REPLACING YOUR COMPRESSION STOCKINGS?

Are you stockings hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there? Are your stockings in good shape? Are they still compressing well and providing the containment you need or is it time to replace your compression stockings? If you are wearing your compression stockings every day, the compression will probably last four to six weeks. You should be able to tell when your stockings need replacing as they will start to get easier and easier to don and doff. Is it time to replace those compression stockings?

Good quality compression stockings are not cheap and yet they do need to be replaced on a regular basis.  Putting off purchasing new stockings can be much more expensive in the long run and cause more complications with your lymphedema. I wanted to offer a few suggestions that might be helpful. Continue reading →

WHAT IS A LYMPH SYSTEM?

The lymphatic system is an essential part of our immune system which helps to protect the body from disease and infections. It is a network of vessels, organs and tissues working together to move lymph fluid back into the bloodstream. The lymph system has several  key functions starting with maintaining fluid levels in our body by collecting excess fluid and returning them back to the bloodstream.  It absorbs fats from the digestive tract. It also protects the body against foreign invaders by producing white blood cells and other immune cells. Furthermore, it transports and removes waste products and abnormal cells from the lymph.

The lymphatic system is essential for healthy immune function  and defense against possible harmful pathogens. It plays a major role in removing waste and toxins from the body. With close to 700 lymph nodes spread throughout the body, it’s no wonder the lymph system has such a powerful effect on our health. Continue reading →

WHEN YOUR LYMPHEDEMA BECOMES YOUR SUPERPOWER!

Any condition can be a burden, but it can be especially challenging when that disease is chronic.  Somewhere around 10 million people in the United States are dealing with the chronic disease of lymphedema. Many more may be afflicted, but have not been properly diagnosed because this disease is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

Lymphedema is a chronic disease caused by a problem with the lymphatic system. This often causes swelling of a limb and has many varying degrees of severity, from mild to disabling. I just read a fabulous book by a friend of mine who took her disabling condition and turned it into her new super power. She is such an inspiration to me and a hero to many. Would you like to hear more? Continue reading →

MANAGING LYMPHEDEMA

One of the major components to managing lymphedema is compression therapy. Short stretch bandages are often used during the treatment phase. However, these bandages can be difficult to apply and use. CircAid has come up with an alternative method that might just be the solution for some. Continue reading →

HOW COULD WE IMPROVE OUR LYMPH SYSTEM?

I just read a book about habits and how they impact our lives. Small shifts can make big changes and have a profound effect on our lives. What small changes could we make to have a profound effect on our lymphatic system? Improving our lymph system and therefore improving our overall health? Continue reading →

MEETING DR. FARROW

I once had the privilege of meeting Dr. Wade Farrow, certified Wound Specialist Physician, and hearing him speak about his FarrowWrap. It was invented to help one of his patients, a seamstress who had chronic leg swelling. She could not wear compression stockings, and was prescribed a non-elastic wrap. She liked it when she first donned it, but soon found that the  garment was too flimsy, didn’t conform completely to her limb because it had no stretch, and as the swelling reduced in her leg, it got loose and fell down.

The seamstress made one out of suede leather and was happier with this solution. When she followed up with Dr. Farrow, he realized that this one was perhaps better, because it was rigid, but that what was needed was a new type of garment made of short-stretch material.  Traditional short-stretch bandages performed well, but were hard for patients to learn to apply. They also loosened quickly, and had too many layers. It wasn’t the best long term solution for many patients with chronic swelling. Continue reading →

LYMPH-A-WHAT?

I had no idea what lymphedema was before I got involved with the fitting of compression garments.  I don’t think I had ever heard the word before. Unfortunately this is not uncommon in our society. When asked about my profession I often have to go into a long explanation of what lymphedema is and how it affects the body, because so few people are aware of it or understand how it affects people.

Countless times I have helped people with swollen limbs that have never heard of lymphedema or understood why their limb was so large.  Often misdiagnosed or their condition is dismissed as just extra weight. Awareness is key to deal with this chronic disease that seems to be becoming more prevalent in our society. Continue reading →