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Lymphedema (Lymph Obstruction), A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions
Lymphedema (Lymph Obstruction), A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions
Lymphedema (Lymph Obstruction), A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions
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Lymphedema (Lymph Obstruction), A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

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Lymphedema is a chronic medical condition that produces excessive collection of fluid in the leg, trunk or body part, due to abnormalities of the normal lymph flow.
The abnormal lymph flow is mainly due to the excision of the lymph nodes during surgery for cancer and radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
If the patient has gone through radiotherapy or surgical excision of lymph nodes, the patient may be at danger of forming lymphedema.
It may be useful to find out from the doctor which lymph nodes have been excised during the surgery and which lymphatic vessels of the body have been treated by radiotherapy.
Lymphedema is a chronic (long-term) condition that induces swelling in the body's tissues.
It can involve any part of the body, but normally forms in the arms or legs.
Other symptoms of lymphedema can be an aching, heavy feeling in affected body parts and difficulty moving them.
Lymphedema is the result of collection of lymphatic fluids in the body.
It can induce an arm, leg, or other area of the body to swell and become painful.
The disorder is normally lifetime.There is no cure.
There are two main types of lymphedema:
1. Primary lymphedema – caused by faulty genes affecting the development of the lymphatic system; it can form at any age, but normally happens in early adulthood
2. Secondary lymphedema – caused by damage to the lymphatic system or obstruction with the movement and drainage of fluid in the lymphatic system, often due to an infection, injury, cancer treatment, inflammation of the limb or a lack of limb movement
An infection causing lymphedema is a parasitic infection called filariasis.
The recommended treatment for lymphedema is decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT).
DLT is not a permanent treatment for lymphedema, but it can help regulate the symptoms by:
1. Compression bandages and garments – to transfer fluid out of the affected limb and minimize further build-up
2. Skin care – to maintain the skin in good condition and decrease the chances of infection
3. Exercises – to use muscles in the affected limb to enhance lymph drainage
4. Specialized massage techniques – known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) – to stimulate the movement of fluid in the lymphatic system and decrease swelling
In a small number of cases, surgery may be used to treat lymphedema by:
1. The removal of sections of excess skin and underlying tissue (debulking)
2. The removal of fat from the affected limb (liposuction)
3. The restoration of the flow of fluid around the affected section of the lymphatic system – for example, by connecting the lymphatic system to nearby blood vessels (lymphaticovenular anastomosis)

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Lymphedema
Chapter 2 Causes
Chapter 3 Symptoms
Chapter 4 Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Treatment
Chapter 6 Prognosis
Chapter 7 Breast Cancer
Chapter 8 Filariasis
Epilogue

LanguageEnglish
PublisherKenneth Kee
Release dateOct 9, 2016
ISBN9781370681273
Lymphedema (Lymph Obstruction), A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions
Author

Kenneth Kee

Medical doctor since 1972.Started Kee Clinic in 1974 at 15 Holland Dr #03-102, relocated to 36 Holland Dr #01-10 in 2009.Did my M.Sc (Health Management ) in 1991 and Ph.D (Healthcare Administration) in 1993.Dr Kenneth Kee is still working as a family doctor at the age of 74However he has reduced his consultation hours to 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours inthe afternoon.He first started writing free blogs on medical disorders seen in the clinic in 2007 on http://kennethkee.blogspot.com.His purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of his patients which is also his dissertation for his Ph.D (Healthcare Administration). He then wrote an autobiography account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.comThis autobiography account “A Family Doctor’s Tale” was combined with his early “A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders” into a new Wordpress Blog “A Family Doctor’s Tale” on http://ken-med.com.From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 1000 eBooks.He apologized for typos and spelling mistakes in his earlier books.He will endeavor to improve the writing in futures.Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.The later books go into more details of medical disorders.He has published 1000 eBooks on various subjects on health, 1 autobiography of his medical journey, another on the autobiography of a Cancer survivor, 2 children stories and one how to study for his nephew and grand-daughter.The purpose of these simple guides is to educate patient on health disorders and not meant as textbooks.He does not do any night duty since 2000 ever since Dr Tan had his second stroke.His clinic is now relocated to the Buona Vista Community Centre.The 2 units of his original clinic are being demolished to make way for a new Shopping Mall.He is now doing some blogging and internet surfing (bulletin boards since the 1980's) startingwith the Apple computer and going to PC.The entire PC is upgraded by himself from XT to the present Pentium duo core.The present Intel i7 CPU is out of reach at the moment because the CPU is still expensive.He is also into DIY changing his own toilet cistern and other electric appliance.His hunger for knowledge has not abated and he is a lifelong learner.The children have all grown up and there are 2 grandchildren who are even more technically advanced than the grandfather where mobile phones are concerned.This book is taken from some of the many articles in his blog (now with 740 posts) A Family Doctor’s Tale.Dr Kee is the author of:"A Family Doctor's Tale""Life Lessons Learned From The Study And Practice Of Medicine""Case Notes From A Family Doctor"

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    it is fantastic to get the details of the disease from a well known experienced doctor.
    he has elaborated nicely for a layman like me to understand the complications of the patient.
    after reading, one could understand the patient's plight,and try to help him and make him at ease. thanks a lot....from my heart...now i can take care of my wife very well and help her in her worst moments....thanks once again sir.

