domingo, 11 de noviembre de 2018

IS THERE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS ASSOCIATED WITH NONTREATMENT OR UNDERTREATMENT OF LYMPHOEDEMA - Psychosocial impact and sequelae of untreated Lymphostatic Elephantiasis – Coping psychologically with lymphoedema – Paediatric and Primary Lymphoedema - Secondary Lymphoedema – Filariasis /Podoconiosis - Lymphatic Dysfunction – Rare Disease

Many people who suffer from chronic diseases that entail joint physical, organic, and functional limitations like lymphedema, may experience some level of social isolation, depression, embarrassment, and despair. In many cases what else could be foreseen, if at the same time the condition is untreated or undertreated with ineffective solutions. 

Apart from the possible psychological implications of lymphedema due to disfigurement and disability (limitation of function), patients can't be expected not to have distress and emotional problems, when they are at the same time in the dramatic situation of seeing their health condition worsening. The logical procedure is to first solve problems of access to first-line compression treatment, and then manage the psychological distress if it still exists.


In terms of the psychological acceptance of a person affected by Grade III lymphoedema-elephantiasis, important questions arise as to what their emotional response should be to non-treatment or under-treatment, knowing the quality of life and very serious outcome that this disease could lead to. 

Lymphedema is not in itself a psychopathology, nor does it predispose individuals to poor mental health. What lymphedema needs are good compression treatment and garments for the reduction and maintenance of edema, and what influences individuals with neglected and untreated diseases to be frustrated and depressed, is precisely being medically neglected and untreated. For information on what is the best treatment for lymphedema:


Psychological distress related to medical conditions is not something new, and no matter what illness or context, the impact of chronic diseases usually always affects people's lives, especially when there are difficulties to access good treatment options. Patients must first access the correct treatment for their illness and then be treated psychologically if needed. Self-care support and activities are important for lymphedema, but patients also need at the same time access to first-line compression therapy and garments, to control the progression of the disease. Read more about the signs, symptoms, and complications of lymphoedema HERE.

Leaving patients with lymphatic vascular dysfunction, including those affected by filariasis and podoconiosis, untreated or undertreated is the same as leaving people to their fate. The progressive swelling and inflammation of lymphostatic edema can lead to severe disfigurement, disability, and even fatal infectious complications. In many cases, rather than a psychological problem of acceptance on the part of the person, it is the lack of access to good treatment that causes the stress factors, which incidentally could also be considered a serious breach of "Human Rights", in terms of access to adequate health care for individuals.


References:

( Treatment and management directly and negatively affect persons with lymphedema)

Voices from the Shadows: Living with Lymphedema
Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer: A Population-based Study
Complete Decongestive Therapy Treatment for lymphedema and its relationship with Patients Psychological and Physical characteristics:
Lymphoedema management: an international intersect between developed and developing countries. Similarities, differences, and challenges.
Old people with lymphedema
Interesting document "Podoconiosis stigma scale" that even though focused on Africa, it adapts perfectly to all Primary and Secondary lymphedema alike, to measure the psychological impact of having to live with lymphedema.


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






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