Is Lymphedema Life Threatening?
Yes , some of the complication that occur with lymphedema can be life endanger . Let us see what are the complications of lymphedema , this will help you to understand the life threatening conditions that can occur with lymphedema .
Complications of Lymphedema In Your Arm or Leg
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an sharp inflammation of the peel and subcutaneous tissue , the risk of getting cellulitis is more if you have lymphedema because the cutis stretch and thins out , as the lymph fluid get accumulate . This counteract the natural skin United States Department of Defense and increase the jeopardy of getting infections . The folds that are produce in the tegument due to lymphedema can trap the bacterium . Once the bacteria enters the tissue lymph fluid is an ideal billet to originate and grow in numbers . Cellulitis is caused usually by bacterium , commonly by Staphylococcus aureus or Group A streptococcus in a person with normal immunity . It can be because of opportunistic organisms / normal plant in person with low unsusceptibility . If not treat adequately can contagion can spread to the blood and cause blood poisoning .
Additional risk factors for cellulitis
Lymphangitis
Lymphangitis is an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels commonly due to a Group A Streptococcus infection consociate with cellulitis , less commonly due to Staphylococcus aureus . These being infix the lymphatic system through a skin breach . The vessels that are kindle appear as red-faced streaks under the skin extending form the chief web site to the breakwater or axillary cavity . Other symptoms are fever , unease , sinew aches , vexation . If not treated early the infection can spread to the ancestry current causing a potentially living threaten complication septicaemia and eventually death .
Additional risk factors for lymphangitis
Lymphangiosarcoma
Lymphangiosarcoma is a rare lenient tissue malignant neoplastic disease which occurs in patients with foresighted endure primary or lowly lymphedema . This can occur in both extremities but normally get a line in the upper arm . Symptoms may include a red - blue or purple stain or skin tubercle . multitude who bear lymphedema for more than 10 year are at 10 % risk of contract lymphangiosarcoma . Early diagnosing and treatment can give a practiced event , if not the tumor can spread to lung and chest wall which can cause destruction ( common cause of death ) . It also can fan out to the liver and bone .
Additional risk factors for lymphangiosarcoma
Complications of Lymphedema In Your Head And Neck
Head and neck lymphedema can require outside anatomical structure like soft tissues of face and cervix and internal structures like mucose membranes , respiratory and digestive tracts . This can give ascent to serious complications such as ventilation difficulties , swallowing difficulties which can give rise to nutritionary insufficiency , speaking difficulties and juiceless mucose membrane .
Factors associated with head and neck lymphedema
Summary
There are several complications of lymphedema that can be animation threatening . Cellulitis and lymphangitis can induce septicaemia if the infection circularize to the stemma it can even make death . Lymphangiosarcoma is a uncommon tumour that fall out with recollective standing primary or subaltern lymphedema . It usually come about in the upper limb and can circulate to the lung and bureau wall and cause death . Deep nervure thrombosis can cause pulmonary intercalation and death . Lymphedema in the brain and neck can cause breathing difficulties , swallowing difficulties , talk difficulties , and dry mucous membranes . As you see lymphedema specially longstanding lymphedema can affect the quality of life sentence and can be biography threatening as well .
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