Even
though elephantiasis is the outcome consequence of severe lymphedema
due to lymphatic dysfunction, it is perceived worldwide in texts of
health related organizations, that there is a persistent attempt to
prioritize and link elephantiasis to filariasis, and so putting in
secondary place its incidence and prevalance with regard to the other
causes.
Elephantiasis
is also projected as if an isolated disease, as if
it
appears suddenly or without apparent cause, and that the best first
treatment option in developing counties, is basic patient self-care (limb washing and elevation), or radical debulking procedure surgery (Charles Procedure) if
the first treatment option does not respond.
This
healthcare focus and strategy is very important, for it implies and
requires no investment in good conservative treatment options. The
majority of lymphoedema patients in developing counties are not being
treated with compression therapy and garments, and when they get to
final Stage-III elephantiasis, some receive
debulking procedure surgery to reduce limb volume, and others try
to survive
with serious infections such as dermatolymphangioadentitis-ADLA (Infectious Cellulitis), sepsis or
malignant complications.
These
same texts
mention the population incidence of elephantiasis due to filariasis in poor regions,
but say nothing at the same time regarding the millions of people
suffering Primary Lymphoedema and other Secondary Lymphedema in these same countries,
who are also living
in dramatic conditions of undertreatment and in Stage elephantiasis.
It is understood at a medical level, that if a disease manifests
itself with pain and has serious complications, its then considered a
priority healthcare matter that needs prompt and regular treatment.
So
if elephantiasis is portrayed internationally as principally related
to filariasis, this subjectively implies that its not such an
important risk factor for the rest of causes. And if elephantiasis is
presented also apparently as a disease in itself and as
if a spontaneous
condition, then there is no point treating lymphatic dysfunction in
its early and mild first Stag-1 lymphoedema.
There
are still today numerous protocols and best practice guides, that
define lymphoedema as a non-painful condition or without serious complications. This
is one of the reasons why health systems in many countries are not
creating specialized Lymphoedema Units, and patients are taught and
encouraged not only self-care for maintenance, but also
self-treatment for the reduction of their oedema.
It is very
important to clearly define what is lymphoedema and its symptoms,
what is elephantiasis, what is basic self-care, and what are the best
treatment options accepted today for the treatment of lymphatic
dysfunction.
Articles which may also interest you:
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- 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 FOR
LYHMPHEDEMA
INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE
CLICK ON THE TEXTS FOR
LYHMPHEDEMA
INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE
LYHMPHEDEMA
INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE
WORLD CAMPAIGN
For global awareness it is being asked that the
WHO - WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION,
name:
"LYMPHEDEMA - AWARENESS & CURES"
as the World Health Day campaign
KATHY BATES
LYMPHEDEMA EMBASSADOR