Description
What is Lymphedema?
FINAL CONTENT TO COME (this section)
The term edema refers to the accumulation of an excessive amount of fluid in cells, tissues, or organs and is clinically characterized by swelling. A variety of conditions can produce edema including chronic venous insufficiency, infection, and trauma. Lymphedema is a progressive condition that occurs when the lymphatic transport system falls below the capacity needed to handle the fluids that normally leak from the blood vessels into the lymph system. The accumulation of fluids leads to the swelling of subcutaneous tissue as a result of obstruction of lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes. Any disease process that interferes with or disrupts the normal mechanical process by which the lymphatic system collects, filters, and returns lymph fluid back into the circulatory system can result in excessive accumulation of lymph fluid in the area affected by the blockage. Since the arterial capillaries continue to function normally and deliver fluid to the tissue, the volume of fluid increases significantly until the venous capillaries are no longer able to compensate for the defective lymph vessels. At the point where drainage has been reduced by 80% or more, symptoms of lymphedema become apparent.
About the Medifocus Guidebook on Lymphedema
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Lymphedema, it's critical to learn everything you possibly can about this condition so that you can make informed decisions about your treatment. That's why we created the Medifocus Guidebook on Lymphedema, a comprehensive 165 page guide to symptons, treatments, research and support. Available as either a soft-cover book or in PDF format, this unique guidebook answers many of your most important questions about Lymphedema including:
- What are the causes and risk factors for Lymphedema?
- What are the signs and symptoms?
- Which medical tests and procedures are necessary to establish and confirm the diagnosis?
- What are the goals of treatment?
- What are the standard treatments?
- What are the treatment options?
- What impact does this condition have on quality of life?
- Are there any new promising treatments currently under development?
- Where can you find doctors, hospitals, and medical centers with specialized expertise in managing patients with Lymphedema?
