'Hidden epidemic': Symposium aims to increase awareness and education about lymphedema - skin care device

Corey lineain was only three years old when he was diagnosed with lymph edema.
An incurable disease that causes chronic swelling in the body parts due to the accumulation of liquid.
It starts with his left leg, but as he grows it moves to his right leg, right arm, face and abdomen.
As an adult, he spends every day anywhere between an hour and a half and three hours using a compression pump, and he wears a compression bandage to control his condition.
"Every day is a constant struggle to find balance," says Ringlein . " He also works full time.
"These things make me feel good physically, but again it runs out most of my day.
"There is no pain, but there is a lot of discomfort," he said . ".
Not alone in his struggle.
About 1 million Canadians suffer from lymph edema.
"This is often called a hidden epidemic," said the doctor. David Keast,co-
Director of the Canadian lymph edema framework, based in Ontario.
"This is not well taught in medical school.
"This course was not taught in other health care subjects," he said . ".
"What we often hear is, 'Well, she's just fat.
Sometimes doctors mistake the symptoms of lymph edema for heart disease or other diseases, so the situation may not be diagnosed or improperly treated, he said.
Keast is one of the world's four
Famous experts are scheduled to speak at the 20-18-year association for lymph edema (LAS) education seminar in Regina on 7 and September 6. A non-
LAS aims to increase education, awareness and support for those affected by lymph edema and lymph
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Most people with lymph edema have developed from cancer or cancer surgery, which is a myth.
Keast says 75 people have developed for other reasons.
"This is due to increased obesity, many venous diseases and many (other diseases) people suffer from," said Anna Kennedy, executive director of the Canadian framework for lymphatic edema.
Because the disease affects a lot of people, Kennedy said, it can't be covered under the carpet as it used to be.
"For patients who need to receive reimbursement for compressed clothing and treatment, it requires more funding;
"At the moment, this does not necessarily cover every province in Canada," she said . ".
The condition can be maintained if early diagnosis-
However, without treatment, lymph edema may develop to the extent that other more serious problems begin to occur.
The first sign of a person's appearance of lymph edema is the swelling of the limb or trunk for more than three months, and there is no response to the diuretics medicine or the elevation of the affected limb.
If not treated, more changes will occur to the skin.
Two simple tests can help identify lymph edema, the mark of Stemmer and the hole erosion test, respectively.
When you pinch the skin at the bottom of the knuckles and can't pull up the beautiful skin, a positive Stemmer sign will appear.
The point test involves pressing the skin to leave a depression.
If depression does not disappear, it may be the cause of lymph edema.
In the end, the skin is not even sunken, but it is difficult to touch.
The Warty phenomenon is known as papillary disease, and it is also possible to develop skin infections, known as cellular inflammation, which leads to expensive emergency room treatment and antibiotic treatment costs.
"Early intervention is key," said Tracy gardikitis, a local physical therapist and LAS board member who helped organize the workshop . ".
"This requires management and provides patients with treatments that help stabilize their condition.
"Some people have this disease in the sky, such as Ringlein, while others have developed because of cancer or other diseases.
According to Keast, treatment includes Compression Therapy, meticulous skin care to maintain skin function, reduce the onset of cellular inflammation, exercise and artificial lymphatic drainage, this is a massage done by aor with a compression pump.
Doctors and other health care professionals have not yet mastered this knowledge, and sometimes people slip away from the cracks.
"I feel like I'm fighting this myself," said Ringlein . ".
"When I have a problem, I don't think anyone can ask for help.
I would say (my physical therapist) is that person, but at the same time (they) are not doctors.
Kennedy said it is important for healthcare professionals and patients to learn as much as possible about the situation.
"They are the people who need to learn how to be themselves --manage it.
"They need to learn how to defend themselves for better treatment," she said . ".
The workshop is open to patients and any healthcare professionals.
It will also address lipedema, which is an abnormal accumulation of fat nodules in the tissue and is not very clear.
The registration time for the seminar was extended to August 30.
Sign up for the visit.