sábado, 22 de febrero de 2020

WORLD ELEPHANTIASIS DAY 2020 - MARCH 12 - Advanced lymphedema Stage - Lymphostatic Elephantiasis - Lymphatic Filariasis & Podoconiosis - Pediatric & Primary Lymphoedema - Secondary Lymphoedema - Rare Disease - Awareness Day Campaign

A DAY FOR VINDICATION, MARCH 12, WORLD ELEPHANTIASIS DAY


World Elephantiasis Day is celebrated annually on March 12 to raise awareness about the most severe form of lymphedema (Stage III), including its causes, signs, symptoms, complications, prevention, and treatment options. March is also Lymphedema Awareness Month, which includes both Primary Lymphedema (a genetic condition) and Secondary Lymphedema (caused by various factors such as surgery, radiation, infection, insects, etc.). Read about the myths and facts of elephantiasis HERE.


In specialized medical and scientific literature, the term elephantiasis refers to the most severe degree of lymphatic dysfunction, both in Primary Lymphedema and Secondary Lymphedema caused by different factors. Some organizations have been mistakenly using the term elephantiasis as if it were a synonymous with lymphatic filariasis. It should be noted that most people who suffer from lymphatic filariasis (Secondary Lymphedema) and have access to adequate treatment do not inevitably progress to the stage of elephantiasis, since elephantiasis can be prevented by treating lymphedema in its early stages with appropriate treatment. It is therefore incorrect to use the term elephantiasis as a synonym to refer exclusively to lymphatic filariasis, nor is it correct to say that all lymphatic filariasis is, or ends up being, elephantiasis.


Lymphedema (Organic Lymphatic Vascular Disease) is due to impaired lymphatic drainage resulting in skin disease, characterized by persistent and progressive swelling, and abnormal thickening of the skin and subcutaneous connective tissue. Lymphedema is not just a localized swelling problem, but a condition that can affect multiple body systems, structures and functions, leading to a range of physical, physiological and psychosocial symptoms and complications. Read about the symptoms and complications of lymphedema HERE.





WHAT IS ELEPHANTIASIS - MYTHS AND FACTS



Lymphatic dysfunction (Organic impairment) is not a rare disease but a major public health problem, and it is necessary to sensitize governments and international health organizations, that access to treatment for lymphedema and lymphatic diseases should be a global priority. Up to 10 million Americans may be affected by lymphoedema, and it's estimated that over 250 million people worldwide suffer from the disease, creating pain, swelling, disability, and suffering for patients of all ages, including children. The only way to avoid elephantiasis (Stage III lymphedema) is to provide early lymphatic therapy and compression garments necessary for lymphatic disorders. Read more about why the world is not treating a treatable disease like elephantiasis HERE.




WHAT IS LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS AND PODOCONIOSIS?



Lymphatic Elephantiasis is one of the world's most disfiguring, disabling, and life-threatening conditions, and is nearly always the result of non-treatment or undertreatment of lymphedema. There is a safe and effective treatment for lymphatic dysfunction, which helps to stop the progression of the disease towards its severe late stages. The best treatment for lymphedema is COMPLETE DECONGESTIVE THERAPY (CDT), which is considered the “Gold Standard” conservative treatment. This specialized treatment consists of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and multi-layered bandage wrapping conducted by specialized lymphedema therapists, as well as other components such as skin care, diet, and exercises. 


The conservative treatment is indicated for all edema stages including Stage III, and as a preventive treatment that will avoid the initial progression toward the elephantiasis stage. Radical reductive ablative surgery, aimed to remove subcutaneous tissue, should always be the last option, for it is associated with possible significant blood loss, morbidity, infections, permanent disfigurement, and recurrence of symptoms.
The elephantiasis stage is preventable in the majority of cases, if the underlying cause which is lymphedema, is treated in its initial stages. In the case of lymphatic filariasis (Secondary Lymphedema), 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 of this likewise childhood illness. The cornerstone for the PREVENTION of the elephantiasis stage is lymphatic therapy and compression treatment of initial mild lymphedema, which will reduce the incidence of dermatolymphangioadenitis (infectious cellulitis) and Lymphangitis, which are the causes of the subsequent worsening of the condition. Read more about dermatolymphangioadentitis (DLA) in lymphedema HERE.



