Lympha Yogi
To My Lymphedema Community:
Last week, I learned about a company that I feel has the potential to drastically change treatment and management outcomes for secondary lymphedema—and I wanted to share with you all!
The company is called ImpediMed , and they sell the only FDA cleared device that can detect lymphedema unilaterally in arms (just for women) and unilaterally in legs (for both women and men). In my opinion, the coolest part is that this device has the capacity to detect the accumulation of lymph fluid BEFORE clinical signs of lymphedema develop! In other words, if a patient knows she is at risk to develop lymphedema due to a medical procedure, her doctor can order screenings using this device to monitor lymph fluid accumulation. If results indicate that lymphatic flow is beginning to decrease, treatment can begin before swelling occurs. I think we all know how critical early management of lymphedema is for efficacy, prognosis, and our bank accounts!
I am sure you are wondering how this works, at least that was my first question! The answer is: bioimpedance spectroscopy technology. I am not a scientist (just a fellow lymphie), but I will do my best to explain. The device emits weak electrical currents at many different frequencies through the body. By measuring the activity of the electrical currents in our extracellular spaces (where lymph fluid resides), the device can detect subtle changes in the amount of fluid long before visible swelling happens. Amazing, right?
As a person with idiopathic primary lymphedema, there was no way to know what was coming. But, I am very hopeful that this device will help doctors and their future patients, who know they are at risk for lymphedema, have greater success managing swelling and pain.
Check out their websites at
http://www.l-dex.com/ or
http://www.impedimed.com/home.htm and keep spreading the word about lymphedema!
Happy Lymphedema Awareness Month!!
