Understanding Who treats lymphedema? Most lymphedema treatment is carried out by therapists who have completed specialized Lymphedema training. You need to have a referral from a Lymphedema resources physician for lymphedema treatment and a prescription to obtain a medical grade American Cancer Society compression garment. ACS Denver: 303.758.2030 cancer.org

Lymphedema information Circle of Hope Lymphedema Foundation, Inc. The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) 203.758 .6138 provides education and guidance on the lymphedemacircleofhope.org prevention and management of lymphedema. The Lymphology Association of North Lymphology Association of North America America (LANA) has developed guidelines 773.756.8971 regarding the content and quantity of training for clt-lana.org lymphedema treatment, and offers a national test. National Lymphedema Network Listing with NLN or LANA is voluntary and the 800.541.3259 registries do not include all health care lymphnet.org professionals qualified to treat lymphedema.

Lymphedema treatment with UCHealth

UCHealth offers treatment with LANA-certified therapists at UCHealth Outpatient Rehabilitation

Services. A physician referral is required.

Call 970.495.8454 for more information or to make an appointment.

UCHealth does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities or in employment. For further information about this uchealth.org policy, contact UCHealth’s Northern Colorado patient representative at 970.495-7346. E3765 4/18

What does the lymphatic system What are the symptoms of Can diuretic drugs help treat do? lymphedema? lymphedema? A healthy lymphatic system transports white The first symptoms of lymphedema may be No. Diuretic drugs that cause increased blood cells, removes waste products, returns feelings of heaviness, tightness or aching in the excretion of water from the body are not water and protein (which was filtered out of the affected limb. You may notice that clothing or effective in treating lymphedema because this blood vessel capillaries) to the circulatory jewelry fits tightly. The most obvious sign of does not affect the transport of proteins. The system. When the lymphatic system is blocked lymphedema is swelling with “pitting” edema. proteins that are part of lymph fluid act like or damaged, the ability to fight infection in that With pitting edema, pressure on the skin will sponges and attract water, so the lymphedema part of the body is reduced. leave an indentation that does not immediately persists until the protein molecules can be disappear. returned to the circulatory system. What is lymphedema? You may develop symptoms of lymphedema a How is lymphedema treated? Lymphedema is swelling of a body part, most few months or years after an injury or cancer often an arm or leg, which occurs when the treatment. Pitting edema can be caused by Once present, lymphedema cannot be cured. lymph system is not able to reabsorb and several different medical problems, so it is But, like other chronic conditions such as transport interstitial fluid (fluid found between the important to see your doctor to make sure the diabetes, the symptoms can usually be well cells). Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic correct diagnosis is made. controlled by consistently following a good vessels are absent, poorly developed, management program, such as Complete obstructed or damaged. Decongestive Therapy (CDT). CDT uses the following treatment components. What causes lymphedema?  Compression is typically part of the Primary lymphedema can be present from birth, lymphedema management program. or develops later in life, with no injury, Compression may be achieved in the early because the lymphatic system is poorly stages of treatment, by use of low-stretch developed or absent in some areas. bandages for wrapping the affected limb. Secondary lymphedema is caused by damage When the affected area is stable, most to part of the lymphatic system. This can occur people obtain a compression garment (sleeve when lymph nodes are removed in surgery to or stocking) for routine daily wear. treat cancer. Radiation therapy as part of  Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a cancer treatment can also damage lymph special type of gentle massage that vessels. In the U.S., cancer treatment is the stimulates the lymphatic system to work more most common cause of secondary effectively. MLD can shift lymph fluid from lymphedema. What are the side effects areas with damaged lymph vessels to areas with functioning vessels. This is typically used Repeated infections or severe trauma (which associated with lymphedema? could occur in a car accident) can also in the early stages of treatment, to assist with damage the lymphatic system enough to Typical side effects with lymphedema are of reducing the size/volume of the affected area. cause lymphedema. Lymphedema can heaviness, aching, swelling, and of recurrent  Exercise and excellent skin care are develop over time as a result of chronic infections in the affected area. important parts of effective lymphedema venous insufficiency (a condition where the leg Untreated lymphedema tends to be progressive. management, along with consistent use of veins are too slow in returning blood to the When the lymph fluid remains trapped in the compression. heart). interstitial tissue for a long time, the skin can become thickened and the tissue becomes fibrous and hard. uchealth.org