 |
 |
| stac used a graphics I had on my page and created this button that was the inspiration for the set, which Karen made for me. if you would support lymphedema awareness please take button and link back to here, so others might get information or help from the site or links. Thank You DonnaLee This pin and symbol of awareness is used with permission and a link back to creator..........CIRCLE OF HOPE |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Like the Lifetime Alert Bracelets ? pink--arms and green legs |
| My Reidsleeves have between 30 and 50 mmHg of mercury compression under each strap,I have 12 straps on each reidsleeve I wear. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| These are clearer pictures of sleeves and gauge to set compression |
| Lymphedema is generally a lifelong disability that frequently worsens over time. There are no effective surgical or medical treatments for this condition other then the compression. CHECK THESE LINKS BELOW FOR INFO. |
| Helpful Links www.reidsleeve.com http://www.gift-of-life.com/coping.htm http://www.healingwell.com http://www.lymphnet.org http://www.lymphaticresearch.org |
| These are compression wraps, there are several layers,more on right leg as that is my worse leg.... Wrapping consits of individual toe wraps then a cotton sleeve on the leg- a layer of foam--several layers of short stretch bandages as each layer increases the compression to reduce the lymph volumn. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The pictures below are the views that they did before and after at the Rehabilitation Center I went to for three weeks....and the results I got were about a 35% decrease in lymph volumn, what it averaged out to was a 8 lb. loss of fluid. The treatment included manual lymph drainage massages as well as a lymphatic pumping that did trunk to toes,and the plan was for me to have them for nights but at a cost of $10,000 insurance would not go for it . so till the custom garments arrive I do daily compression bandaging from toes to knees. But I would recommend this program for anyone who has a problem case of Lymphedema and your therapist doesn't know where to turn. need more info email me |
 |
| Thanks Jen for making my bear |
| Share the Dream~~Explore the Possibilities and Hope support lymphedema research |
What Is Lymphedema ? Lymphedema is a notoriously debilitating progressive condition with no known cure. The unfortunate patient faces a lifelong struggle of medical, and sometimes surgical, treatment fraught with potentially lethal complications. The underlying problem is lymphatic dysfunction, resulting in an abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid containing high molecular weight proteins. This condition underscores the tremendous importance of a normally functioning lymphatic system, which returns proteins, lipids, and accompanying water from the interstitium to the venous circulation near the subclavian vein�internal jugular vein junction, bilaterally. Are there different kinds of Lymphedema? Yes. Lymphedema can be either primary or secondary lymphedema. Primary lymphedema is usually due to either a congenital absence of, or abnormalities in, lymphatic tissue. It can be hereditary (Milroy Disease), lymphedema praecox (onset during puberty), or lymphedema tarda (onset later in life). Primary lymphedema is more prevalent in females than males. Secondary lymphedema is generally caused by an obstruction or interruption of the lymphatic system, usually caused by malignancies, infection, trauma, excision, or post-radiation fibrosis. Treatment Medical therapy: The goal of conservative therapy is to eliminate protein stagnation and restore normal lymphatic circulation. Initiate therapy as early as possible before extensive irreversible fibrosclerotic changes occur in the interstitium.These techniques are often cumbersome, uncomfortable,inconvenient,and time-consuming.Strict compliance is essential,and treatmentlasts throughout the lifetime of the individual. The majority of compliant patients can be treated successfully with conservative measures. Meticulous hygiene is necessary to remove keratinaceous debris and bacteria.Cleanse the skin regularly and dry thoroughly.Regular inspection is necessary to identify any open wounds or developing cellulitis.Bland skin moisturizers applied conservatively may ameliorate cracking and furrowing. Even with excellent skin care, chronic cellulitis may occur.At the earliest signs of infection, institute topical or systemic antifungal or antimicrobial therapy to prevent sepsis from developing.Long-term prophylactic antimicrobial treatment with agents such as penicillin, cephalexin, or erythromycin may be required in 15-25% of patients experiencing recurrent lymphangitis or cellulitis. Although relatively uncommon in this country, filariasis is treated with diethylcarbamazine. Encourage patients to lose weight,avoid even minor trauma, and avoid constrictive clothing that might have a tourniquet effect. Encourage elevation of the affected extremity whenever possible, particularly at night. For lower extremity lymphedema, this may be accomplished by elevating the foot of the bed to an appropriate level. Patients should use compression garments continuously during the day. They may be removed at night when the extremity is elevated in bed, but they should be replaced promptly each morning.To encourage compliance,the elastic compression garments must fit appropriately. Garments should be custom fit when the extremity is decompressed, they should be comfortable, and they should not have a tourniquet effect. They should also have graduated compression, increasing from distal to proximal, on the affected extremity. Intermittent pneumatic pump compression therapy may also be instituted on an outpatient basis or in the home. These manual lymphatic devices are most appropriate prior to fibrosclerotic evolution, and they assist in preventing fibrosclerotic evolution of the condition. These devices provide sequential active compression from distal to proximal, effectively milking the lymph from the extremity. In Europe, the best available nonsurgical therapy is manual lymphatic drainage according to the Vodder and/or Leduc techniques. Compression garments are essential between treatments. Contraindications to this therapy include congestive heart failure,deep vein thrombosis,and active infection. Similarly, other authors advocate manual massage of the affected extremity to recruit collateral vessels so that the accumulated lymph can be drained into neighboring regions with normally functioning lymphatics. Diuretics have no role in the treatment of lymphedema. Benzopyrenes,including flavonoids and coumarin,have become a useful adjuvant in other countries but are currently not available for clinical use in the United States. These drugs bind to accumulated interstitial proteins,inducing macrophage phagocytosis and proteolysis. The resulting protein fragments pass more readily into the venous capillaries and are removed by the vascular system. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |