1. Lymphedema
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As previously stated in the introduction, lymphedema is caused by blockage preventing
drainage in the lymph nodes. This blockage increases the protein in the tissues outside the
vascular system, while retaining water and causing swelling in the tissue. Said increase
stimulates rapid reproduction of fiber producing cells, gathering of fluids, and swelling of
affected area. It also allows bacteria to enter beneath the skin which can lead to cellulitis. For
you to better understand let me explain the purpose of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic
system is a network of lymph vessels through the body to collect extra fluid with proteins, lipids,
and waste from the tissues. The fluid is then moved over to the lymph nodes, their job is to
filter waste and hold infection fighting cells. Extra fluid in the lymph vessels is then returned to
the bloodstream. When these vessels are blocked it can result in swelling of affected area also
known as lymphedema.
Lymphedema commonly affects just one arm or one leg sometimes though both limbs
can be affected which is rather uncommon. It often pops up after surgery for breast cancer, it’s
said that 10-40% develop some form of lymphedema in the same side of the body as the surgery.
Obesity, though not as common, is second leading cause in America for lymphedema, second to
surgery for breast cancer of course. Worldwide, however, the leading cause is filariasis
infection. Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by infection with roundworms of the Filariodea
kind, spread by black flies and mosquitos that feed on blood. Those who suffer from long term
lymphedema for ten years or more have a 10% chance of getting a cancer called
lymphangiosarcoma. This particular form of cancer is aggressive treated by amputation, even
with treatment the success rate is low being at 10% after 5 years.
There are two classifications of lymphedema primary and secondary lymphedema.
Primary lymphedema comes from a developmental abnormality of the lymphatic system.

2. Lymphedema
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Primary lymphedema is divided into three main types determined by the age of onset.
Congenital lymphedema, also known as Milroy Disease, which counts for 10-25% of primary
cases. Usually occurs anywhere from birth to a year and is twice as likely to occur in females
then males. Lymphedema praecox, also known as Meige Disease, is the most common form of
primary lymphedema. Tends to be obvious from birth to thirty-five years of age, often appearing
during puberty. Meige Disease accounts for 65-80% of primary cases with females being four
times as likely to acquire the disease then males. The third and final type of primary
lymphedema is lymphedema tarda. Lymphedema tarda tends to occur later in life for those
thirty-five and older, being the rarest form of primary it only accounts for 10% of cases. The
second classification is actually secondary lymphedema, which is usually linked to obesity,
infections, trauma, therapeutic modalities and neoplasm.
Did you know that the national symbol for lymphedema is the butterfly, such a graceful,
colorful, and majestic creature I can’t think of a better symbol. Its uplifting and motivates you to
keep flying high and don’t let anything keep you down. For example Princess Ati of Punt, which
current day is coastal Somalia, who is the first know person believed to have lymphedema. She is
portrayed in a hieroglyph in the Egyptian Queen Hatasu’s temple at Deir el-Bahari, being
described as having bags of flesh hanging from her limbs. In the hieroglyph they show her the
way she is described, you see her standing there shoulders back, head held high, and assumingly
confident in her position of authority. Although we still don’t know who it was that officially
documented lymphedema we can say we have came a long way in discovering facts and causes
and cures for this disease even some preventions. So to those of you with lymphedema I say stay
strong, get educated, and stay active and also no it’s not hereditary!