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As soon as you start noticing symptoms, searching for the right lymphedema treatment is going to become a real priority. While working to treat cancer, this tends to be one of the negative side effects that should be addressed with a physician. There are some things that can be done at home to reduce the fluid and put pressure on the area, in severe cases, a patient might need to consider a surgical procedure to address the problem. General Exercise and Wrapping the Area The first option for lymphedema treatment is to handle the situation at home. There are certain exercises that a woman can do to help move the fluid from the affected area and push it back towards the body. The goal is not to push the body too hard or repeat the movements until it becomes difficult to maneuver around. Instead, they are simple activities to help with the fluid buildup. Sometimes wrapping the area with a bandage will work as a lymphedema treatment option. The goal is to wrap the arm or the leg in a bandage without it being too tight or too loose. This is often a tough balance to achieve and it helps to have a physician or physical therapist available to help a patient figure out just the right pressure. Then she will be able to repeat the process at home. Just like exercises, wrapping the area serves to move the fluid out of the limb. Compression If a patient is not responding to these options, it is time to take the lymphedema treatment to the next level with compression. Pneumatic compression requires a sleeve that is placed over the limb. At certain intervals the sleeve becomes inflated and works to push the fluid back into the body. As the swelling goes down, the patient experiences relief from the pressure. Compression garments are another way to keep pressure on the limb. If one of the above options has been successful, it is not unusual for a doctor to suggest wearing some type of compression garment to prevent the swelling from reoccurring. These activities and products can be combined to deliver the best results but they are not always the perfect solution. There are patients that require a more aggressive lymphedema treatment that requires the help of a surgeon. If the swelling is severe enough, the limb may need to be manually drained by the surgeon. As of late, doctors have also been moving lymph nodes from one area of the body to another in order to help flush out the fluids. If you have concerns about fluid build up, especially after any type of procedure involving cancer, make sure to talk to your doctor right away to learn more about your options. To discuss your lymphedema treatment options with a qualified surgeon at Center for Restorative Breast Surgery, click over to http://www.breastcenter.com.
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