| Not many people understand what lymphedema is. It | | | | maintain the attained status. Skin care is an integral |
| refers to the swelling caused as a result of lymphatic | | | | component of CDT, so that you are ensured optimal |
| obstruction. The swelling leads to pain and restriction of | | | | safety. |
| movement, subsequently causing infection. In order to | | | | Pneumatic compression or compression pump is |
| prevent the mild condition from becoming severe, early | | | | another technique, which helps in reducing the swelling |
| diagnosis and treatment should be the goal. Though | | | | to a large extent. A pneumatic sleeve attached to a |
| lymphedema is not completely curable it can be | | | | pump is worn over the affected part. This is then |
| treated effectively. The treatment depends upon the | | | | inflated which then aids in draining the fluid away from |
| type of lymphedema - primary or secondary. | | | | that body part. |
| When you visit a medical practitioner, he or she will | | | | It is recommended to take stock of what all is available |
| take a detailed history and do a thorough local | | | | in the market for a better management of |
| examination. Usually, these two things should be | | | | lymphedema. There are pressure garments, also |
| sufficient to diagnose lymphedema. These days, we | | | | known as compression garments, which are in the |
| have advanced tests like Lymphoscintigraphy, which | | | | form of long sleeves or stockings. They have to be |
| can highlight the blocked areas. Timely and accurate | | | | worn throughout the day and should be removed at |
| diagnosis is the first step towards treatment of | | | | night. |
| lymphedema. | | | | Compression bandaging or wrapping is also applied by |
| The role of drugs and surgery in the treatment of | | | | some practitioners to encourage lymphatic drainage. |
| lymphedema is considerably less. But, it is advisable to | | | | The affected part is wrapped up tightly in compression |
| remember that although there is no definite cure, it is | | | | bandages, and these lymphedema aids can be worn |
| possible to manage this medical condition effectively. | | | | while moving around, during exercising, or when |
| Once the assessment and diagnosis is done with, the | | | | performing other activities. They help in bringing down |
| treatment phase should be proceeded with. | | | | the swelling significantly. |
| As the walls of the lymph vessels and the surrounding | | | | Today, you can get compression specialized aids in |
| muscles lack the ability to provide adequate | | | | the form of custom-fitted garments made of foam |
| compression for drainage of fluids against gravity, | | | | and fabric. Kinesio taping is the new entrant in the field |
| most treatment methods aim at providing the much | | | | and is used for providing compression in areas such as |
| needed compression to the lymph vessels. | | | | head and neck, where other methods of compression |
| Complete Decongestant Therapy or CDT is the | | | | are not as effective. |
| treatment preferred in most cases. It involves | | | | An experienced medical practitioner will be the best |
| massaging the affected area to reduce swelling. After | | | | person to decide what line of treatment is optimum for |
| this has been achieved, compression bandages are | | | | a patient. With the advent of new medical equipment, |
| used in conjunction with therapeutic exercises to | | | | lymphedema is very much treatable. |