domingo, 24 de enero de 2021

WORLD NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES DAY 2021 - Lymphostatic Elephantiasis - Lymphatic Filariasis & Podoconiosis - Secondary Lymphoedema

ELEPHANTIASIS

January 30 is recognized worldwide, as the day to highlight the “Neglected Diseases”. Some severe and neglected diseases are not only located in poor or developing countries, but also can be found in European and high-tech western nations, as is the case of Lymphostatic Elephantiasis. The medical term elephantiasis is used to identify a part of the body, which has undergone progressive deformity and trophic skin changes as a result of chronic lymphedema. Throughout the world, the lack of treatment or under-treatment of lymphedema makes elephantiasis a condition that is still present today. Read more about the best treatment for elephantiasis here.



Elephantiasis is preventable in the majority of cases, if the underlying cause which is lymphoedema, is treated in its initial mild stages. In the case of lymphatic filariasis (LF) it is recognized that in many cases it is first acquired in childhood, often as many as one-third of children are infected before age 5. This fact needs urgent implications by international health organizations and public health systems, for prevention campaigns and management for this childhood illness. The cornerstone for the “PREVENTION” of elephantiasis, is compression treatment of initial mild stage I lymphedema, as well as to reduce the incidence of dermato-lymphangio-adenitis (infectious cellulitis) and Lymphangitis, which are the cause of the subsequent worsening of the condition. Read more about DLA (Dermatolymphangioadenitis) in lymphedema here.


International awareness campaigns are needed for access to compression therapy and garments for patients diagnosed with chronic lymphoedema, many of them children, since this is the only possible way to stop the progression of the disease. Elephantiasis is a treatable condition, but it will never be eradicated from the world and will continue to be a severe public health problem, as long as there is non-treatment or under-treatment of lymphatic dysfunction (Lymphedema).

REFERENCES










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












LYMPHEDEMA INCIDENCE 
AND PREVALENCE
(click on the texts) 








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


SIGN THE PETITION HERE



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