Onset Of Lymphedema In Pregnancy
Lymphedema is a disease that is manifested by the accumulation of fluids in any part of the body. It can appear in different circumstances, it is a chronic disease, but in pregnancy it is rare.
Although leg swelling is quite common during pregnancy, this type of accumulation is abnormal at this stage. However, its symptoms can be confused with the typical swelling of the legs.
The inflammation caused by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid, is particularly due to the obstruction of the lymph nodes due to an increase in flow.
The lymphatic fluid has the function of transporting bacterial agents, pollutants and waste material to the outside of the skin. In this regard, it is understood that this process belongs to the immune system.
The normal thing is that this unhealthy liquid circulates and is transported to the outside, but when the flow increases, it can generate an accumulation in some extremity.
In this sense, we can recognize that it is not a common inflammation when the accumulation occurs in a single limb. For example, when the deposit occurs on a single leg or arm, highlighting a disproportion of both.
Lymphedema symptoms
During pregnancy it is normal for us to suffer from continuous swelling of our extremities, especially our legs. However, in the case of lymphedema, the main sign is that they do not swell evenly. Other signs of this disease are.
- Sharp and continuous pain in the affected area
- Constant pressure on the skin
- Difficulty flexing or moving the limb
- Recurrent infections in the skin exposed to the disease
- It is more common in the left leg
- It can appear after surgery
- It has been discovered in breast cancer patients
- Women are more likely to suffer from it
- It can be hereditary (one in every six thousand people is born with primary lymphedema)
Why does lymphedema occur?
The precise cause of lymphedema is unknown, it is believed to occur in people born with obstructed lymphatic pathways. Primary lymphedema is considered when there is a predisposition in certain people, something that encourages its development at any stage of life.
Because it is more common in women, mainly menarchic or pregnant, some specialists consider a hormonal cause. However, secondary lymphedema appears as a result of some surgery or disease such as cancer.
A well-known case is that of the model Sarah Buller, who experienced it three months after her second pregnancy.
For its part, it is also related to edema, which also produces an accumulation of fluid and is more common in pregnancy. However, lymphedema differs from edema, because its cause is the obstruction of the lymphatic pathways as a consequence of congenital abnormality. This lymphatic problem chronically affects people who suffer from it and can cause psychological damage.
What is the treatment for lymphedema?
Unfortunately, lymphedema has no cure, in the case of primary lymphedema, people are born with a predisposition to obstruction.
Secondary lymphedema, on the other hand, does not tend to disappear after the cause of its appearance has been overcome. Currently there are some surgical techniques to improve symptoms, however, there is no treatment to eliminate it.
Sarah Buller, the model affected by lymphedema in pregnancy, suffered severe depression after her illness. Therefore, he decided to share his experience, so that other patients would join his cause and improve their emotional situation. She also underwent a medical procedure that allowed her to have her lymph nodes transplanted through surgery.
The procedure that Sarah underwent is one of the most effective treatments in day to alleviate lymphedema symptoms. However, the technique does not succeed in reversing the disease in its entirety, but it can match the size of the limbs by up to 70%.
The transplant is performed within your body, that is, lymph nodes from another area are transferred to the affected area. The evolution of Sarah’s disease can be observed through her Instagram account @lymphosaurus_rex.
