Lymphatic diathesis is not a disease, but a constitutional disposition that favors the development of certain diseases. This tendency is also known as lymphatism or exudative-lymphatic diathesis.
What is lymphatic diathesis?
According to Gradphysics, lymphatic diathesis is a concept more common in naturopathy than conventional medicine. Lymphatism is not an independent clinical picture. It is a constitution. In the past, this predisposition with excessive reactions of the lymphatic system was also referred to as scrofula. The constitutional picture of lymphatism is characterized by the inability of the immune system to completely overcome infection. In the foreground are repeated infections and inflammations in the area of the lymphatic organs.
Causes
In modern conventional medicine, the clinical picture of lymphatic disease is no longer considered. In naturopathy it is assumed that the lymphatic diathesis is a hereditary burden. The constitution always designates the individual totality of all heredity and includes all innate characteristics. The so-called locus minoris resistentiae is also defined in these genes.
This is the place of least resistance, so to speak, the weak point of the organism. In the case of lymphatic diathesis, this weak point is in the immune system and in the area of the mucous membranes. In homeopathy, the lymphatic diathesis also plays a role under the term scrofula.
Scrofula is one of the great miasms. From the point of view of homeopathy, miasms can be hereditary or acquired. The miasms cause a misdirection in the energetic-dynamic system. This leads to disturbances that show up both in this energetic system and on a physical level.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Lymphatic diathesis develops in the first months of life and usually ends with the onset of puberty. Initially, the lymphatism in infants shows itself, for example, in the form of cradle cap, weeping skin inflammation or diaper eczema. Young children, on the other hand, suffer from dry eczema, urticaria or neurodermatitis.
Lymphatic diathesis is characterized by recurring inflammation of the mucous membranes and lymphatic organs. The children often catch cold. Tonsillitis also occurs again and again. In addition, the little patients complain of earache. The appendix is also a lymphatic organ. Children with a lymphatic diathesis show appendix irritation more frequently. Inflammation of the appendix may also occur. In such cases, the appendix must then be removed.
Sometimes the children are sick so often that their development is disrupted. They learn to speak or walk later than other children and are often absent from school or kindergarten. Children’s immune systems are generally very active. Swelling of the lymphatic organs often occurs even in healthy children. In lymphatic children, however, this activity exceeds the normal level. This is evident from constant swelling of the tonsils, irritation of the appendix or swelling of the spleen.
The lymph nodes in the neck area are enlarged and sensitive to pressure even without an ongoing infection. The nasal polyps are also enlarged, and the nose is often blocked. This hinders nasal breathing, leading to mouth breathing. Secretion builds up as a result of middle ear infections and tympanic effusions. This is why sinus infections are common.
For normal teeth and jaw development, it is important that children breathe mainly through their nose. Due to the constantly blocked nose, children with a lymphatic diathesis breathe more through the mouth. The result is misaligned teeth and jaws.
Diagnosis & course of disease
The diagnosis of lymphatic diathesis is largely based on the medical history. Here a tendency to diseases of the lymphatic system can be determined. Children with a lymphatic constitution are also more likely to be pale, blond-haired and blue-eyed. Thus, the appearance can also provide clues to the diathesis.
Iris diagnostics is a naturopathic procedure that can be used to diagnose diseases using the eyes. With this, too, the lymphatic diathesis can be recognized. People with a lymphatic diathesis usually have blue eyes with a light ring around the ruff. This bright ring is located in the lymph zone. However, iris diagnosis is not a scientifically recognized procedure.
Complications
As a rule, patients with this disease suffer from various complaints and diseases of the skin. This mainly leads to inflammation and the formation of itching. It is not uncommon for those affected to feel ashamed of the symptoms and suffer from reduced self-esteem or inferiority complexes.
Tonsillitis or inflammation in the ears also sometimes occurs. These are usually associated with severe ear pain, which can also spread to the head or neck. The disease also leads to appendicitis, in which case the appendix must eventually be removed.
Those affected may also suffer from a sinus infection, which significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life. In some cases, the affected person’s jaw and teeth may also be improperly developed, causing problems with eating and drinking. Treatment is usually through various interventions and the use of medication. Inflammation and misalignments can thus be combated and alleviated relatively well.
When should you go to the doctor?
Lymphatic diathesis can cause a number of illnesses and symptoms, which is why early diagnosis makes sense. Parents who notice signs of a predisposition in their child should pay attention to other warning signs and, if necessary, consult the pediatrician. The doctor must be involved at the latest when respiratory problems, skin changes, non-specific pain and other typical signs of a lymphatic disease occur. Recurring inflammation, swollen lymph nodes in the neck area and headaches or earaches must be clarified immediately.