Apart from the patient daily basic self-care needed, consisting of washing limbs and skin moisturizing, they also need to wear compression garments throughout the day. Without compression garments, it is impossible to stop the progression of lymphatic edema. The daily use of standard bandages is not practical, for they tend to loosen and slip off when undertaking work that requires continuous physical activity, and likewise, soiled bandages can also be an important source of infection. Wearable compression garments are the best option by which a person can carry out their daily activities. Basic self-care alone without compression is not enough by itself to control the disease, and will not stop the progression towards the elephantiasis stage. Read more about the best treatment for elephantiasis HERE. 


Compression alone without Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) for the Initial Reduction Phase I, can cause displacement of lymph to other previously non-affected areas, which  in the case of lower limbs can cause Genital Edema. People with lymphedema need access to specialized care throughout their lives, both to manage the disease and to prevent progression to more advanced stages such as elephantiasis. Read more about the principal functions of Manual Lymphatic Drainage HERE


March 12 is the date to remember all those people living with Primary and Secondary Lymphedema in its most severe stage "Elephantiasis". No one should be allowed to progress to this stage of severity due to lack of treatment or undetreatment, as elephantiasis can be prevented in most cases by treating lymphedema in its early stages with appropriate treatment.



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 the best treatment option for Lymphedema HERE.
  • Read about the principal functions of Manual Lymphatic Drainage HERE.
  • Read about the differences between the two principal lymphedema treatment protocols HERE. 
  • Read about 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



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

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









































.



Publicado en www.LinfedemaGalicia.com. El texto puede estar sujeto a derechos de autor.
Publicado por Asociación Galega de Linfedema el
Print this post
Copyright © 2006 -
DISCLAIMER
This website is intended to provide general information only and, as such, should not be considered as a substitute for advice, medically or otherwise, covering any specific situation. Users should seek appropriate advice before taking or refraining from taking any action in reliance on any information contained in this website. So far as permissible by law, AGL (Asociación Galega de Linfedema) does not accept any liability to any person relating to the use of any information contained in this website.
Whilst AGL has taken every precaution in compiling this website, neither it, nor any contributor(s) to this website can be held responsible for any action (or the lack thereof) taken by any person or organisation wherever they shall be based, as a result, direct or otherwise, of information contained in, or accessed through, this website.
AVISO LEGAL
Este sitio web está destinado a proporcionar únicamente información general y, como tal, no debe considerarse como un sustituto del asesoramiento, tanto médico o de otro tipo, cubriendo así cualquier situación específica. Los usuarios deben buscar el asesoramiento adecuado antes de tomar o abstenerse de tomar cualquier medida basándose en la información contenida en este sitio web. En la medida en que lo permita la ley, AGL (Asociación Galega de Linfedema) no acepta responsabilidad alguna hacia cualquier persona en relación con el uso de toda información contenida en este sitio web. Si bien AGL ha tomado todas las precauciones para compilar este sitio web, ni AGL ni ningún colaborador de este sitio web pueden ser considerados responsables de cualquier acción (o la falta de ella) tomada por cualquier persona u organización sea cual sea su localización geográfica, como resultado, directa o indirectamente, de la información contenida en este sitio web, o al que se accede a través de este.
Parte de la información disponible en ésta Página web es propiedad de la AGL-Asociación Galega de Linfedema. Sólo se puede hacer uso de ella con permiso expreso de la AGL y haciendo mención a esta web mediante un link. AGL-Asociación Galega de Linfedema se reserva los derechos de reproducción de la información en ella disponible. Esta página se creó en marzo de 2010, como actualizacion de la web generada en 2006 http://gweb.e.telefonica.net/ .