Your Good Health - Lymphedema

I had the opportunity to write an article this month for our local paper. The second Thursday of each month there is a section called "Your Good Health". I took this opportunity to try and increase awareness of Lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition that mostly affects people post cancer treatment. There are ways to manage the condition and I think I achieved my goal of getting the word out there through the article. Please have a look and let me know what you think!

Lymphedema:

Have you had radiation therapy for cancer or lymph node removal to see if a cancer has migrated? If you or anyone you know can answer yes to these questions, have you ever heard of lymphedema? No? Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of tissue fluid in a limb due to ineffective lymphatic system. Procedures such as radiation and lymph node removal cause trauma to the system and may result in a sluggish lymphatic system. It is not a condition that affects everyone, and there is no way to determine if or when someone at risk will get it. It occurs most commonly in women who have had breast cancer or cervical cancer, and as a part of the staging process had lymph nodes removed or radiation treatments to the axilla or groin areas. It occurs mostly in the arms, legs, and abdomen but can be anywhere in the body. It first starts with any or a combination of the following symptoms: feeling of heaviness in the affected limb, swelling in the limb as the day progresses, clothing or jewellery fitting tight, skin tightening, achiness, limb feels full and a decrease in mobility. It can progress to constant swelling, discomfort, skin changes, infection, pain and skin pitting. It is non-life threatening but some of the complications such as infections must be treated by medical professionals immediately. If you have been diagnosed with lymphedema, Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT), is the most recognized and successful treatment available at this time. CDT combines several modalities of treatment to achieve, maintain and manage the best results possible. These modalities are:

• Integrated / Manual Lymphatic Drainage: hands on massage techniques used to help redirect the fluid into other pathways of the lymphatic system to encourage drainage.
• Compression Therapy: use of special bandaging or compression garments to help maintain and manage results achieved from hands on treatment. 
• Exercise: review of current programs to identify possible triggers or modifications to help maximize quality of life.  
• Education and Self Care: provided by the therapist to the client and the client’s family about the condition, reducing risks of triggering an incidence, managing and taking steps to keep tissue healthy. 

The primary goal of CDT is to mobilize the congested tissue fluid, reduce the proliferation of connective tissue and fat and diminish symptoms. Only certified therapists should treat Lymphedema. You can find a certified therapist and more information through associations such as The Lymphedema Association of Ontario (www.lymphontario.ca). If you think you may be at risk or want to find out more you can contact the Lymphedema Association of Ontario, or check with your local cancer support centers to see if they offer an education series dealing with lymphedema or have other resource material dealing with lymphedema.