Chiropractor Resources, Chiropractic Techniques, Chiropractic Advice

The Ultimate Chiropractic Resources

  • Symptoms
  • Treatment
    • Chiropractic
    • Medicine
    • General Massage
    • Acupuncture
    • Aroma Therapy
    • Reflexology Massage
  • Techniques
    • General Techniques
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • General Information
    • Latest News
      • Levoscoliosis and Structural Scoliosis
      • Paresthesia Definition
      • Thecal Sac Impingement
      • Disc Desiccation
      • Listhesis Treatment
      • Autoimmune Inflammatory Vasculitis
      • Anterior Cord Syndrome
      • Antalgic Gait
      • Lumbosacral Spondylosis
      • Myelomalacia
      • Radiculopathy vs. Radiculitis
      • How You Can Treat Tension Myositis Syndrome
      • Things You Need to Know About Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy
      • Skelaxin
      • Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?
      • All About the Symptoms of Hydromyelia
      • Military Neck
      • Pelvic Obliquity
      • Pelvic Obliquity Symptoms
      • Physiatrist
      • Chiropractic Hip Adjustment
      • Things You Should Do to Treat Cervical Lordosis
      • About Brittle Bone Disorder
      • What to Expect in Couples Massage
      • Anterolisthesis, Retrolisthesis, and Chiropractic Care
      • Straight Spine
      • Medication: Requip
      • Things You Should Do to Treat Lumbar Lordosis
      • Straight Back Syndrome
  • For Chiropractors
    • Massage Training
    • For Massage Therapists
You are here: Home / Symptoms / Coping with Lymphedema

Coping with Lymphedema

July 31, 2019 By eChiropractor Team

What is Lymphedema?

Coping with LymphedemaLymphedema swelling is a long-term problem that requires daily support.  This condition concerns the situation where unnatural swelling of the arms and legs occurs due to a lymphatic system blockage.  When the lymph fluid is unable to drain well, the fluid able to continue to build up, which causes the swelling in the limbs. The most common cause of (secondary) lymphedema is cancer treatment, where damage to, or removal of, lymph nodes may occur. 

There is no true cure for lymphedema. Nonetheless, there are daily care regimens that can help patients cope with the condition.1  The tissues which have been affected by the swelling are put at a greater risk of getting an infection.  Symptoms of this lymphatic condition, other than the swollen limb(s), include discoloration of the skin, deformity, fluid accumulation in places other than the primary areas of the legs and arms, such as the head and neck, and fatigue.  Patients who are experiencing any unusual symptoms and those who have a history of possible causes for the condition should seek advice and diagnosis from a medical professional.2

What Are Some of the Possible Causes?

Coping with Lymphedema using compression garmentsThere are a wide variety of reasons which could affect the lymphatic system and be the reason behind the development of lymphedema.  Radiation therapy or lymph node dissection or surgery are all possible situations which could trigger damage to the lymphatic system.  Breast cancer patients, in particular, are at an increased risk of developing the condition. Radiation treatments which were meant to help the patient overcome throat or tongue cancer can cause lymphedema in the head and neck.  For ovarian, prostate, testicular, uterine, melanoma, and colon cancer patients, lymphedema can affect the groin and lower limbs. 

Diseases or accidents that interfere with the lymphatic system can sometimes cause the condition.  In some tropical regions, filariasis, which is a type of parasitic infection, can be the cause of lymphedema.  Cellulitis can also harm the lymphatic system.  For some patients, their primary lymphedema may have started as far back as from birth. While others may develop it later, over the course of puberty.  Some vascular abnormalities may also be the cause of this lymphatic condition.  Patients with lymphedema should also take care that, during air travel, they wear special compression garments to reduce swelling which is caused by the decreased pressure in the cabin during flight. 