The same applies to diseases of the appendix, gastrointestinal complaints and signs of organ disorders. If the child is treated early, further complications can be ruled out. For this reason, a medical diagnosis must be made as soon as the first symptoms appear. Treatment is provided by the general practitioner, an internist or a lymphologist. In addition, depending on the clinical picture , dermatologists, gastroenterologists, ENT doctors and ear specialists are consulted. Depending on the severity of the respective disease, the actual therapy takes place either in a specialist clinic or in the doctor’s practice. Under certain circumstances, mildly pronounced disorders can be treated naturopathically.
Treatment & Therapy
From a naturopathic point of view, the immune system should be supported in patients with a lymphatic diathesis. Various phytotherapeutic agents such as cap largonie or coneflower (Echinacea) have an immune-stimulating and immune-modulating effect. For infections of the upper respiratory tract, plants such as marshmallow root, mullein, coltsfoot or wild mallow can be used.
Typical individual remedies of classical homeopathy are Calcium carbonicum, Tuberculinum, Psorinum, Scrophularia nodosa or Kali sulfuricum. A significant part of the human immune system resides in the gut. A disturbed intestinal flora can weaken the immune system. With the help of probiotics, the intestinal flora of the patients should be built up and, if necessary, modified. This intestinal cleansing is often supplemented with a so-called drainage therapy.
In naturopathy, it is assumed that metabolic end products are deposited in various tissues of the body over the course of life and impede the metabolic processes taking place there. Slags are often mentioned. The aim of drainage therapy is to rid the body of these waste products. For this purpose, excretory organs such as the kidneys, liver and skin are supported with complex homeopathic remedies or herbal medicines.
Nettle and goldenrod, for example, support the kidneys, milk thistle and dandelion have a positive effect on liver function. From a scientific point of view, however, there is no indication for a discharge. Equally controversial is the avoidance of cow’s milk, which is recommended by many therapists for lymphatic diathesis.
Outlook & Forecast
A prognosis of the lymphatic diathesis is not possible because it is not an independent disease. Rather, it is a human predisposition that favors the development of certain other diseases. It can therefore be stated in principle that people who carry the predisposition to lymphatic diathesis in their genetics will not experience any change in their favoring of the development of diseases.
Nevertheless, it is not possible to predict the extent to which certain diseases will actually break out in the course of life. There are patients who have a lymphatic diathesis but do not show any significant impairments over the course of their lives. Other people, on the other hand, experience severe health problems and a reduction in their quality of life.
The development of various inflammatory diseases can lead to a reduction in well-being. However, it is not possible to predict how often these inflammations will occur and what intensity they will show. With a good and stable lifestyle, the symptoms appear in a milder form. If the affected person avoids the consumption of harmful substances and orients himself towards a health-conscious lifestyle, the symptoms are often alleviated. Nevertheless, despite all efforts, an intensive occurrence of the sequelae can be documented in a large number of patients. Developmental delays occur in the growth process and the number of diseases is increased on average due to the genetic disposition.
Prevention
Lymphatic diathesis is congenital, so there are no means of preventing it. With a known lymphatic diathesis, however, the body can be specifically supported. It is possible that secondary diseases can be avoided in this way.
Aftercare
In the case of a skin disease such as lymphatic diathesis, the follow-up measures depend heavily on the severity of the disease, so that no general prediction can usually be made. First and foremost, those affected should be examined by a doctor so that there are no further complications or symptoms. The earlier this disease is recognized and treated, the better the further course.
Since some skin diseases are contagious, contact with other people should be avoided. A high standard of hygiene can also have a positive effect on the course of the disease and reduce the symptoms. In most cases, these diseases are treated by applying creams or ointments and taking medication.
Those affected should pay attention to regular use and the right dosage in order to permanently relieve the symptoms. Regular check-ups by a doctor are very important. In most cases, a lymphatic diathesis does not have a negative effect on the life expectancy of those affected. Contact with other patients can also be useful in order to exchange information about healing methods.
You can do that yourself
A lymphatic diathesis should always be clarified by a doctor. In addition to medical treatment, those affected can alleviate the symptoms with the help of some naturopathic remedies. For example, various phytotherapeutic agents such as coneflowers or cap largonie have proven themselves. Plants such as marshmallow root or coltsfoot also have a stimulating effect on the immune system. Mullein and arnica help with infections of the upper respiratory tract.
In addition, homeopathy offers a number of individual remedies, including calcium carbonicum and potassium sulfuricum. Probiotics can be used to support this, as they protect the intestinal flora and help with symptoms. Other effective plants include stinging nettle, goldenrod and milk thistle. The use of these funds should be discussed beforehand with the responsible doctor.
In addition, it is important to determine the cause of the lymphatic diathesis. Depending on the trigger, various measures are then useful. In general, a change in lifestyle is advisable. A strengthened immune system is less susceptible to diseases and ensures better well-being. In addition, a healthy and balanced diet must be taken into account, which supports the medical therapy measures.
