miércoles, 4 de mayo de 2022

WHAT IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPACT OF NONTREATMENT OR UNDERTREATMENT IN LYMPHEDEMA? - LYMPHATIC VASCULAR DISEASE – Pediatric and Primary Lymphedema – Secondary Lymphedema – Lymphatic Filariasis & Podoconiosis – Best First Line Treatment – Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) - Disease of the Skin

Psychological stress factors in Lymphedema should be taken into consideration regarding the Quality of Life (QoL) indicators of individuals. Lymphedema is not in itself a psychopathology, nor does it simply predispose individuals to poor mental health. In many cases, the negative situation of non-treatment or under-treatment of lymphedema leads to increased disease progression and, contributes to the cycle of disability, disfigurement, social stigmatization, poverty, suffering, and thus, the associated burden on the physical, economic, social, and psychological well-being of individuals.

With regard to Lymphedema due to filariasis, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the Lymphatic Filariasis Quality of Life Questionnaire (LFSQQ), to assess the perceived Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of individuals after participation in lymphedema management, should include if patients have access to proper treatment; if patients are undertreated; and also if patients have access to wearable compression garments. Individuals who have access to antiseptic creams and antibiotic medication may notice improvement, but this should not be considered a real improvement in quality of life scores, because these solutions are not tackling the underlying lymphatic dysfunction problem, and in the long run, without compression therapy and garments, the condition will continue to get worse for the majority of patients, as well as the consequent multiple psycho-social problems. Read more about the signs, symptoms, and complications of lymphoedema HERE.

The imperative placed on some patients regarding acceptance and compliance with low-cost treatment options can be questionable at an ethical and "Human Rights" level, for these management options are in many cases ineffective in reducing and maintaining the edema volume, or they can even have serious long-term side effects, which may, in turn, be the cause of furthermore psychological stress and impaired "Health-Related Quality of Life (QoL)". Read more information about psychological aspects surrounding non-treatment or undertreatment of lymphedema HERE.


IMPORTANT NOTICE 

Lymphedema is a serious chronic and progressive disease due to an organic disability. The clinical treatment of lymphedema is neither a cosmetic nor an aesthetic treatment. The treatment of lymphedema is to control its progression and alleviate the symptoms related to dysfunction of the lymphatic circulatory system. To prevent and avoid serious complications associated with treatment, such as the possible displacement of edema to previously unaffected areas when compression therapy is applied for volume reduction, patients should use highly specialized and experienced therapists. 

Professional qualification and instruction delivered remotely online are not the same as live hands-on practical instruction in the clinical training and certification of lymphedema therapists, similar to all other rehabilitation, medical, and surgical training programs, and especially for developing the necessary manual skills to treat a disease as complex as lymphedema. 

Patients should also take special care when choosing a "Multidisciplinary Center of Reference for Lymphedema", as not all countries and centers provide the same treatment options. The best choice is a center of reference that provides “Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)”, which is recognized as the “Gold Standard” treatment for lymphedema.

  • Read more about what is the best treatment option for Lymphedema HERE.
  • Read about what are the principal functions of Manual Lymphatic Drainage HERE.
  • Read about what are the main differences between the two principal lymphedema treatment protocols HERE. 
  • Read about what are the strategies for the implementation of low-cost treatment options for Lymphedema HERE.

REFERENCES

(Click on the texts to read the research articles)

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

CUTANEOUS COMPLICATIONS
INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS
CELLULITIS / DERMATOLYMPHANGIOADENITIS
TUMOURS

TREATMENT

COMPRESSION GARMENTS

DISABILITY

DISFIGUREMENT

PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT

PEDIATRIC LYMPHEDEMA

LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS / PODOCONIOSIS











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











LYMPHEDEMA INCIDENCE 
AND PREVALENCE
(click on the texts) 

















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