miércoles, 3 de marzo de 2021

WORLD ELEPHANTIASIS DAY 2021 – Lymphostatic Elephantiasis - Lymphatic Filariasis & Podoconiosis - Pediatric & Primary Lymphoedema - Secondary Lymphoedema - Rare Disease - Awareness Day Campaign

A DAY FOR VINDICATION, MARCH 12, WORLD ELEPHANTIASIS DAY

March is the month not only to highlight lymphedema, but also for people living and suffering from elephantiasis, also known as Stage-III lymphedema. The elephantiasis stage is one of the world's most disabling and disfiguring conditions, as well as life-threatening due to serious complications and infections.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from lymphatic dysfunction, either due to Primary Lymphedema (a rare genetic disease), or Secondary Lymphedema as a consequence of surgery, trauma, cancer, radiation, infection, chronic venous insufficiency, podoconiosis, filariasis, etc.

Concerning lymphatic filariasis, it is recognized that in many cases and in endemic countries, the disease is acquired for the first time in childhood, often up to a third of children are infected before the age of 5 years. This fact requires urgent awareness and involvement by international organizations and national health systems, by promoting prevention campaigns, and investment in the resources needed for the adequate management of lymphedema in children.

Reaching the elephantiasis stage can be prevented in most cases if the underlying cause, which is lymphedema, is treated in its early stages. Access to the combination of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and compression garments is a safe and effective means to reduce and prevent the progression of mild lymphedema to more severe stages. Read more about what is the best treatment for elephantiasis 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 only means 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. 

The early treatment of lymphedema is the cornerstone to prevent and reduce the incidence of dermatolymphangioadenitis (infectious cellulitis) and lymphangitis, which can be causes of the subsequent worsening of the condition. Radical recession surgery aimed at removing subcutaneous tissue should be the last option. Alternative "low-cost" therapies without Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), can cause displacement of edema (genital edema in lower limbs). Read more about Dermatolymphangioadenitis (DLA) in Lymphedema  HERE.  

Lymphostatic elephantiasis is not only a condition found in poor and developing countries, but can also be found in high-tech European and Western nations. Lymphedema is a major public health problem, and it is necessary to raise awareness among governments and international organizations that access to good treatment should be a global priority. Up to 10 million North Americans could be affected by lymphedema and it is estimated that more than 250 million people worldwide. People of all ages including children suffer from this disease.

International awareness campaigns are needed for access to adequate therapies and compression garments for patients diagnosed with chronic lymphedema. People with lymphedema must have access to continuous care throughout their lives, both to prevent progression to the most advanced stages of disfigurement and disability, as well as very serious infections such as dermatolymphangioadenitis (DLA) and sepsis, among others.



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



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