What does Lymphoedema mean?
Lymphoedema (pronounced limf-oh-deema) means that you have a swelling in part of your body due to a failure in lymph drainage. This swelling will have been present for three months or longer. Sometimes people are prescribed water tablets (diuretics) but these do not change the swelling if it is lymphoedema.
Oedema (pronounced oh-deema) is from a Greek word meaning swelling and lymphoedema happens because part of the body (the lymph system) is unable to work properly. Around 100,000 people in the United Kingdom suffer from lymphoedema.
Swelling is usually in one or more of the limbs but it can be present in any part of the body.
When there is a known cause for the problem it is called a secondary lymphoedema. Secondary lymphoedema can develop after cancer treatment - although there are many other causes, such as an injury or skin infection which disturbs the lymph circulation. Sometimes secondary lymphoedema can develop when movement is restricted or if there is poor blood circulation through the veins.
In many cases, lymphoedema is not related to cancer and there may be no apparent reason why the swelling has developed. If the swelling develops because the lymph vessels are poorly formed it is called primary lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema can start at any time of life although it is more usual to develop this problem in later life. The swelling is usually mild and can be managed without too much difficulty. Sometimes it becomes more of a problem and intensive treatment from a therapist is needed. Drugs and surgery do not usually offer the best way to treat lymphoedema. Physical treatments used together on a regular basis are usually the most effective way to keep the swelling under control.
Although a lot can be done to help, there is still no cure for lymphoedema. You can learn how to do some of the treatments yourself and they will help you to control and reduce the swelling.