Lymphedema: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Lymph is nothing but a clear fluid which is carried through very small channels through out the human body just like the way in which blood is carried in the blood vessels. If these flow of the fluid is blocked it will result in the blocking up of the surrounding tissues.

This usually happens in the arms and the legs and is called the lymphedema. This is of two types primary and secondary. The primary type of lymphedema can be present from birth or occurs during puberty or in later years of life. Primary lymphedema is usually caused by the missing of the lymphatic channels which carry the lymph. It occurs mostly in women and the patient usually complaints of the swelling of the leg, foot, or the entire extremity.

When you examine the edema it is very diffuse, will cause a typical mound on the back part of hand and foot, and is very partially compressible. In the acute period there are no skin changes and the veins are also not distended. If the lymphedema is because of the infection then the effect of the antistreptococcal antibiotic is extremely rapid.

If the course of antibiotics is not completed then they are great chances for the relapses. In the severe cases the swollen area will become tender and the skin will be thickened. The secondly type of lymphedema is generally caused due to the infection. In this type the onset is explosive, with high fever, chills, toxicity, and a hot, swollen, red leg. Red streaks are usually seen on the skin over a large area and the lymph nodes which are in the groin are tender and enlarged.

The causes and the risk factors of lymphedema are prolonged standing, obesity, pregnancy, menstrual period and the warm water. Lymphedema of the lower extremities usually begins with mild swelling in the foot which extends to the whole limb. This endema is painless and in the initial stages is compressible. Slowly the skin over the endema will become brawny and also non pitting. The swollen part will have a little pain.

There is no clear evidence of the varicose veins and ulceration. The diagnosis of lymphedema is usually made clinically. Lymphangiography that is using an injection into the lymphatic channels that is the area between the fingers and toes is not performed as the material which is used to outline the channels may cause more damage to the lymphatic’s making the problem worse. The information about the anatomy can be provided with less risk by using the lymphosynctigraphy.

The swelling can be easily treated by the elevation or the periodic compression with the use of a device composed of the air bladders that will intermittently squeeze the extremity, and then a compression garment or firm bandage is worn when the patient is up. These days the massage by a trained therapist is done for better results. The effected are is massaged in the same direction as the lymphatic flow.

This massage is done daily by anyone once the standard response is achieved. Once the size of the limb is decreased the compression garment are again used to maintain the size of the limb.