ABOUT LYMPHOEDEMA

Lymphoedema is a long-term condition which involves the swelling of limbs through excess fluid in the body's tissues. It is caused by a build up of the body's waste fluids collating in the tissue cells due to a defect or impairment in the lymphatic system usually appearing in the arms or legs. The lymphatic system is a stream of hair-like vessels which are used to carry lymph fluid through lymph nodes. The network is used as a one way drainage to transport fluid from tissues. Additionally, the nodes get rid of waste product/toxins produced by cells as well as containing white blood cells to fight infection. This means that the lymph system not only works as part of the vascular system but also your immune system. Lymphoedema is caused due to the body not being able to drain this fluid because of a damaged, dead or blocked lymph node, vessel or capillary. There is no 100% cure for Lymphoedema, however, there are specialist techniques which assist in reducing swelling, particularly if diagnosed early.

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Primary Lymphoedema - when you are born with the defect in the lymph system but the effects may not occur until later due to changes in the body. There are 3 types of primary Lymphoedema.

1) congenital lymphoedema - present at birth or diagnosed within two years of birth

2) lymphoedema praecox - at puberty or the beginning of the third decade

3) lymphoedema tarda - after the age of 35

Primary Lymphoedema effected around 1 in 6,000 people in the UK.

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Secondary Lymphoedema - when there is a root cause for a defect or blockage due to things like infection, trauma, injury, immobility, obesity or cancer treatment/radiotherapy effecting the lymph nodes. Secondary Lymphoedema is as a result of an external factor and effects 20,000 people in the UK.

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PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT I AM NOT A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL. DO NOT TAKE THIS AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ANY INFORMATION ON THIS SITE IS PURELY FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, OPINIONS, RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE