Salt and Lymphedema

Salt and Lymphedema

Should people with lymphedema stop using salt?

Is it safe for people with lymphedema to use salt?

Everywhere in todays media, we are warned against the evils of too much salt in our diets. In all the lymphedemaonline support groups, you'll find the same dire warnings that we should avoid it as a poison. On one website we are even warned that lymphedema people report increased swelling when they eat a lot of salt (some things really are self evident).

But, what is the truth? Where in the midst of all this negative portrayals of salt is the truth?

As I reformed salt junkie, I can remember the time when I even would salt ham and pizza. My motto was a little food with my salt. It really never seemed to bother me until a couple years ago. My blood pressure has always been super good, not even a hint of any cardiovascular problems associated with salt and even my blood tests showed a normal amount of salt in my blood, despite the horrendous amount I ate. Also,however, blood Sodium does not indicate what we are ingesting or the sodium we are concerned about unless we get too little or far too much. The kidneys keep the blood sodium constant within narrow limits, and they do it by dumping all surplus sodium into the urine. That is why a blood test tells you nothing about your sodium intake except that you are getting enough. [4]

A couple years though, I did start noticing a weight gain after I consumed much of it. Surprisingly, I did a complete reversal and now rarely add salt to my food. After awhile, I even found some food too salty to eat - like that pizza.

From my understanding though, the reality lies somewhere between over indulgence of salt and abstaining from it.

Surprisingly, it does play a vital role in our health and recently studies have shown that too little salt can bring as many problems as too much.

Pat

Additional Information:

What is Salt

Daily Salt Requirements

Benefits of Salt

Complications of too much Salt

and more

Lymphedema and Salt

A Diet for Lymphedema

There is no “special” diet that lymphedema patients must follow, just because they have lymphedema. If you have no other medical conditions involved, your diet will be fairly normal (healthy diet of course).

The rules on foods to avoid or consume in moderation are much like the guidelines given for non-lymphedema people.

1. Restrict high fat foods or high cholesterol foods.

2. Limit sodium intake as it causes fluid retention.

3. Limit or avoid caffeine as it is a natural diuretic

4. Limit or avoid alcohol

Having said that however, I have always been a proponent of vitamins, supplements, good nutrition an, exercise and weight control. It just makes sense whether or not you have lymphedema.

It becomes even more important if you do.

It is well established that stress depletes your body of vitamins and nutrients as it tries to cope with whatever threat you are under, physically and mentally. Once these reserves are depleted, it becomes even more difficult for your “system” to take care of and rejuvenate itself.

These supplements will help give it that extra boost.

I am also a proponent of the concept that it is up to the patient to take the responsibility for taking care of themselves. This is especially true in lymphedema.

You can not expect doctors too, most of them have no clue anyway about this condition. Therapists are our best friends and do more for lymphedema patients that anyone else in the medical world, but you shouldn't expect this from them either.

At some point, you must care enough about yourself and your life to step forward. You must understand no one else can take care of you, but you.

Special Dietary Considerations

It is essential to understand as well, that if you other medical conditions that require a special diet, you must follow that dietary regime.

For example If you have a diabetes and lymphedema, then you must ad here to the special dietary rules for diabetes. The same is true should you have coronary problems and lymphedema.

The Importance of Weight in the Management of Lymphedema

The importance of weight control in the management of lymphedema cannot be stressed enough. Obesity or morbid obesity can actually cause a secondary form of lymphedema. While it may start as a “temporary” lymphedema the lymphatics can be so damaged that if the weight were lost, the lymphedema would remain. The weight actually crushes and overloads the lymphatics. When this occurs you will also begin experiencing further damaged caused by lymphedema complications, such as infections, weeping wounds and fibrosis.

Also, some of the complications involved in obesity lead to edema.

These edema causing complications are congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, stroke and liver disease.

Other reasons for weight control when you have lymphedema is simple mobility and the ability to continue to function and do activities you really enjoy. It is difficult enough with just lymphedema and is profoundly affected by morbid obesity.

For information on obesity and lymphedema. Our following articles that will help in understanding what a healhy diet is and the basic foods groups that contribute to that diet and help in managing lymhpedema.