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Jeanine Mewburn

The Importance of water for lymphoedema

Do you know, that like our planet Earth, our body has a water content of approximately 70% depending on the person, their hydration levels, gender or age? Our trillions of cells contain approximately 60% of fluid. Our organs such as brain, heart, lungs, and muscles also contain water. It is essential to our body and body functions. Some of which include temperature regulation, diffusion of nutrients and the removal of wastes and toxins to make your skin glow.


Where is all this fluid in our body held? It is located everywhere, even directly under our skin. Depending on its molecule content and its location throughout the body, water takes on various names. For example, the fluid content of our blood is called blood plasma, while located outside the cells and in the tissue it is called interstitial or extra cellular fluid, and intra cellular inside the cells. It is only termed lymphatic fluid after it enters the lymphatic system.


The lymphatic system is responsible for the fluid balance in the body, and it carries the metabolic wastes caused by the energy combustion. It contains lymph nodes which are located along the lymphatic system’s way back towards the heart. Lymph nodes are packed with immune cells that live and circulate through the lymphatic vessels. They destroy bacteria, dead cells debris and big proteins attracting fluid; the immune system is intrinsic to the lymphatic system. Together their return the excess fluid in our body, filtered and purified, to the heart and the blood circulatory system.


The most common cause for lymphatic congestion, fatigue, poor health, concentration and the worsening of lymphoedema is dehydration. This is due to the body needing to conserve fluid when not enough is accessible to perform all the processes discussed earlier.  


It’s important to drink the daily recommended amount of water to maintain your health. The daily recommendation is approximately 2.7 litres for women and 3 litres for men. Your kidneys can process approximately 1 litre per hour, unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

I can help you manage lymphoedema with lymphatic drainage massage to remove excess fluid, increase fluid circulation and improve your immune system. I can also assist with the maintenance of results by measuring and fitting you with a standard or custom-made compression garment. You need drink plenty of water as part of your maintenance program.


Water is required for life as we know it. It is an essential component of all biological processes. There is no life without water.




Reference

  • Dennison, P. E., Dennison, G. E., & Tepliz, J. V. (1994). Brain Gym for Business. Ventura, California: Edu_Kinesthetics, Inc.

  • Kubala, J., & Sissons, C. (2020, May 27). What is the average percentage of water in the human body? Retrieved 5 2023, 2023, from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-percentage-of-the-human-body-is-water

  • Popova, E. (2023, September 18). A Source of Inspiration and Creativity, Issue 39. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from Create Magazine: https://www.createmagazine.com/blog/create-magazine-issue-39-water-a-source-of-inspiration-and-creativity#:~:text=Water%E2%80%94a%20source%20of%20inspiration%2C%20a%20force%20to%20fuel%20our,person's%20experience%20on%20this%20planet.

  • VarsityTutors, V. (2007 to 2023). High School Biology : Understanding Negative Feedback. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from Varsity Tutors: https://www.varsitytutors.com/high_school_biology-help/understanding-negative-feedback#:~:text=negative%20feedback-,Explanation%3A,turns%20off%20antidiuretic%20hormone%20secretion.


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