A DAY FOR VINDICATION, MARCH 12, WORLD ELEPHANTIASIS DAY
Despite effective treatment, lymphedema is still one of the world’s most neglected diseases, and people in many countries are shunned, denied basic human rights, and discriminated against. The burden associated with lymphedema Stage III (elephantiasis) affects the physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being of people, contributing to the cycle of disability, disfigurement (body deformities), and social stigmatization, poverty, and suffering.
World Elephantiasis Day is celebrated during Lymphedema Awareness Month and aims to raise awareness about diseases that affect the Lymphatic Vascular System, and teach people that it is easily treatable today. Lymphedema Stage III (elephantiasis) is not a rare condition, and many people in developing continue to suffer due to a lack of access to basic medical care. Read more information on what is the best treatment option for Lymphedema HERE.
Education and improving access to health services are keys to the successful prevention of Lymphedema Stage III (elephantiasis). The First-line reduction strategy for patients with established lymphedema is Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and compression (multilayer low-stretch bandages and gradient Compression Garments) are the cornerstones of therapy. People with lymphoedema need access to continuing care throughout their lives, both to manage the disease and to prevent infections like Cellulitis (Dermatolymphangioadenitis-DLA) and progression to more advanced stages like elephantiasis. Read more information on what country has the best treatment for lymphedema HERE.
Scientific studies highlight the importance and implications of compression therapy in controlling the progression of Lymphoedema. Clinical outcomes on interventions to manage lymphedema, show that simple hygiene-based measures (washing and elevation of limbs, exercise, use of footwear) are necessary, but these alone without compression are not enough to reduce the limb size and volume. Limb and genital Lymphedema should always be treated in their early stages, and not left undertreated till reaching its severe Stage III – elephantiasis. Read more information on what is the best treatment for the Elephantiasis Stage HERE.
With reference to Pediatric lymphedema, it is essential that children diagnosed with lymphatic dysfunction due to filariasis (Lymphatic Filariasis), which is also lymphedema, receive early preventive compression treatment with the first signs, to minimize fluid build-up and prevent later life severe clinical complications, disfigurement, and disability. Recent tests have revealed that LF is first acquired in childhood, often with as many as one-third of children infected before age 5. Prevention and controlling Early warning signs and symptoms are important since there is no cure.
Radical reductive ablative surgery (Charles Procedure), aimed to remove the diseased skin and subcutaneous tissue in Stage elephantiasis, should always be the last option for it is frequently associated with significant blood loss, morbidity, infections, permanent disfigurement, and recurrence of symptoms. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is not limited to lymphoedema stages 0 and I, and even late Stage III lymphoedema (elephantiasis) improves greatly with good results in the majority of cases, with correct Compression Therapy and Garments, thus preventing the need for debulking techniques.
Lymphedema is a progressive disease, and early diagnosis and treatment are paramount. Therefore, it is critical to diagnose and treat both mild and early onset cases to halt the progression of this lifelong and often debilitating condition. During World Elephantiasis Day, we seek to increase public understanding of Lymphatic Vascular Diseases and tackle the social stigma and undertreatment attached to this treatable disease.
REFERENCESELEPHANTIASIS
Neglected Patients with a Neglected Disease? A Qualitative Study of Lymphatic Filariasis
Conservative Treatment of Lymphoedema of the Limbs (Foldi)
Modern Treatment of Lymphoedema. Complex Physical Therapy.
Effectiveness and Safety of Complete Decongestive Therapy
Visualization of Accessory Lymphatic Pathways, after Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Criteria for the Establishment of Combined Decongestive Physiotherapy of Lymphedema in a Country
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- WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TREATS LYMPHEDEMA/LYMPHOEDEMA - WHICH MEDICAL SPECIALITIES ARE RELATED TO LYMPHEDEMA
世界の日リンパ浮腫 象皮病 / Welttag Lymphödem Elefantiasis / اليوم العالمي الوذمة اللمفية داء الفيل / ကမ္ဘာ့နေ့ ဆင်ခြေထောက်ရောဂါ / ទិវាពិភពលោក ជំងឺមហារីកកូនកណ្តុរ ជំងឺដំរី / 世界日 淋巴水腫 像皮病 / 세계의 날 림프 부종 상피병 / Verdensdagen Lymfødem Elefantiasis / Världsdagen Lymfödem Elefantiasis / Verdensdag Lymfødem Elefantiasis / Pasaules diena Limfedēma Elefantiāze / Pasaulinė diena Limfedema Dramblys / Maailmapäev Lümfödeem Elevanditõbi / Araw ng mundo Lymphedema Elephantiasis / Maailmanpäivä Lymfaödeema Elefanttiaasi / Journée mondiale Lymphœdème Éléphantiasis / Παγκόσμια ημέρα Λεμφοίδημα Ελεφαντίαση / היום העולמי פילים בצקת לימפה / hari dunia Limfedema Untut / giornata mondiale linfedema elefantiasi / Werelddag Lymfoedeem olifantenziekte / Światowy dzień Obrzęk limfatyczny Słoniowacina / Dia mundial Linfedema Elefantíase / Всемирный день Лимфедема Слоновость / วันโลก Lymphedema เท้าช้าง / dünya günü Lenfödem fil hastalığı / Ngày thế giới Phù bạch huyết Bệnh chân voi