What is lymphoedema?
Lymphoedema means that you have a swelling that does not go away. You may have had it for as long as you can remember or it may have appeared later on. Lymphoedema can affect any part of the body but most teenagers have problems with swollen legs
Swelling develops because the lymph system is not working properly. It is a series of communicating channels (lymph vessels) and glands (lymph nodes) through which a fluid called lymph flows. The lymph is made up of fluid that has passed through the blood stream into the tissues as well as particles and waste products produced by the body. The lymph system plays a vital part in moving this fluid back to the bloodstream at a point near the heart – so a lot of the time it is moving fluid uphill!
Another important way that the lymph system works is as part of the body’s defences and the lymph nodes are like filters for anything that may be harmful by the body. In this way, the lymph system will keep you well and free from infection.
When the lymph system is not working properly in part of the body , it will cause a swelling and increase your risk of developing skin problems including an infection called cellulitis.
At the moment there is no cure for lymphoedema but that does not mean that it can’t be improved. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to help yourself, find out more on our 'help and support' page.