03/11/2024
March is Lymphedema Awareness Month. Lymphedema is swelling generally occurring in one of your arms or legs. Still, it may also occur in other body areas, including the breast, chest, head and neck, and ge****ls, due to trauma or abnormalities of the lymphatic system. Lymphedema is mostly caused by the removal of or damage to your lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment. It results from a blockage in your lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. The blockage prevents lymph fluid from draining well, and the buildup leads to swelling. The swelling caused by lymphedema ranges from mild, hardly noticeable changes in the size of your arm or leg to extreme changes that make the limb hard to use.
Lymphedema caused by cancer treatment may not occur until months or years after treatment.
Causes of secondary lymphedema may include:
-Cancer treatments
-Surgery or trauma-related
-Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
-Infections
Causes of primary lymphedema may include:
-Milroy's disease (congenital lymphedema)
-Meige's disease (lymphedema praecox)
-Late-onset lymphedema (lymphedema tarda)
Complete Decongestive Therapy, sometimes referred to as CDT, is the gold standard of care for lymphedema therapy. Treatment is performed by a trained physical, occupational, or massage therapist and can also be performed by a trained nurse or doctor.
If you are experiencing lymphedema, make an appointment with our rural health clinic today. We have staff trained to perform CDT.
# CompleteDecongestiveTherapy
