lunes, 26 de junio de 2017

ELEPHANTIASIS IS NOT ONLY LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS - Campaign to Prevent Elefantiasis due to Primary Lymphedema (Rare Disease) and Secondary Lymphedema - Prevention and Awareness Campaign



Every day people around the world are born or develop lymphatic circulatory disorders known as Primary or Secondary Lymphedema. Elephantiasis is the worst degree that this disease can progress, and it is essential that those affected have access to early specialized treatment.

In many European and industrialized countries, lymphedema patients receive specialized physiotherapy treatment (CDT- Complete Decongestive Therapy) and are given the compression garments necessary to retain the progression of the condition.


On the other hand, we find that in many regions of Africa, India, South America, Asia, and even some European countries, treatment for most of these people is non-existent or minimal, based simply on the recommendation of the use of footwear, washing, and elevation of limbs. These patients do not have access to the necessary lymphatic drainage and multilayer bandages conducted by certified therapists, or the necessary compression garments, all of which are indispensable for the maintenance of the condition.
Read more about why the world is not treating a treatable disease like lymphedema HERE.

For the maintenance phase of lymphedema management, compression is the most important intervention. Compression garments are easy to use and achieve significant improvements in most patients without causing much discomfort. The beneficial value of applying compression stockings in the treatment of venous and lymphatic disease is supported by recommendations rated as Grade 1 evidence. 

The daily use of standard bandages for lymphedema is not practical, for they tend to loosen and slip off when undertaking work that requires continuous physical activity, and likewise, dirty bandages can also be an important source of infection. 

Campaigns by international organizations and public awareness are necessary and essential to "PREVENT" elephantiasis due to lymphatic disorders, whether a result of poor circulation, traumas, interventions, insects, or people being born with the disease. Those affected need treatment to lead a good quality of life and, be safeguarded from a dramatic future that the progression of this sickness leads to. Not only Lymphatic Filariasis leads to Elephantiasis. Read about what is the best treatment for elephantiasis HERE


IMPORTANT NOTICE 

Lymphedema is a serious chronic and progressive disease due to an organic disability. 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



Articles that may also interest you: 
(Click on the texts)










  • WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TREATS LYMPHEDEMA/LYMPHOEDEMA - WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR IS SPECIALIZED IN LYMPHATIC DYSFUNCTION - WHICH MEDICAL SPECIALITIES ARE RELATED TO LYMPHEDEMA












CLICK ON THE TEXTS 
TO SEE  LYHMPHEDEMA INCIDENCE 
AND PREVALENCE








Print this post