Book preview

Lymphedema (Lymph Obstruction), A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions - Kenneth Kee

Lymphedema

(Lymph Obstruction),

A

Simple

Guide

To

The Condition,

Diagnosis,

Treatment

And

Related Conditions

By

Dr Kenneth Kee

M.B.,B.S. (Singapore)

Ph.D (Healthcare Administration)

Copyright Kenneth Kee 2016 Smashwords Edition

Published by Kenneth Kee at Smashwords.com

Dedication

This book is dedicated

To my wife Dorothy

And my children

Carolyn, Grace

And Kelvin

This book describes the Lymphedema, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases which is seen in some of my patients in my Family Clinic.

(What You Need to Treat Lymphedema)

This eBook is licensed for the personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Introduction

I have been writing medical articles for my blog http://kennethkee.blogspot.com (A Simple Guide to Medical Condition) for the benefit of my patients since 2007.

My purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of my patients.

Health Education was also my dissertation for my Ph.D (Healthcare Administration).

I then wrote an autobiolographical account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.com.

This autobiolographical account A Family Doctor’s Tale was combined with my early A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions into a new Wordpress Blog A Family Doctor’s Tale on http://kenmed.wordpress.com.

From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 700 amazon kindle books and some into Smashwords.com eBooks.

Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.

For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.

The later books go into more details of medical conditions.

The first chapter is always from my earlier blogs which unfortunately tends to have typos and spelling mistakes.

Since 2013, I have tried to improve my spelling and writing.

As I tried to bring you the latest information about a condition or illness by reading the latest journals both online and offline, I find that I am learning more and improving on my own medical knowledge in diagnosis and treatment for my patients.

Just by writing all these simple guides I find that I have learned a lot from your reviews (good or bad), criticism and advice.

I am sorry for the repetitions in these simple guides as the second chapters onwards have new information as compared to my first chapter taken from my blog.

I also find repetition definitely help me and maybe some readers to remember the facts in the books more easily.

I apologize if these repetitions are irritating to some readers.

Chapter 1

Lymphedema

Lymphedema of the upper arm is very common after a mastectomy for breast cancer that can be heavy and uncomfortable for the patient especially when it occurs on their predominant arm.

It would also appear unsightly.

Lifting of the arm is also difficult.

What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a chronic medical condition that produces excessive collection of fluid in the leg, trunk or body part, due to abnormalities of the normal lymph flow.

The abnormal lymph flow is mainly due to the excision of the lymph nodes during surgery for cancer and radiotherapy for cancer treatment.

If the patient has gone through radiotherapy or surgical excision of lymph nodes, the patient may be at danger of forming lymphedema.

It may be useful to find out from the doctor which lymph nodes have been excised during the surgery and which lymphatic vessels of the body have been treated by radiotherapy.

Lymphedema is a chronic (long-term) condition that induces swelling in the body's tissues.

It can involve any part of the body, but normally forms in the arms or legs.

Other symptoms of lymphedema can be an aching, heavy feeling in affected body parts and difficulty moving them.

Lymphedema can become worse if it is not treated, so the patient should speak to a doctor if the patient thinks the patient may have the condition.

Lymphedema is the result of collection of lymphatic fluids in the body.

It can induce an arm, leg, or other area of the body to swell and become painful.

The disorder is normally lifetime.

The patient can decrease this danger with these precautions and advice:

1. The skin should be kept clean, supple and moisturized.

2. Affected areas should be dried and washed thoroughly.

The patient may require a hair dryer for to dry certain areas like the skin folds and between toes

3. The underclothes should be regularly washed.

4. Any injuries to the leg should be avoided, such as cuts, insect bites, bruises, and knocks.

5. Sunburn should be avoided by using protective clothing and a sunscreen (SPF 15 or more).

6. Exposure to extreme heat should be avoided (such as use of heat packs applied locally, sauna, steam rooms, hot and humid weather.

7. The leg must not be used for injection or acupuncture, drips or having blood samples taken.

8. Removal of hair from the leg should only be done using a well-maintained electric razor.

9. Blade razors, creams and waxing increase the danger of cuts and redness of the skin.

10. If travelling by air, a compression garment must be used.

This also applies to long bus, train and car journeys.

11. Tight clothing should be avoided.

No redness or indentation should be visible on removal of clothing.

12. Constrictive jewelry should be avoided.

No redness or indentation should be visible on removal of jewelry.

13. Prolonged standing and high heels should be avoided.

When the patient has to stand, walk in short bursts to increase lymph flow.

14. Muscle fatigue during exercise and vigorous massage should be avoided.

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