Autumn

 

Goodness me how the years fly by, Autumn is a time when the days are getting shorter, and the nights are drawing in fast. While we close our curtains earlier, many of us are afraid to put the heating on.  As fuel bills rise around the world, keeping warm is essential for our health and wellbeing.

 

Unfortunately, the autumnal days reduce sunlight, and this may have an impact on the way we feel. From time to time, we will all experience low mood days.  The lack of sunlight can affect our body clock, and we know that low mood days, are not good for our lymphoedema.

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You May Experience

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Lack of energy, concentration problems, sleep problems, feeling low, guilty, hopeless, lonely, sad or tearful, you may feel a loss of appetite, or you may feel you are snacking more. Your feelings are personal to you but please reach out to our support group or talk to someone you trust. At the end of this page are a list of organisations you can turn to if you are experiencing low mood.

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 Wear your compression

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Wearing compression garments during the autumn and winter is vital for treating lymphoedema, and although we layer up, we must also care for our lymphatic system. During the summer months we contend with the heat and the risk of more insect bites but what happens during the cooler months.

Cold temperatures can reduce blood flow and exacerbate lymphoedema symptoms. When your body becomes cold, it prioritises keeping your core warm, which may lead to reduced blood circulation in your extremities. As a result, lymphatic drainage in the affected areas could be compromised.

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Compression garments aim to reduce lymphoedema swelling and prevent further swelling from developing by encouraging lymph fluid to drain away from the affected area. The garments provide a firm resistance which forces the lymph vessels to be squeezed by the muscles during movement and activity.

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