatory system, the lymph organs play many roles in the body including fluid balance and immunity.



Symptoms ?f l?m?h?d?m? ?n?lud? ?w?ll?ng in ?n? or much ?xtr?m?t???. Th? swelling m?? r?ng? from m?ld t? severe and d??f?gur?ng. Primary l?m?h?d?m? ?? ?r???nt ?t birth; secondary l?m?h?d?m? d?v?l??? as a r??ult ?f damage t? or dysfunction ?f the l?m?h?t?? ???t?m.
Worldwide, l?m?h?d?m? is most ??mm?nl? caused b? f?l?r????? (? ??r???t? infection), but in th? U. S., l?m?h?d?m? m??t ??mm?nl? occurs ?n w?m?n who h?v? h?d br???t ??n??r ?urg?r?, ??rt??ul?rl? wh?n f?ll?w?d by radiation tr??tm?nt. While there is n? ?ur? f?r lymphedema, compression tr??tm?nt? and physical th?r??? may help reduce the swelling ?nd discomfort.