Lymphedema (elephant disease) is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the intercellular tissue, causing swelling mostly in the arms or legs, sometimes in the trunk. The fluids between the cells are filtered and mixed into the blood. The system that performs this task is called the lymphatic system and the fluid carried in this system is called lymph fluid. A normal person has lymph fluid equal to one quarter of his body weight. The movement of lymph fluid is provided by the pressure of skeletal muscles and respiratory movements. Lymph movement is quite slow compared to blood. Because there is no pump like the heart that puts pressure on the lymph system. If the lymph channels and lymph nodes that carry lymph fluid are damaged or have congenital defects, lymph fluid accumulates in the body. If the amount of fluid accumulated in an area is greater than the carrying capacity of the lymphatic system, lymphedema occurs.
4 Stages of Complex Excretory Physiotherapy
- Skin with hygiene and topical products care.
- Manual Lymph Drainage, MLD: Manual lymph drainage involves special manual movements that discharge and recompress the lymphatic pathways. Physiotherapists who apply this have received special training on this subject.
- lymphedema
1-Compression: Following MLD Compression therapy is applied to the arms and legs with bandages specially produced for the treatment of lymphedema. The pressure regulation of these bandages is very important. At the end of the treatment period, when the arm reaches a normal or near-normal condition, the patient is given a compression stocking (protection phase).
2-Exercise: While the patient is wrapped in a bandage. The exercises to be given make the structure we call the muscle-joint pump more effective, allowing the lymph fluid to drain faster. The patient should do the appropriate exercises given by his physiotherapist at regular intervals during the day, without getting too tired.
The treatment process is divided into two:
Care and protection of the limb at risk of lymphedema and with lymphedema is very important. In order for the success of the treatment to continue after the treatment, the patient should pay attention to the following points:
- Skin care is extremely important. The skin should be kept clean and dried thoroughly, and moisturizers that do not contain chemical substances should be used.
- Cuts, cat-dog scratches, and blows are situations that should be avoided as they will lead to infection and damage to the lymphatic pathways.
- Patients with lymphedema should be treated with hot water. People should be careful to stay away from hot spring water and sunbathing, on the contrary, they should be careful to keep the edematous arm cold.
- Repeated, tiring movements should be avoided.
- Overweight, unbalanced nutrition, insufficient or excessive exercise, exposure of the limb to excessive heat. Staying, traveling, carrying heavy things, squeezing the affected arm or leg (e.g. blood pressure measurement, tight watch, tight clothes) triggers and increases lymphedema.
- Manicure and injections should not be performed on the affected arm.
- Care should be taken not to cut the skin while cutting the nails
- Razors should not be used, unwanted hair should be removed with the help of a razor
- Gloves should be worn to protect against cuts when working in the kitchen or garden. >
- Sunburn should be avoided.
- The most ideal sports are swimming and walking.
- Bra, underwear, other clothes and jewelry should not be tight. The redness caused by these clothes on the skin means that lymph circulation is blocked.
- Blood pressure should not be measured in the affected arm.
- Due to the pressure drop during air travel, arm stockings and compression bandages must be used.
- Excessive salt should not be used and plenty of water should be drunk.
It should not be forgotten that if the swollen limb becomes normal or close to normal with treatment, the situation may recur if care is not taken.
Read: 0
