There's no cure for lymphedema. Treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and preventing complications.
Lymphedema can be a long-term problem, but there are ways to manage it. The key is to know what to look for, and then to get help right away when you first notice signs and symptoms. Lymphedema can be treated, and it's more likely to respond to treatment if it's diagnosed and treated early.
Avoid wearing tight clothing or jewellery. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time if you have leg swelling.
Severe cases of lymphedema can affect the ability to move the affected limb, increase the risks of skin infections and sepsis, and can lead to skin changes and breakdown.
Its main symptom is swelling of the arms or legs, but if left untreated, lymphedema can lead to severe discomfort and life-threatening infections.
Exercises. Gentle contraction of the muscles in the arm or leg can help move the excess fluid out of the swollen limb. Manual lymph drainage. Therapists trained in this massage-like technique use very light pressure to move the trapped fluid in the swollen limb toward an area with working lymph vessels.
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.
Physical activity is important for managing lymphoedema. Physical activity: works your muscles, which increases the flow of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system and helps move it away from the swollen area.
Stage 4: Elephantiasis (large deformed limb), skin thickening with “wart-like” growth and extensive scarring.
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.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With Lymphedema? 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. Consult with your doctor to determine the best treatment options for you.
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.
People with stage 3 lymphedema — the most advanced stage — have visible swelling, and the affected area enlarges and becomes misshapen. There is also a higher risk of infection. The skin hardens and thickens so much there is no pitting, and lymph can leak through damaged tissue. Advertisement.
Lymphedema can occur when the lymph system is damaged, which can prevent the lymph fluid from returning to the blood. For people with cancer, the build-up of lymph fluid can be caused by: Cancer surgery, especially when lymph nodes are removed. Radiation therapy that can damage nearby lymph nodes or lymph vessels.
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.
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.
CDT is considered the gold standard for lymphedema management. Medical professionals consider CDT an effective treatment because it combines multiple approaches to maximize overall patient improvement.
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.
Does drinking water help with lymphedema? Absolutely! Because the body is more prone to hold onto excess liquid when it feels dehydrated, drinking enough water is especially important for those with lymphedema so they can maintain a healthy fluid and chemical balance.
Positioning yourself
Make sure you fully support your leg with a cushion or pillow under the knee. With lymphoedema of your head and neck, sleep with 2 or 3 pillows to raise your head and help the fluid drain. You can also raise the head of the bed by using blocks under the legs of the head of the bed.
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.
Stage 1 is early edema, which improves with limb elevation. Stage 2 represents pitting edema that does not resolve with elevation. Stage 3 describes fibroadipose deposition and skin changes. The severity of lymphedema is categorized as mild (<20% increase in extremity volume), moderate (20–40%), or severe (>40%).
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.