Lymphedema warning from Dr. Hülya Yüksel: Swelling and pain can lead to serious problems

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Dr. Hülya Yüksel issued a warning regarding lymphedema, stating, "Symptoms such as swelling in the arms and legs, increased temperature, redness, or changes in the skin indicate lymphedema."

Emphasizing that the lymphatic system plays a role in both the immune system and fluid balance in the human body, Acıbadem Kayseri Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Dr. Hülya Yüksel said that any disorder in the lymphatic system could lead to lymphedema. Providing information about this process, Dr. Yüksel said, "This condition can occur as a result of the removal of lymph nodes after cancer or damage to lymph nodes following radiotherapy, or it can occur congenitally after a disorder in the lymph channels. Patients usually consult a doctor after swelling occurs in their arms and legs. They may come to us with symptoms of swelling in their legs or arms, pain, and skin infections. We first diagnose these patients and then apply treatment," she said.

'IT CAN BE CONGENITAL OR ACQUIRED'

Stating that lymphedema is divided into primary and secondary, Dr. Yüksel said, "Primary lymphedema stems from a problem caused by the inclusion of lymph flow into the circulatory system as a result of a congenital disorder of the lymph channels. It can usually be seen starting from the first year after birth up to the 30s. Primary lymphedema affects young people more."

She stated that secondary lymphedema can occur as a result of the interruption of flow in the lymph pathways due to any trauma, infection, surgical intervention, history of cancer, surgical removal of lymph nodes as a result of cancer, or shrinkage in lymph channels due to radiotherapy. Stating that secondary lymphedema can occur at any age, Dr. Yüksel said, "Usually, there is an underlying history such as surgery, trauma, or infection. Lymphedema results from the disruption of the flow in the system that ensures that large protein structures and adipose tissue formed in our body are cleared from our body and moved upwards. This can usually occur as swelling in the arms and legs, but can also occur in the neck, genital areas, and head," she said.

'IT IMPAIRS THE PATIENT'S QUALITY OF LIFE'

Stating that patients present at the diagnosis stage with swelling in one or both arms or legs, Dr. Yüksel noted that patients usually have had an infection and do not understand the cause of this swelling. Stating that symptoms such as skin changes, increased temperature, or redness seen in the patient during the examination indicate lymphedema, Dr. Yüksel added that after the examination, they make a definitive diagnosis and apply treatment by resorting to tests such as ultrasound, lymphoscintigraphy, and MRI if necessary.

Pointing out that patients' quality of life is impaired because they usually come with swelling and pain in their arms and legs, Dr. Yüksel said, "The patient becomes more susceptible to infection. Infections also further increase the swelling. In this sense, we apply complex decongestive physiotherapy to patients."

'PHYSIOTHERAPY BEGINS WITH SKIN CARE'

Noting that physiotherapy begins with skin care, Dr. Yüksel said, "Skin care is very important because it is risky in terms of infection development. Every infection experienced increases the swelling. We apply treatments such as skin care, exercise, and complex bandaging. First, we take the patients' measurements, and after applying skin care, manual lymph drainage, and complex bandaging, which we call complex decongestive physiotherapy, to the area where the patient has a diameter difference, we send the patient home with home programs." Dr. Yüksel explained that they definitely plan the patients' exercises, and after taking the patient's measurements, they recommend a compression garment for the patient to wear at home once the desired diameter difference is reached, and follow them up in this way.

News Source: İHA