miércoles, 4 de mayo de 2022

WHAT IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPACT RELATED TO NON-TREATMENT OR UNDERTREATMENT IN LYMPHEDEMA? - ORGANIC 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. Read more information about psychological aspects surrounding non-treatment or undertreatment of lymphedema HERE.


Lymphedema is a progressive disfiguring and disabling disease of the skin, classified as a functional, immune, and lymphatic circulatory system disorder (Organic Lymphatic Vascular Disease). The lymphatics are an active and integrated component of the immune response, and in lymphedema, there is always an increased susceptibility to infection due to the compromised immune system, Read more about what is an Organic Impairment HERE.


Lymphedema arises when there is a disruption of the lymphatic flow (Organic Impairment), leading to the buildup of lymphatic fluid.  It is clear that no patient or their lymphedema is the same and neither is its progress. Some patients with limb lymphedema have few limitations and can easily do different degrees of physical activity, while others feel the strain, experience complications, and experience increased swelling with minimum effort.


Concerning 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. Patients who have access to antiseptic creams and antibiotic medication may notice an improvement, but these solutions do not address the underlying lymphatic dysfunction problem. In the long run, without compression therapy and garments, the condition will continue to worsen for most patients, as well as the consequent multiple psycho-social problems. Read more about the signs, symptoms, and complications of lymphoedema HERE.


Imposing patients to accept and be compliant with low-cost alternative treatment options may be questionable on ethical and "Human Rights" grounds, as many of these management options are often ineffective in reducing and maintaining edema volume, or may even have serious long-term side effects. This can in turn cause of furthermore psychological distress and, further impaired  Health-Related Quality of Life (QoL). Lymphedema is due to dysfunction of the lymphatic circulatory system (Organic Lymphatic Vascular Disease), which in most cases needs lifelong treatment. Read information about what is an Organic Impairment HERE.



IMPORTANT NOTICE 

Lymphedema is a serious chronic and progressive disease due to lymphatic dysfunction (Organic Lymphatic Vascular Disease). 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 Expert 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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