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Looking for Symptoms of Lymphedema

Before considering the symptoms of lymphedema, let us first understand this health condition. A person is said to be suffering from lymphedema when there is a swelling of the hands or the legs due to malfunctioning of the lymphatic system of the body. Damage to the lymph vessels and the lymph nodes due to a surgery, radiation therapy or their removal causes lymphedema. There are two types of lymphedema, primary and secondary. The primary one is present at birth while the secondary one is an acquired condition.

Lymphedema can affect any part of the body and the symptoms may include a feeling of heaviness in the limb or swelling in the area. Fluid may accumulate in the head or neck region and the skin of the affected limb may be discolored. Generally, the first symptom of lymphedema that the person may notice is the sensation of fullness in the arms or legs. This may happen for the first time after an injury or trauma to the part of the body that was treated for cancer. It could also happen after a long airplane trip when the cabin pressure suddenly drops. You may be unable to flex your arms or wrist or move your ankles or fingers. Sometimes, you might find difficulty fitting into your clothes in specific areas due to the swelling. Or, you might suddenly find that the bracelet or ring you wore comfortably yesterday is becoming tight today.

Lymphedema is considered to be one of the side effects of breast cancer treatment. Women who have had mastectomy or lumpectomy along with the removal of the lymph nodes in the armpit are at a high risk for this condition. Lymphedema develops in such cases because there is a change in the channel that drains the fluids. It can happen any time after surgery and may worsen if the initial symptoms of lymphedema are ignored.

Studies have shown that women who lift weights after breast cancer surgery may not experience a worsening of the lymphedema symptoms. The theory put forth here is that a weightlifting program may boost the strength in the affected arm, thus providing protective benefits to the patient. Even otherwise, an exercise routine is recommended by doctors to patients who have gone through a surgical procedure for cancer treatment.

Persons who have had a surgery for treating cancer should be alert to the symptoms of lymphedema. If you experience any feeling of heaviness or skin tightening in a particular body area, you must immediately consult your doctor. The condition should be treated in the initial stage itself before it advances to an irreversible stage. It is advisable to maintain a nutritious diet and reduce the intake of foods that are high in fats and salt. A skin care regime that involves cleansing and moisturizing also helps. Above all, avoid infections by protecting your skin from burns, bruises and scratches. There is no cure for lymphedema, but with proper health care and exercise, the problem can be reduced.

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