Coping with Lymphedema : A Practical Guide to Understanding, Treating, and Living with Lymphedema

An estimated 100 million people around the world suffer from this lifelong condition, a result of damage to the lymphatic system. It causes extreme swelling of a limb or other part of the body along with pain, immobility, disfigurement, an increased susceptibility to infection, and a variety of other symptoms that make many people feel self-conscious and depressed.

Swirsky, a nurse, and Nannery, who had lymphedema after a lumpectomy, have written an informative, practical book about a condition quite prevalent in the U.S. Operations for breast cancer are the major cause of swollen lymph glands, but radiation can make scars that block the lymph system and cause the annoying and painful problem, too. Most doctors do not warn patients about lymphedema; Nannery, who read up on the subject before her operation, was told not to worry about such swelling because it was so rare. Lymphedema has no cure, but it can be managed if caught in time, and that is this book's main concern. Still, prevention comes first, and Swirsky and Nannery urge those about to undergo breast cancer surgery to ask their doctors to use the technique that least damages lymph nodes and circulation. After such an operation, or after lymphedema is diagnosed, a patient should, they say, seek the aid of a trained lymphedema specialist and help develop a practical program for therapy. William Beatty

Lymphedema is a chronic disorder of the lymph system causing the naturally occurring lymph fluid to accumulate as "swelling that can make an arm, leg, or other body part as much as two, three, four, or even more times its normal size." It does not discriminate by age or gender and can be congenital or acquired. It can also be a complication in postmastectomy or postlumpectomy cancer patients. Physicians frequently underestimate its occurrence and fail to educate patients in terms of prevention. Many doctors also lack the depth of knowledge needed to prescribe effective therapy. Swirsky, a nurse, and Nannery, a lyphedema patient, have combined their talents to write a much-needed, highly readable, detailed explanation of lymphedema, its complications, and its treatment?including diet, garments, pumps, manual lymph drainage therapy, and exercise. An extensive list of therapeutic resources, support groups, and readings as well as guidelines on choosing a lymphedema therapist are included. Recommended for all public libraries and hospital consumer health collections.?Lisa McCormick, Jewish Hosp. Lib., Cincinnati
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.