Lymphoedema

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The tissues of the body are surrounded by a colourless fluid containing mostly water and protein. This fluid is known as lymph. The lymphatic system drains away excess fluid from the tissues. Lymph vessles drain the fluid through a number of lymph nodes before emptying the fluid back into the bloodstream.

Lymph nodes of varying size are found throughout your body, and different people have different amounts. There are more lymph nodes in certain areas of your body, for example in your armpit there are around 30-50 small nodes.

Lymphoedema is a chronic swelling that occurs when lymph fluid does not fully drain away from the tissues. Excess fluid builds up and causes swelling (oedema), because it is unable to drain away as normal.

Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
References