Due to lack of public awareness and medical provider education, patients suffering from Lymphedema often go undiagnosed, and once they are diagnosed, they are still frequently unable to access care because of the not so pocket-friendly doctor-prescribed compression garments and devices. Compression for Lymphedema is what medication is for many other diseases – indispensable. At Medicircle, through the Lymphedema Series, we aim to create knowledge on the subject directly through the experts so that people get a much transparent view about the condition.

Dr. Santosh Tiwari is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Patparganj New Delhi. Also, he is a Member of Royal College of Surgeons in England.

Prompt Action can Cure Lymphedema

Dr. Santosh says, “The surgery has a very optimum and a very pivotal role in curing lymphedema. But of course, the surgery should happen before the lymphedema advances or it shows the secondary changes in the leg or in the affected part. If the damage is not done that much far enough, you can bail the patient out up to a maximum percentage level and restore the normal function. Prompt action can cure it up to a maximum level.”

Dietary Changes Required

Dr. Santosh expresses, “Patient with Lymphedema should be careful with their fat content in the body. Here are some of the Dietary changes required:

Patient of Lymphedema has to make his Diet in a very well-balanced manner. So that the adequate number of calories are there in the diet. 

Patient should also take adequate amount of fluid. 

Patients should have a low Sodium diet as it is recommended by many of the physicians and the surgeons. Because Sodium has got a more potential to keep water inside the body and there will be retention of the water. 

Patient should have a control weight because if weight is under control, body fat also goes down.”

Dr. Santosh adds, “Lymphedema can be Primary as well as Secondary type. Lymphedema which have a Hereditary pattern (transfer from Parents to Children) can occur at various stages of life are the Primary ones.”

Early Diagnosis is Very Important

Dr. Santosh stresses, “The type of Lymphedema, the patient is having and the stage at which lymphedema has been presented is very important. If the damage has done so far that the lymph cells cannot be replenished or there cannot be any lymph venous channel creation, this can lead to drainage of the lymph. All the damages are because of the imbalance of the lymphatics in the body, the amount of lymph production and lymph produced to be cleared upon. Most important part is the transport of the lymph in the body. So of course, If patient is there at earlier stages, it can be cured up to almost permanent basis. But if you have secondary disease like malignancy associated with it, then of course it is Uncurable.”

(Edited by Renu Gupta)