About lymphoedema

Lymphoedema means swelling of an area of the body usually accompanied with a feeling of heaviness, aching, weakness and decrease in range of movement. It can have a significant impact on someone quality of life and their personal ability to care about themselves, the family and work.
Lymphoedema  is a long term, chronic condition and can be due to a genetic malformation of the lymphatic system also called primary lymphoedema or it can be secondary to another condition.

Major causes of secondary lymphoedema

• Surgery and/or radiation treatment of the lymphatic nodes associated with cancer  management such as mastectomy or lumpectomy are the most common cause for lymphoedema in our Western society. Lymphoedema may also occur in the lower limbs or groin after surgery for colon, ovarian or uterine cancer with removal of lymph nodes.
• Some lower-limb lymphoedema have been associated with vascular abnormality and also the use of some medication such as those used for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or breast cancer
• Filariasis is the most common source of lymphoedema in the world and is most prevalent in tropical regions such as India, Africa Southeast Asia. It affects women more than men and results from the exposure to multiple bites from infected mosquitoes.
• Obesity can inhibit the venous blood return from the lower extremities and increase the risk of venous disorders. With more tissue to drain, obesity may be a predisposing factor for lymphoedema because despite the increase in weight and body size, the number of lymph capillaries and vessels does not increase.

To download our brochure on lymphoedema, click here