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6 Things You May Not Know About Lymphedema

Causes of Lymphatic Dysfunction

  1. Lymph node removal for cancer treatment
  2. Injury to lymphatic vessels due to trauma or infection
  3. Venous insufficiency, causing overload of lymphatic vessels
  4. Congenital malformation of lymphatics

01

Lymphedema is chronic swelling caused by build-up of fluid that occurs when the lymphatic system is either faulty or damaged.

02

An estimated 3-5 million Americans suffer from lymphedema — including many that are undiagnosed or under-treated.

03

Most physicians in the United States are taught about the lymphatic system for 1 hour or less during their 4 years of medical school training.

04

There is no known cure for lymphedema, but it can be effectively treated. Compression therapy is the most critical component of treatment. Without it, patients are at increased risk for complications and disability.

05

Medicare, and many private insurance policies do NOT cover compression garments, wraps, or bandages — the supplies needed for compression therapy.

06

The Lymphedema Treatment Act is a bill, currently in Congress, that aims to improve insurance coverage for compression supplies, allowing lymphedema patients to maintain a healthy and productive life.

Source

6 Things You May Not Know About Lymphedema. LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org, lymphedematreatmentact.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Lymphedema-Treatment-Act-HR930_S497.pdf.

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