Lymphedema Symptoms

Living with Lymphedema Symptoms

One must understand what lymphadema is, the function of the lymph system, and lymphedema symptoms. The function of the lymphatic system is to transport excess fluid from the body through their many lymph vessels. Fluid will build up outside of the blood vessels with water, unwanted protein and other substances. This fluid is called lymph fluid. When an area of our body is injured, or surgery has been done, then the lymph will increase in that area. Swelling is natural, and is called edema. This problem is only temporary. When the lymph system becomes blocked, and fails to drain then proteins can rise to high levels causing serious concern. When this happens to a person who is healing, their healing process is slower, as the edema blocks oxygen in the surrounding tissue. The person is now at risk for an infection, because of the warm tissue combined with the protein. Lymphedema can occur anywhere in the body, including vital organs, and affect infants to geriatrics. It can plague a person for several years without any increased side effects. But, if it happens to become severe then it can be life threatening. Lymphedema is more common in females.

Lymphedema Symptoms – Primary Lymphedema

Lymphedema symptoms-primary lymphedema is a congenital defect of the lymph system. When primary is added, the meaning changes somewhat, and means original or first, otherwise at birth. Cases of primary lymphedema, relates to certain birth abnormalities present, and symptoms, in either case are obvious of the condition. Congenital lymphedema symptoms can be found through the whole body.

Lymphedema Symptoms Swelling

Lymphedema symptoms swelling occurs when increased lymph accumulates in the tissue in an area of the body, and the lymph system cannot remove it all. This can happen when there is an injury, or surgical procedure done. Many people diagnosed with cancer, sometimes require lymph nodes be removed, if they are cancerous. This person will have chronic edema in that site for the rest of their life.

Lymphedema symptoms swelling limb, is noticed when the person’s clothing is tight, such as socks, and pants worn on the body. If a limb is affected, such as a leg swelling or arm, the skin stretches and causes a feeling of tightness. The leg or arm will be hard to lift, causing a decrease in mobility.
Lymphedema symptoms swelling infection can occur when the lymph system cannot remove all of the lymph from the body. The person may notice the development of skin warmth, and redness to the skin. Pain at the site and fever will develop. If the limb continues to swell, the skin may weep a clear fluid, and at times some blood. The area can become crusty if good hygiene is not used to the area at least twice a day.

Lymphadema Symptoms Breast Cancer

Lymphadema symptoms breast cancer are present when individuals, especially women, have undergone breast cancer surgery with a combined axillary lymph node removal, is having radiation treatments and or cancer treatments. This occurs when there is a blockage of the lymphatic tissue, due to an excess of fluid that the lymph system cannot get rid of. When the lymph nodes are removed, the person will experience swelling of the shoulders, chest, arms, fingers, legs and feet. They will have a prickling sensation of the affected extremities. The person may complain of their limbs feeling heavy. They can experience increased weight gain.

Lymphatic Symptoms Arm

Lymphatic symptoms in the arm can occur from a number of factors, such as cancer, and cancer treatments, breast surgery, any kind of shoulder, or arm surgery. People who have kidney failure, and have had a stent placed in their arm for hem dialysis, will develop a swollen and sometimes painful arm. The skin will become hard and yellow in color. Mobility in the arm will be decreased.

Lymphedema Symptoms Leg

Lymphedema symptoms in the leg can occur when someone has had the lymph nodes removed in the groin due to a cancer diagnosis, radiation or cancer treatment. The person will have swelling in the leg, including the foot and toes. The leg will feel heavy and ache and the skin will feel tight. The skin becomes hard and thick. There can be a very mild mobility deficit to inability to move the leg.

Lymphedema Symptoms Treatment

The lymphedema treatment includes: management of lymphedema symptoms by controlling pain and swelling by elevation of the affected limb. Compression arm sleeves or stockings may be ordered by the doctor, to get fluid moving through the extremity. If the person has an infection then an antibiotic and probably a medicated skin treatment may be needed. Exercises are helpful. Massage therapy, to get fluid out of the area may be done. Pneumatic compression may be used. A sleeve is applied over the extremity. This sleeve inflates and deflates, massaging the fluid from the extremity.

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To improve health quickly and control lymphedema symptoms, closely follow your doctor’s advice for a healthy lymph system.

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