Treating Chronic Lymphedema

Chronic Lymphedema suffererers develop severe abnormalities in their affected limb or limbs. The arm(s) or leg(s) swells two times or more the normal size, sometimes making the affected limb(s) look grotesque, which can also cause extreme discomfort.

There is no cure for lymphedema no matter how mild or severe. However, if you are suffering from chronic lymphedema there are a few methods to help reduce the swelling in your affected limbs. A company called Mego Afek ( http://www.lympha-press.com ) develops and produces compression therapy devices for treatment of lymphedema. Of course, before you decide to use any products consult your doctor first.

One of the products they manufacture is called the Lympha Press. It is used to treat the most severe cases of Lymphedema. The Lympha Press device treats lymphedema using physiological principles. Pressure is distributed into overlapping air compartments which are contained in a special sleeve. The compartments are sequentially inflated, from distal to proximal, massaging the limb in a proximal direction. The overlapping compartments prevent any gaps in treatment, to achieve a maximal and safe reduction of the lymphedema.

The treatment cycle starts by filling the distal compartment first and continues inflating the remaining compartments in sequence during the first 24 seconds until all are full. The pressure is held in all compartments for 2 seconds, then deflates for four seconds which completes the 30 seconds cycle. The cycle then repeats itself.

A wide range of garment sizes are available, for treating people of all shapes and sizes with varying degrees of lymphedema. Each garment comes with either 3 zippers or 3 velcro straps for size adjustment. This treatment however, is generally used in hospitals or a doctors office. Again, ask you doctor about this treatment.

Mego Afek also develops home lymphedema treatment equipment. The Lympha Press Mini is a smaller version of the Lympha Press.

Unlike many other "home use" lymphedema treatment devices, which have fewer treatment cells than their hospital-grade counterparts, the Lympha Press Mini is as effective as the hospital-grade Lympha Press. The Lympha Press Mini is used with the same 10 or 12-chamber garments as the regular Lympha Press and applies the same gentle massage that is the most effective method for treating extremity lymphedema.

The Lympha Press Mini applies treatment pressure up to 80 mmHg, which is the normal human blood pressure. This makes it appropriate for home treatment at the patient's convenience.

If you want more information about Lympha Press go to their web site at http://www.lympha-press.com .

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