What are the four stages of lymphedema?

What should you not do with lymphedema?

Avoid trauma or injury to the affected area. Avoid heavy lifting with the affected arm. No new tattoos in the affected area. Do not wear tight clothing, bands, shoes, or jewelry on the affected area.

What is Stage 3 lymphedema?

Stage 3: Severe stage

In stage 3, there is extensive swelling present. The tissue is fibrotic (hard) and pitting is no more possible. Skin changes, such as thickening, hyperpigmentation (change of color), increased skin folds, fat deposits, and wart-like growths, can develop.

Can lymphedema be fatal?

Lymphedema is classified as a chronic illness, and like most chronic illnesses, can prove fatal if left untreated or mismanaged. The latter stages of lymphedema can result in several other health-related complications, such as infection, disfigurement, pain, and even disability.

Can Stage 4 lymphedema be reversed?

Lymphedema can't be cured, but you can control the swelling and keep it from getting worse. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight may make it better, but "water pills" usually won't.

Stages of Lymphedema

Is walking good for lymphedema?

Physical activity encourages fluid to drain into the lymphatic system in the abdomen. Walking, swimming, yoga, pilates and Tai chi all might help to encourage the lymph to move. Pelvic floor exercises may also help.

Does lymphedema affect your heart?

Keeping a healthy weight is part of treatment for lymphedema. Cardiac impairments: This happens especially in cases of congestive heart failure. The lymphatic ducts empty lymph back into the heart. If there is decreased heart function, people may notice swelling to their legs and weight gain.

Is lymphedema a terminal?

Treatments for lymphoedema

Lymphoedema can't be cured but there are things you can do to manage it. There are four main parts to treatment: Compression — wearing special garments which gently squeeze the part of the body that's affected to encourage the fluid to drain away.

Can lymphedema cause amputation?

Complications of lymphedema also include recurrent bouts of cellulitis and/or lymphangitis, bacterial and fungal infections, lymphangio-adenitis, deep venous thrombosis, severe functional impairment, cosmetic embarrassment, and necessary amputation.

What is severe lymphedema?

Overview. Lymphedema refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid that's usually drained through the body's lymphatic system. It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck and genitals.

Does lymphedema worsen over time?

Lymphedema can occur months or years after treatment. It's a chronic (ongoing) condition that has no cure. But steps can be taken to help keep it from starting, and to reduce or relieve symptoms. If left untreated, lymphedema can get worse.

How fast does lymphedema progress?

Secondary lymphedema following lymphadenectomy and/or radiation typically begins 12 to 18 months following the injury to lymph vessels. Three-fourths of patients develop swelling within 3 years after the injury and the risk of lymphedema is 1% each year thereafter.

What foods to avoid if you have lymphedema?

Limit Certain Foods

Some foods can exacerbate lymphedema symptoms because of the way they are processed and the additives or high salt content they contain. These foods include added sugars — specifically fructose — refined grains, chemically modified fats and most animal and dairy products.

What is the best medicine for lymphedema?

Two early-stage clinical trials led by Stanford researchers have shown that ketoprofen can improve skin damage in patients with lymphedema.

What can make lymphedema worse?

Avoid skin infections, burns, and injuries

Your body responds to infection, burn, or injury to the skin by sending extra fluid and white blood cells to the area. If lymph nodes and vessels are missing or damaged, it's harder for your body to move this extra fluid, which can trigger or worsen lymphedema.

Does lymphedema make you tired?

Fatigue and Lymphedema

Although swelling in the legs, feet, arms and hands is perhaps the most recognizable symptom of lymphedema, persistent and chronic fatigue is another common symptom, and for some people, it can become so severe, even normal daily activities can become difficult.

Is lymphedema a physical disability?

Lymphedema is not a listed impairment, but you can still qualify for benefits. There are three ways that you can qualify for SSDI based on your lymphedema diagnosis. Your lymphedema may cause symptoms that are the medical equivalent of the severity of chronic venous insufficiency.

What is the difference between lymphedema and lymphoedema?

Key takeaways. Lipoedema is a chronic disorder of fat metabolism and distribution which usually manifests as a disproportional amount of fat stored on the lower half of the body. Lymphedema is an excess build-up of fluid in the arms or lower legs.

Can lymphedema affect your brain?

Researchers have found a new gene that, when mutated, can lead to lymphedema (swollen limbs) as part of a rare disorder that can also cause problems with eye and brain development. This is the fourth lymphedema-related gene found by the same researchers in three years, and the first linked to the eyes and brain.

What organs are affected by lymphedema?

Anatomy of the lymph system showing the lymph vessels and lymph organs, including the lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymph (clear fluid) and lymphocytes travel through the lymph vessels and into the lymph nodes where the lymphocytes destroy harmful substances.

Can lymphedema cause shortness of breath?

When present, internal lymphedema can cause changes in voice, difficulty swallowing, a sense of something being “stuck” in the back of the throat, and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing or even with vision. Most patients with head and neck lymphedema will have both internal and external areas involved.

How do you get rid of lymphedema fast?

How do you unclog your lymphatic system?

Regular physical exercise is a great way to get your lymphatic system pumping and detoxing your system of waste. Jumping, walking, stretching, yoga, Pilates, and other moderate exercises done on a daily basis will really improve the state of your lymph.

Does lymphedema get worse at night?

Symptoms of lymphoedema

The main symptom of lymphoedema is swelling in all or part of a limb or another part of the body. It can be difficult to fit into clothes, and jewellery and watches can feel tight. At first, the swelling may come and go. It may get worse during the day and go down overnight.