WHAT IS THE PRESENT TIME GLOBAL TREND AND FOCUS ON LYMPHEDEMA? –Primary Lymphedema – Secondary Lymphedema – Lymphatic Filariasis & Podoconiosis – Best First Line Treatment – Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)

Lymphatic Dysfunction (Lymphedema) is a progressive disease of the skin, 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. Health systems must be equitable, resilient, and capable of meeting people's needs, and everyone, everywhere, deserves access to proper treatment and quality health services. Cultural factors or location are no excuse to justify nontreatment or undertreatment. Read more about which country has the best public healthcare coverage of lymphedema HERE.

Some expert papers and authors have for many years influenced and justified contributions regarding what are the best strategies (mainly low-cost alternatives) for the prevention of morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) due to lymphatic dysfunction. The present results are a highly unsuccessful global public health endeavor, because the underlying problem which is Lymphedema, has not been tackled regarding the real clinical needs surrounding disorders of the lymphatic circulation. 

International programs that seek to leave no one behind regarding universal health coverage principles, mean that people all over the globe should have easy & quick access to health care services, specialty doctors, medicines, and adequate public funds for treatment. Prevention of diseases and spreading awareness about health care is also a part of UHC (Universal Health Care). Unlocking the lymphedema/elephantiasis cycle, without resolving the fundamental principle of access to proper lymphatic dysfunction management, will not solve the problem. Read more about what is the best treatment option for lymphedema HERE.

It has been scientifically demonstrated that individuals that suffer from lymphatic dysfunction, can´t be free of disability and the disfigurement and stigma that symptoms bring, and can´t be productive and live more fulfilling lives, without access to proper treatment. Healthy people are more productive and tend to live longer, and giving individuals access to proper healthcare without the prospect of financial hardship, is a "Human Righ" inherent to the dignity of every person.

REFERENCES

(Pinch on the texts to read the following Research Articles)

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

• GERMAN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY GUIDELINE: Diagnostics and Therapy of Lymphoedema.
• THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF LYMPHOLOGY: Consensus Document.

DIAGNOSE AND TREATMENT

• CHRONIC OEDEMA/LYMPHEDEMA: Under-recognized and Under-treated
• LYMPHEDEMA: From Diagnose to Treatment
• CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LIMBS (Foldi)
• MODERN TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA. Complex Physical Therapy.
• EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF COMPLETE DECONGESTIVE THERAPY
• VISUALIZATION OF ACCESSORY LYMPHATIC PATHWAYS AFTER MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
• LYMPHATIC SYSTEM AND THE SKIN. Classification, Clinical Aspects, and Histology.
• INDICATIONS FOR MEDICAL COMPRESSION STOCKINGS IN VENOUS AND LYMPHATIC DISORDERS: An Evidence-Based Consensus Statement.

• LYMPHATIC MANAGEMENT: An International Interest between Developed and Developing Countries, Similarities, differences, and Challenges.
• CRITERIA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBINED DECONGESTIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY OF LYMPHEDEMA IN A COUNTRY
• THE RISK OF GENITAL EDEMA. External Pump Compression for Lower Limb Lymphedema
• WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EXCISIONAL SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA

INFECTIONS

• INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS OF LYMPHEDEMA
• ACUTE INFLAMMATORY EXACERBATIONS IN LYMPHEDEMA
• LYMPHEDEMATOUS AREAS: Privileged sites for Tumors, Infections, and Immune Disorders
• MALIGNANT TUMORS: As Complications of Lymphedema

PUBLIC HEALTH AND PATIENTS´ RIGHTS

• ETHICS IN CONTEMPORARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT AND MEDICAL EDUCATION
• IMPACT OF POLITICAL ECONOMY ON POPULATION HEALTH
• PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN PRACTICE
• PATIENT´S RIGHTS AND ETHICS
• CRITICAL READING OF THE STATISTICAL DATA IN SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
• MANAGING FINANCIAL CONFLICT OF INTERESTS IN RESEARCH
• CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS IN MEDICINE:  A NEVER-ENDING STORY
• POTENTIAL BENEFITS, LIMITATIONS, AND HARMS OF CLINICAL GUIDELINES

Articles that may also interest you: 
(Click on the texts)

• FOCUS ON THE TERM ELEPHANTIASIS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR LYMPHOEDEMA 

• WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO AVOID INFECTIOUS CELLULITIS AND LYMPHANGITIS IN LYMPHEDEMA 

• WHAT IS THE RISK OF DERMATOLYMPHANGIOADENITIS (INFECTIOUS CELLULITIS IN LYMPHEDEMA 

• WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION FOR ELEPHANTIASIS

• WHY IS ELEPHANTIASIS A FORGOTTEN AND NEGLECTED DISEASE

• IS THERE DISTRESS ASSOCIATED WITH UNDER-TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA - PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

• WHY IS THE WORLD NOT TREATING A TREATABLE DISEASE LIKE LYMPHEDEMA. 

• WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION FOR LYMPHEDEMA

• IS LYMPHEDEMA DISABLING - INABILITY TO WORK AND DISABILITY RECOGNITION 

• INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE CORRECT TREATMENT FOR LYMPHEDEMA

• ELEPHANTIASIS IS NOT ONLY LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS 

• CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT CHILD ELEPHANTIASIS DUE TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA 

• BEWARE OF NEW TERMINOLOGY DESCRIBING LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT

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

• FAST TRACK SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY RECOGNITION FOR CHILDREN WITH LYMPHEDEMA

• INTERMITTENT PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION (IPC) PUMP DEVICES. SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS POR LYMPHEDEMA

• BEST PRACTICE PROTOCOL GUIDE FOR LYMPHOEDEMA (in Galician)

• A LYMPHEDEMA STORY - DOCTOR KENNETH GERSHENGORN AND THE MAUREEN DIGAN CLINICAL CASE

• WHY IS A BUTTERFLY THE SYMBOL FOR LYMPHEDEMA

• LYMPHEDEMA - INTERNATIONAL DISEASE CODING AND CLASSIFICATION

• WHAT DOES INTERMITTENT PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION PUMP THERAPY (IPC) DO, AND DOES NOT DO FOR LYMPHEDEMA. 

• WHAT IS PHLEBOLYMPHEDEMA.

• IS LYMPHEDEMA PAINFUL?

• WHICH COUNTRY PROVIDES THE BEST LYMPHOEDEMA TREATMENT COVERAGE 

• WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION FOR PAEDIATRIC AND PRIMARY LYMPHOEDEMA

• SPANISH LYMPHEDEMA ASSOCIATIONS – SPANISH NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LYMPHEDEMA ASSOCIATIONS

LYMPHEDEMA INCIDENCE 
AND PREVALENCE
(click on the texts)