Lymphoedema is a debilitating condition which responds well to treatment if caught in time. It mainly occurs in females, often after lymph nodes have been removed following surgery for breast cancer. Although it can affect any part of the body, it is most commonly found in limbs. The limbs swell, causing both distress and discomfort.
Lymphoedema can last for life, but also can disappear after a period of time. It can be triggered by several things including insect bites, long flights, sunburn etc. It does not automatically manifest itself after surgery and can appear some years later. It appears to be a condition that has no real rhyme or reason.
The symptoms can be numbness, hardening of the skin, pain, swelling and loss of mobility. It can result in an arm, leg, or other parts of the body swelling to or three times their normal size. It is a chronic disorder that never goes away and if it remains untreated the damage caused is irriversible and progressive.
If you break the word down, 'Lymph' means natural body fluid and 'oedema' means swelling. In simple terms the condition means the bodies lymph system is failing to circulate as it should. As a result, the fluid accumulates in the tissues of the affected limb or other parts of the body. There are two categories:
Primary Lymphoedema:
This is often due to the lymphatic system being underdeveloped, some times from as early as birth. It can however develop at any stage in ones life. It is unrelated to any other known condition.
Secondary Lymphoedema:
More commonly, it occurs when the lymphatic system has been impaired due to, say, surgery. It can also be as a result of a disease or trauma.
A good diet and supervised exercise is important when suffering from this condition. Likewise, skin cleanliness is essential and keeping the skin well moisturised too. Just taking care of oneself results in a feel good factor and in turn affects your ability to cope with the condition and to proceed with every day living.