Lymphoedema may not prevent you from continuing with your usual lifestyle and activities. However, you may need to modify some aspect of your life if these involve a lot of activity, or inactivity, of a swollen limb. Try to continue with your life as normally as possible but listen to your body.
Lymphedema is a life-long disease, but in most cases, it's not life-threatening as long as you take the right steps to treat it.
There's no cure for lymphedema. Treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and preventing complications.
Yes, lymphedema is considered a disability by the SSA if you can meet its Blue Book listing. This includes medical evidence proving your diagnosis as well as the need to prove you are unable to work for at least 12 months and have enough work credits required for eligibility for disability benefits.
There is no cure for later stages of the condition—once the lymph system is damaged, it cannot be repaired. However, that does not mean that lymphedema symptoms can't be managed. A medical provider might suggest a plan that includes: Weight loss and exercise to help lymphatic vessels move trapped lymph fluid.
Early-stage lymphedema can be treated with nonsurgical interventions, including medication, a healthy diet and manual compression. For advanced-stage lymphedema, surgical intervention may be recommended.
The swelling of lymphedema can develop quickly or progress over several months. Mild lymphedema might go unnoticed, and lymphedema caused by cancer treatment may not occur until months or years later.
Consideration of lymphoedema as a disability meeting the specific NDIS requirements will need to occur on a case by case basis. Many individuals may live with and manage lymphoedema as a chronic condition without meeting the disability requirements.
Lymphedema that is not controlled may cause:
wounds that don't heal, and an increased risk of skin infections that may cause pain, redness, and swelling. thickening or hardening of the skin. tight feeling in the skin; pressing on the swollen area does not leave a dent. hair loss.
Lymphedema commonly affects the arms and legs, often leads to life-threatening deep skin infections called cellulitis, and remains a lifelong functional problem requiring daily treatment.
Avoid skin infections, burns, and injuries
Your body responds to infection, burn, or injury to the skin by sending extra fluid and white blood cells to the area. If lymph nodes and vessels are missing or damaged, it's harder for your body to move this extra fluid, which can trigger or worsen lymphedema.
That's why actress Kathy Bates, a two-time cancer survivor, calls lymphedema “a souvenir you definitely don't want.” Known for her work in “Misery,” “Dolores Claiborne,” “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “Titanic,” Bates opened up about her experience with lymphedema to People magazine.
Exercise can reduce the risk of lymphedema. Exercise can lessen the pain and swelling from lymphedema. And exercise can sometimes even put lymphedema into remission.
The final stage of lymphedema is sometimes called lymphostatic elephantiasis, which refers to the engorged swelling of a limb due to persistent lymph fluid buildup. The skin stretches, thickens, becomes hard and tight, and changes color.
Lymphedema refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid that's usually drained through the body's lymphatic system. It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck and genitals. Lymph nodes are an important part of your lymphatic system.
STAGE II ( spontaneously irreversible stage)
There is increased swelling, which is not reduced by elevating the affected limb. The tissue is hardened and thickened; fibrosis and sclerosis have developed.
Researchers have now developed a new treatment using nanoparticles that can repair lymphatic vessel pumping. Traditionally, researchers in the field have tried to regrow lymphatic vessels, but repairing the pumping action is a unique approach.
If left untreated, lymphedema gets progressively worse with time. What that usually means is that the affected area becomes more swollen. Over time, you may notice changes in the skin itself. Skin in the affected area may thicken and grow bumps and sores.
In advanced cases, lymphoedema can limit movement of the legs and feet, interfering with driving as the driver cannot operate the pedals or does must do it slowly has poor control.
It's important to know that lymphedema can sometimes become severe and cause serious problems, and often is a long-term or chronic condition. This is why early and careful management is needed to help reduce symptoms and keep it from getting worse.
Currently, Medicare does not pay for any type of compression listed below. Other insurances may cover these as "durable medical equipment."
Decreased physical function, dyspnea, and fatigue occurs frequently in patients with lower limb lymphedema.
On the contrary, foods such as salt, caffeine, omega 6 or 9, alcohol, and sweets exert the opposite effect [32, 49]. Thus, they should be avoided by patients with lymphedema.
The risk continues for the rest of the person's life. Lymphedema can't be cured, but it can be managed. Any swelling should be checked by a healthcare provider right away. There's no way to know who will and won't get lymphedema, but there are things that can be done to help prevent it.