Critical Medicine and Treatment

Exercise controlled hygienic-dietary measures prevent lymphedema following breast removal, as stated by the president of the Spanish Society of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Inmaculada García Montes, in the context of the Seventeenth National Congress of the Spanish Chapter Phlebology.

Garcia Montes said “it is an accumulation of protein-rich fluid called lymph in the interstitial space from overload or damage the drainage system and is characterized by chronic and progressive edema of the affected limb, and its most common form of appearance is associated with neoplastic disease and causes major disruption resulting aesthetic and functional problems of pain.

This expert said that although there is no cure, it may prevent the onset of secondary lymphedema and can be treated when it is already well established to reduce disability and occurrence of complications and keep it stable over time.

He also stressed that “the most common cause of lymphedema is mastectomy lymphedema, which accounts for 70 percent of the total, but nuance is not yet the most difficult cases to diagnose. “The lower limb lymphedema is often overlooked and misdiagnosed, which causes patients who suffer from it takes an average of 13 years to receive a proper diagnosis, and attending a specialist in advanced stages of the disease when complications occur partner, “he said.

As for the main causes of lymphedema noted that are congenital anomalies of the lymphatic system (which is known as primary lymphedema), cancer and its treatment – secondary lymphedema – a chronic venous disease of lower limb (edema lymphoma venous) or certain surgical procedures in the lower limbs.

He indicated that “the most frequent complications of lymphedema include infection (erysipelas, lymphangitis) and dermal complications as skin fibrosis, hyperkeratosis, elephantiasis, lymphatic fistulas with Chyle and, less commonly, lymphatic ulcers.

Among the recommendations for these patients, the expert stressed wash skin daily with pH neutral soap and dry thoroughly, using moisturizer to prevent dryness, avoid punctures or wounds on the affected arm, enable the use of preventive systems such as the use a thimble, gloves, mittens or oven; extreme caution in the manicure and shaving, trying to keep the nails straight, and without biting cuticles, or avoid direct heat sources in the affected limb

In addition, advise to use cotton clothing, avoid loading arm weights with affection and eliminate the use of bags, avoid cluttering it encourages lymphedema; not to overuse in sports, try to avoid the warm weather countries, to avoid compression of jewelry and not take the tension in the affected arm.
Source: Azprensa

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