India
A 23-year-old member asked:
how do physicians treat lymphedema?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Morris Westfriedanswered
Dermatology 46 years experience
Compression: It is treated with a pump, compression with support hose. Internist may try water pills with some effect. I have found enzymes helpful in realist cases such as bromelain, a pineapple enzyme 3-6 a da in divided doses 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Todd Sistoanswered
Breast Surgery 37 years experience
Many ways, none of: Of which work very well: compression garments, elevation, massage & if those alone don't help, sequential compression device that milks fluid towards the heart. Various surgeries have had limited success. A radical procedure procedure-sistrunk- removes 50% of the circumference of subcu fat, where the excess fluid "lives", in 2 stages.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. George Klauber commented
Specializes in Pediatric Urology
Try and avoid surgery. I have seen a number of horrendous results in patients who wished they had never consented.
Mar 2, 2012


A Verified Doctoranswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
Decongestion: The mainstay is decongestive therapy. This includes wearing elastic compression stockings, using non-elastic circ-aid garments, sequential compression devices, lymphatic drainage/massage, diet and exercise. Going to a lymphedema clinic is helpful if you have one close. A great source of info is www.Lymphnet.Org.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 22-year-old member asked:
Is lymphedema common?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. Morris Westfriedanswered
Dermatology 46 years experience
No: It can occur after surgery which affects the lymph nodes in a arm or leg. It is more common bilaterally in older women. It is seen in overweight inscribe people. Movement is important to cause the muscles to move the fluid out of the legs.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Can lymphedema be fatal?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Morris Westfriedanswered
Dermatology 46 years experience
Rarely: It is impossible to give a specific answer. It would depend on what other conditions coexist with the lymphedema. Severe lymphedema could coexist with cardiovascular disease, diabetes etc. In severe caeses, ulceration , infection can occur and lymphedema can become permanent.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Will restricted clothing work to treat lymphedema?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mike Mooreanswered
Family Medicine 8 years experience
Yes: Doctors often use specially constructed, restrictive, very tight clothing to treat lymphedema of the legs or arms. This is a common treatment for this condition.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
What causes lymphedema?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
LymphaticObstruction: The most common cause of lymphedema is removal of lymph nodes (lns) as part of breast cancer surgery. When combined with radiation therapy, lymphedema may develop in as many as 25% of patients. Over the past decade, a less invasive technique for ln evaluation, called sentinel ln biopsy, has reduced this rate down to less than 5%.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 44-year-old member asked:
Which parasite causes lymphedema?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Zadehanswered
General Surgery 17 years experience
Wuchereria Bancrofti: Wuchereria bancrofti is the parasite which causes filariasis, which is the most common cause of lymphedema worldwide. The disease originates in mosquitoes which transfer the parasites to humans, leading to blockage of the lymphatic system. It is commonly found in the tropics and sub-tropics of africa, asia, the western pacific, and parts of central and south america.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Dec 31, 2017
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