Dr. Saliveros Apostolos

There are three types of vessels : arteries, veins, lymph vessels. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the peripheral tissues. Veins carry blood from the peripheral tissues to the heart. Lymph vessels are microscopic vessels found all over the body that carry fluids that are found outside the arteries and veins (interstitial fluid, edema, etc).

Lymph vessels are thin walled and have valves that help them carry the extra fluid back to the vein circulation after they purify it (when it passes through special filters that are called lymph nodes). If the lymph vessels do not work properly then fluid is accumulated and there is swelling of the affected organ (ie arm or leg) and the edema is called lymphedema.

The main causes of lymphedema are trauma or destruction after an inflammation.

There is no real cure  - mainstay of treatment is the elastic stockings.