For those affected, however, it is important to continue to wear the firm compression stockings. According to a study, around 150,000 people in Austria are affected by lymphedema. This is an accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the tissue, which is caused by damage to the lymphatic system. Some forms occur in adolescence or mostly spontaneously in young women.
High level of suffering
However, so-called secondary lymphedema is particularly common as a result of medical treatment such as cancer surgery or radiation. Experts assume that 3300 new patients in this country develop lymphedema every year after cancer surgery.
Many sufferers have already gone through a long path of suffering before they received competent help, says Primar Franz Lettner, head of the Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Pyhrn-Eisenwurzen Clinic Kirchdorf Steyr: “Often the lymphedema is recognized too late or not according to the current one Treated according to scientific guidelines, so that consequential damage such as irreversible tissue hardening or repeated Rotlauf infections occur. This can massively increase swelling. “
The complex physical decongestion therapy consists of manual lymphatic drainage, compression, exercise, skin care and training. For those affected, this means complex, often difficult to finance therapies and lifelong wearing of compression stockings.
These would have to be worn consistently even in the heat. “Optimally fitting stockings exert even pressure on the area of the edema, and this helps the body to drain the resulting tissue fluid more easily,” he explains. The decongestion is supported by regular exercise.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
