Lymphedema Research Paper

Lymphedema is an abnormal swelling where your lymph nodes were removed, the affected side. It can develop in the arm, hand, breast, or torso toward the side. Lymphedema develops when the arm's lymph vessels are no longer able to carry all the fluid out of the arm. In order to acquire Lymphedema, the flow of lymph fluid will become abnormal or impaired to a part of the body causing swelling. It results from a blockage in your lymphatic system. The blockage causes problems with draining lymph fluid properly and the fluid builds up leading to swelling into the affected area. According to Lymphatic Network, cancer survivors are more susceptible to developing lymphedema but breast cancer survivors are higher risk for it and 100% of people treated for neck and head cancer will develop the disease. Lymphedema can be primary or inherited; meaning, it can be inherited or caused by an issue with the lymphatic vessels. Since this is true, there can be a wide variety of causes of this disorder. When someone has lymphedema they may experience problems such as: Swelling in the arm or hand, feeling of tightness, heaviness or fullness in the arm or hand, thickening of the …show more content…
In order to prevent the disorder, first and foremost, the patient has to be aware of what was affected: lymph nodes or lymph vessels. Post surgery, prevention for lymphedema becomes a big deal, it is encouraged that these people are very carefully with the affected area, the limb is well rested, heat and tight clothing are avoiding and the limb is to be elevated and ALWAYS clean. Managing lymphedema is in fact, very easy. To manage lymphedema, patients are prompted to do almost exactly what is said to prevent it: keep lymph fluid flowing through elevation of the limb, protect and properly care for the limb, and avoid wearing tight clothes but be aware of the disorder just incase it becomes