A cancer diagnosis can be extremely difficult to deal with physically and mentally. Medical advances are enabling more people to fight this disease successfully. Cancer patients however continue to suffer from side effects of the surgery and treatment. One of these side effects is lymphedema.
Lymphedema is a collection of fluid that causes swelling in the arms, legs or torso. Upper body lymphedema will usually affect the hand and arm but can also affect the breast, chest, and trunk. This is oftentimes caused by the removal of lymph nodes. You can think of the lymphatic system as a road system. When one or more roads are blocked due to lymph node removal, the system does not flow smoothly. The “traffic congestion” can cause swelling known as lymphedema.
Too much lymph fluid can accumulate in an area of the body that has been damaged. When lymph nodes are removed or radiated there can be damage to the lymphatic system. Fibrosis of the axilla due to surgery or radiation can also cause lymphatic obstruction. Symptoms include a feeling of tightness, leathery skin texture, and heaviness. The seminars will teach you about the things that you can do to decrease the risk of developing lymphedema. We will also demonstrate how to exercise safely and effectively if at risk for or with lymphedema Go to www.CarolMichaelsFitness.com for more information.