4 States of Lymphedema

There are 4 states of this disease in the lymphatic system: latent, where the lymphatic vessels are damaged, spontaneously reversible, in which the tissue is still able to bounce back, spontaneously irreversible, wherein the tissue is spongy and pitting, and lymphostatic elephantiasis, in which the tissue is hard, unresponsive, and the swelling is large and irreversible.  This lymphatic condition is also rated by grades for its severity. Mild, moderate, severe, massive, or gigantic are the levels of severity which have been categorized.3  Besides cancer treatments, risk factors for lymphedema include obesity, slow skin healing after surgery, a tumor causing lymph node blockage, and scar tissue from surgery or radiation.4

Treatment and Prevention

Coping with LymphedemaThe general medical treatment options for lymphedema include physical compression (i.e., garments, bandaging, pump therapy with a pneumatic sleeve), decongestive therapy or manual drainage of the lymphatic ducts, surgery (i.e., lymphatic vessel grafting, vascularized lymph node transfer, lymphatic venous anastomosis, liposuction), and low level laser therapy.5 

Preventative Options

There are prevention options patients may want to consider.  Before undergoing cancer treatments, patients can be taught to identify the early symptoms of edema to get immediate treatment.  The effectiveness of treatment decreases with time as the lymphedema is left to develop without intervention.  Exercise may be helpful for cancer patients.  Skin and nail hygiene can prevent cellulitis infection.  Treating breaks in the skin with moisturizers or topical ointments, using sunscreen, keeping feet dry and clean, and being aware of infection can also help cancer patients avoid lymphedema problems.  Keeping the affected arm or leg elevated, changing positions often, wearing loose clothing, and other positional considerations are useful practices. 

CDT and Other Treatment Options

Coping with LymphedemaPatients who begin to notice any unusual symptoms should talk to a medical professional immediately in order to determine whether lymphedema or some other condition is a cause for concern.6  Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is a non-invasive treatment option for the condition.  This includes manual lymph drainage (MDL), a gentle massage technique, as well as compression therapy, exercise, which the patient performs while wearing bandages or compression garments, and taking care of the skin and nails to prevent infection.7  Patients may also want to lose weight if necessary, eat a healthy diet, which would include the elimination of processed foods and unhealthy oils, and consider some dietary supplements and herbs (i.e., bromelain, flaxseed, fish oil, ginger tea, calcium and magnesium, colloidal silver, etc.) in order to strengthen the immune system and fight inflammation.8

References:

1 http://www.mayoclinic.com

2, 3, 5 http://en.wikipedia.org

4 http://www.cancer.gov

6 http://www.cancer.gov

7 http://www.backtohealthonline.com

8 http://www.naturalnews.com

Email, RSS Follow

Find This Useful? Check Out These Related Posts:

The Differences Between a Cold and the Flu what does a chiropractor do for sciaticaWhat Does a Chiropractor Do For Sciatica? What Causes Pain In the Back Muscles and How Is It TreatedWhat Causes Pain In the Back Muscles, and How Is It Treated Coping with Spina BifidaCoping with Spina Bifida

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
find a chiropractor in your area
search our listings
Keywords
Zip Code
glossary

Featured Video

Recent Posts

  • How Can a Yoga Wheel Help You Be More Flexible

    How Can a Yoga Wheel Help You Be More Flexible

    November 26, 2019
  • How McDonald’s Nutrition Can Affect Your Diet

    How McDonald’s Nutrition Can Affect Your Diet

    November 19, 2019
  • How a Pillow for Neck Pain Can Give You a Fresh Start

    How a Pillow for Neck Pain Can Give You a Fresh Start

    October 31, 2019
  • A Dog Chiropractor is Not the Only Animal Health Specialist

    A Dog Chiropractor is Not the Only Animal Health Specialist

    October 25, 2019
  • Trading Painkillers for Chiropractic Care

    Trading Painkillers for Chiropractic Care

    October 22, 2019

copyright © 2021 echiropractor.org

About Privacy Policy Terms of Use Site Map Contact Us

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.