Lymphedema Treatment Research Paper

Lymphedema is a condition that occurs when the lymph vessels are blocked and the lymph vessels are unable to carry lymph fluid from the body tissues. The impairment of the lymphatic system according to Mayo Clinic research is the major cause of Lymphedema. The accumulation of lymph fluid in body tissues leads to swelling which can range from just mild or severe and it is most common amongst people receiving breast cancer treatment. Lymphedema is divided into primary and secondary Lymphedema, in primary Lymphedema it causes anatomical dysfunction of the lymph vessels and it is a very rare condition mostly occurring at birth. On the other hand, the secondary Lymphedema is caused by identifiable damage to the normally functioning lymph vessels which leads to obstruction of the lymph fluid flow. Other causes of Lymphedema apart from breast cancer treatment is caused by filariasis which is a parasite infection (Kayiran et al., 2017).

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Lymphedema is diagnosed using a process called lymphoscintigraphy which uses radiotracers which are a small number of radioactive materials to evaluate the lymphatic system. The radiotracers can be injected into the bloodstream, inhaled or swallowed or injected into the skin which can help identify Lymphedema in its early stages. 80 to 90% of women who have received breast cancer treatment suffer from Lymphedema within 3 years after treatment and congenital Lymphedema can be evident even at birth and mostly affects females. Lymphedema praecox is a primary form of Lymphedema which is more common to women than men and occurs after birth before an individual turns 35 years of age in which it develops during puberty. This condition is of interest because of the increasing number of women who develop Lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. This paper will discuss the general symptoms, types of treatment and the prognosis of Lymphedema (Cancer.org).

Types of Treatment

Lymphedema does not have any specific cure and most medical attention provided to the patients is for the purpose of managing the swelling which can impair individual physical activities due to the weight gained through the accumulation of the fluid. Patients suffering from Lymphedema are given compression treatments that help eliminate the swelling gradually which reduces Lymphedema complications such as scarring reoccurring. Bandages are used to reduce the swelling by wrapping the bandage around the affected leg or arm and left loose at the trunk which helps the lymph fluid to circulate easily. People with Lymphedema can wear elastic sleeves worn properly and regularly can help to prevent scarring and also to gradually reduce the swelling (Kayiran et al., 2017). New technology has led to the creation of the pneumatic compression device that is used both in clinics and at home and worn as stockings or sleeves which are connected to a pump that applies sequential compression of the affected area which helps reduce swelling.

The pneumatic compression device is used mainly to prevent long-term scarring but patients with congestive heart failure and deep venous thrombosis cannot use the pneumatic device. Finally, manual therapy and physical exercise can be used to reduce swelling caused by Lymphedema because of the contraction that helps remove excess fluids in the arms and legs affected by Lymphedema (National Lymphedema Network). All the Lymphedema management treatments can be prescribed by doctors or a physical therapist with the primary goal of increasing lymph flow in the affected regions. In special cases, the surgical operation can be used to extract excess fluid although the surgical operation also cannot cure Lymphedema. It is important for all the skin and tissue problems that occur due to Lymphedema to be treated using appropriate antibiotics (Mayo Clinic. Org). The parasite caused Lymphedema can be treated using diethylcarbamazine. It is normal to spot patients with Lymphedema attending therapy sessions because it helps the patient to regain strength from the overweight leg or arm. It is important to avoid hot tubs, lifting heavy weight and steam baths when having Lymphedema because it can cause injuries to the tissues. In terms of prognosis, Lymphedema cannot be cured but patients with Lymphedema can control the swelling and associated swelling using compression measures (Advanced Vein Institute of ARIZONA. Com).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lymphedema is an incurable disease that affects people of all genders and sexes appearing mostly before the age of 35 and after puberty. Lymphedema causes the swelling of the leg or the arms due to the inability of the lymphatic system to carry lymph fluid from the body tissues due to the obstruction of the lymph vessels. Lymphedema in the United States of America mainly affects women who have been receiving breast cancer treatment and in other cases, it is caused by a parasite filariasis. Lymphedema is diagnosed by a qualified doctor through lymphoscintigraphy a process that uses radioactive materials to assess the lymphatic system for any obstruction. Lymphedema does not have any prognosis because it cannot be cured and the drugs administered are used to treat the scarring and reduce the swelling of the arm or the leg. Physical therapy and also different approaches to compression are used to push the fluid from the affected areas.

References

Kayiran, O., De La Cruz, C., Tane, K., & Soran, A. (2017). Lymphedema: From diagnosis totreatment. Turkish journal of surgery, 33(2), 51.

Cancer.org. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/treatment-treatments-and-side%20effects/physical%20side%20effects-lymphedema.html

Mayo Clinic. Org. Lymphedema. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/symptoms-causes/syc-20374682

National Lymphedema Network. What Causes Lymphedema? Retrieved from: https://www.lymphnet.org/overview/what-is-lymphedema/what-causes-lymphedema

Advanced Vein Institute of ARIZONA. Com. Lymphedema Facts and Treatment. Retrievedfrom: https://www.advancedveinaz.com/Lymphedema-treatment?