jueves, 20 de abril de 2017

WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TREATS LYMPHEDEMA/LYMPHOEDEMA - Who Diagnoses and Treats Lymphedema? - Which Medical Specialities Are Related To Lymphedema - Organic Lymphatic Vascular Disease


As lymphoedema is a condition related to the Circulatory System (Organic Lymphatic Vascular Disease), the medical professional who should diagnose and evaluate lymphedema patients is the Vascular Surgeon specializing in lymphatic diseases. It is the competence of this specialty, within the framework of an interdisciplinary unit, to evaluate and periodically monitor the follow-up of patients.


In Lymphedema Units it is where different specialties can best attend to, treat, and maintain the stability of the condition. The medical specialties involved in lymphedema are Vascular Surgery, Angiology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Traumatology, Gynecology, Urology, Pediatrics, Oncology, Physical Therapy, Physical Rehabilitation, etc. 




Lymphedema is the result of a permanent deficiency in the functioning of the Lymphatic System (Organic Impairment). The Lymphatic Venous System as well as the Blood Venous System, belongs to the Circulatory System. Although their structure and functions are different, they are interrelated and need one another. The lymphatic system is also part of the Immune System. Read more information about what is an Organic Impairment HERE.



In the case of lymphedema, there can be a double impairment
, on the one hand, there is an Organic Disability due to a permanent failure in the lymphatic system, and on the other a possible Physical Disability, due to the functional deficit produced by the consequent chronic edema. Read more information about Lymphedema and disability HERE


Patients with lymphedema suffer progressive and chronic edema of inflammatory origin, which may lead to pain, heaviness, fatigue, skin deterioration, recurrent infections, etc., and a significantly reduced quality of life at personal, family, and work levels. The edema can progress to gigantic proportions (elephantiasis), causing disfigurement with severe effects. Read more information about the signs, symptoms, and complications of lymphedema HERE



Lymphedema without adequate treatment, has more possibilities of developing very serious complications such as sepsis (septicemia) due to lymphangitis/erysipelas (Cellulitis), or the rare but deadly complication that is lymphangiosarcoma, which is why it is necessary for an early diagnosis of the disease, and in general, regular medical attention and check-ups, through health-care personnel specialized in the lymphatic system. 



IMPORTANT NOTICE 

Lymphedema is a serious chronic and progressive disease due to lymphatic dysfunction (Organic Lymphatic Vascular Disease). The clinical treatment of lymphedema is neither a cosmetic nor an aesthetic treatment. The treatment of lymphedema is to control its progression and alleviate the symptoms related to dysfunction of the lymphatic circulatory system. 

To prevent and avoid serious complications associated with treatment, such as the possible displacement of edema to previously unaffected areas when compression therapy is applied for volume reduction, patients should use highly specialized and experienced therapists. 

Professional qualification and instruction delivered remotely online are not the same as live hands-on practical instruction in the clinical training and certification of lymphedema therapists, similar to all other rehabilitation, medical, and surgical training programs, and especially for developing the necessary manual skills to treat a disease as complex as lymphedema. 

Patients should also take special care when choosing a Multidisciplinary Center of Reference for Lymphedema, as not all countries and centers provide the same treatment options. The best choice is a center of reference that provides Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which is recognized as the Gold Standard treatment for lymphedema.

  • Read more about what is the best treatment option for Lymphedema HERE.
  • Read about what are the principal functions of Manual Lymphatic Drainage HERE.
  • Read about what are the main differences between the two principal lymphedema treatment protocols HERE. 
  • Read about what are the strategies for the implementation of low-cost treatment options for Lymphedema HERE.

REFERENCES

(Click on the texts to read the research articles)

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

CUTANEOUS COMPLICATIONS
INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS
CELLULITIS / DERMATOLYMPHANGIOADENITIS
TUMOURS

TREATMENT

COMPRESSION GARMENTS

DISABILITY

DISFIGUREMENT

PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT

PEDIATRIC LYMPHEDEMA

LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS / PODOCONIOSIS










  • WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TREATS LYMPHEDEMA/LYMPHOEDEMA - WHICH MEDICAL SPECIALITIES ARE RELATED TO LYMPHEDEMA











LYMPHEDEMA INCIDENCE 
AND PREVALENCE
(click on the texts) 









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