Lymphedema is a swelling of a body part, most often the extremities. It can also occur in the face, neck, abdomen or genitals.
Lymphedema is the result of the abnormal accumulation of protein rich edema fluid in the affected area. Remarkably, even though it afflicts approximately 1 percent of the U.S. population (2.5 million Americans), its seriousness and the problems it creates are poorly understood in the medical community.
Lymphedema is classified as either primary or secondary. Primary lymphedema is the result of lymphatic dysphasia. It may be present at birth, but it more often develops later in life without obvious cause.
Secondary lymphedema is much more common and is the result of surgery or a side effect of radiation therapy for cancer.
Secondary forms may also occur after injury, scarring, trauma or infection of the lymphatic system.
*****Does Lyme cause infection of the lymphatic system?*****
Lymphedema has important pathological and clinical consequences. In stage I lymphedema, the swelling consists of protein-rich fluid and may become temporarily reduced by simple elevation of the limb.
If it remains untreated, however, the lymphedema causes a progressive hardening of the affected tissues, which is the result of a proliferation of connective tissue, adipose tissue and scarring (stage II lymphedema).
Stage III lymphedema is characterized by a tremendous increase in volume, hardening of the dermal tissues, hyperkaeratosis and papillomas of the skin. Infections such a cellulitis, erysipelas or lymphangitis frequently develop in those suffering from lymphedema.
Infections are most common in stage II and III lymphedema, each infection resulting in a worsening of the condition and necessitating frequent hospitalizations.
Lymphedema treatments offered in the United States are: Surgery, Medications, Pneumatic Compression Pump Therapy (Pumps), Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
A physical therapist friend noticed this condition in my family member. The photos at this website look similar to the ones in the most recent edition of Public Health Alert article about Bartonella.
See the featured article in the July 2008 issue:
Obesity: Babesia, Bartonella, Lyme and Mold Toxins Make Real Weight Loss Almost Impossible
Metastatic cancer [especially with left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy (Virchow's node) associated with abdominal malignancies, including stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, testis/ovary, kidney, and prostate cancers]
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