All About Lymphedema. About All Lymphedema.
Newly diagnosed or fighting against lymphedema for a while, you have come to the right place. This is the start of a deeper understanding of how you can live a healthier life—with all the tools, health tips, and food ideas you need. Whatever stage you’re at with your lymphedema, know that you have options and that you don’t have to be held back. You can still live your best life. All you have to do is take action and stick with it.
Medical Consultations
Different experts will be involved in the treatment of lymphedema. Lymphedema therapists, a specialty under occupational therapy or physical therapy are consulted to help direct nonsurgical interventions such as swelling volume reduction and swelling management programs. Surgeons are involved in more severe cases to decrease health risks caused by advanced lymphedema. They are usually specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Lymphedema Diagnosis
Treatment diagnosis of Lymphedema is usually done by Certified Lymphedema Therapists (occupational therapists certified in lymphedema). Medical diagnosis is usually done by plastic surgeons, or cardiologists. 90% of patients can be accurately diagnosed by evaluating their medical history, examining their risk factors, and conducting a physical examination.
Understanding Primary Lymphedema
Primary lymphedema is an inherited condition that causes a malformation of the lymphatic system. It is marked by hyperplasia, hypoplasia, or aplasia of the lymphatic vessels.
Primary Lymphedema is subdivided into 3 categories:
1) congenital lymphedema, present at birth or within two years of birth;
2) lymphedema praecox, present at puberty;
3) lymphedema tarda, present after 35 years of age.
Primary lymphedema is rare, affecting 1 in 100,000 individuals. It can also develop with other vascular abnormalities, including Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and Turner syndrome.
Understanding Secondary Lymphedema
Secondary lymphedema results from injury to the lymphatic system. Cancer treatments, including oncologic surgical procedures such as lymph node excision in breast cancer and radiation treatment, are the most common cause of lymphedema in the United States. Secondary lymphedema affects approximately 1 in 1000 Americans.
Nonsurgical causes of lymphedema include:
recurrent tumors or malignancy that have metastasized to the lymph nodes
obstructive lesions within the lymphatic system
infected and/or traumatized lymphatic vessels
scar tissue obliterating the lumen of the lymphatic vessels
Edema from deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
