Lymphedema vs. Edema: Key Differences, Causes, and Treatment Options

Both lymphedema and edema often get mistaken for one another, so this article explains their distinctions, followed by treatment methods for the conditions.

 

What is Lymphedema?

A chronic dysfunction of the lymphatic system or a persistent increase of lymph produces body swelling and disfiguration, which characterizes lymphedema conditions. There are two main types: 

• Patients with primary lymphedema have an abnormal formation of their lymphatic vessels.
• Secondary development of lymphedema happens following any type of lymphatic system injury or impairment.

Primary lymphedema activates in any location of the body, whereas secondary lymphedema remains near the surgical area or the location where an infection or physical trauma occurred. Many people do not understand the underlying origin that leads to lymphedema formation. Late adulthood onset of primary lymphedema tends to reveal itself after an injury leads to continuous lymphatic system congestion. Every individual experiences lymphedema in a different way, so their condition may not match the classical textbook description.

As lymphedema progresses, the weakness intensifies through four clinical phases from mild to severe. Medical professionals agree that finishing the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema at an early stage leads to more favorable patient outcomes.

What is Edema?

Body swelling, called edema, develops because excessive fluid builds up in certain body parts. Edema mainly affects the lower limbs and feet since gravity monopolizes fluids below the body while blocking their ascent against the body’s fluid movement systems.

Most edema resolves itself naturally. People who have abnormal fluid balance combined with a long-lasting inability to restore it experience chronic edema for longer than three months. Edema that persists for more than three months is considered lymphedema.

What Are the Differences and Similarities between them?

The two medical conditions resemble one another in their characteristics, but their distinct features make them separate entities.

Acute body swelling receives the broad definition of edema, yet lymphedema represents a severe, persistent problem leading to substantial, lasting accumulation of edema fluid. The lymphatic system of a lymphedema patient develops an irretrievable condition from either prolonged overloads or severe dysfunction.

Each condition progresses through different stages of development as their main distinct characteristic. Simple reasons that create edema include prolonged standing on your feet. The condition advances into lymphatic dysfunction, which gets categorized under lymphedema as a chronic condition.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema develops as a strong outcome of cancer radiation combined with treatment. Acute edema develops post-surgically from cancer treatments, although it tends to resolve with time. 

 

Risk factors for edema:

• The risk increases when you remain in a single position for an extended duration. 
• Having a sedentary lifestyle
• Eating excessively salty food
• Menstruating or being pregnant
• Taking certain medications
• Severe and chronic health conditions like cirrhosis, kidney disease, and heart disease

 

Risk factors for lymphedema:

• Receiving cancer treatment
• Having surgery
• Traumatic injuries
• Chronic venous insufficiency (“vein disease”)
• Infections and parasites
• Family history of lymphedema or certain forms of arthritis
• Obesity
• Advanced age

The preceding details demonstrate that edema differs from lymphedema while remaining in a similar connection. Swelling and fluid accumulation occur in both medical conditions in the body.

The symptoms of lymphedema and edema overlap at first since a person experiences unusual limb sensations together with heavy body feelings and exhaustion. A specialist with training in lymphedema needs to diagnose lymphedema and edema.

What Are Lymphedema vs. Edema Treatment Options?

A variety of treatments exists for healing both edema and lymphedema conditions. This condition, together with edema, allows people under skilled management to continue maintaining normal activities in their daily lives. 

You must seek a doctor’s advice to find out the right treatment approach. Patients with open wounds require bandages but might also require topical medication for treatment. Know-how from a lymphedema specialist remains essential since you may not qualify for surgical intervention.

Research-based lymphedema compression devices are offered in different sizes, which allows patients to experience safe and comfortable usage. Millions of patients who have lymphedema currently apply compression pumps to manage their symptoms.

Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) represent mild yet useful interventions for treating lymphedema. Specially designed massage techniques direct fluid flow toward normal patterns of circulation.

Life modifications present a valuable approach for controlling your condition. People suffering from lymphedema can find benefits from eating properly and taking walks and swimming for exercise at moderate levels.

 

Additional Resources From Vein Center in Arizona:

For a complete understanding of lymphedema and edema, please seek more details from the Vein Center in Arizona. This Center delivers products together with information and resources through roundtable events, which assist patients dealing with lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency conditions to thrive in their treatment journey.

Medical research, together with doctors endorsing Vein Center in Arizona devices, demonstrates their effectiveness in treating lymphedema.

Contact the Vein Center in Arizona or ask your doctor about our products to obtain additional details.

 

Resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Lymphedema and Cancer
  https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivors/patients/lymphedema.htm
  Information on cancer-related lymphedema, risk factors, and management strategies.
• National Library of Medicine – Edema: Causes and Treatments
  https://medlineplus.gov/edema.html
  In-depth details on different types of edema and their management.
• American Cancer Society – Treating Lymphedema
  https://www.cancer.org/treatment/lymphedema
  Guidelines on lymphedema treatment include compression therapy and lifestyle changes.
• National Lymphedema Network (NLN)
  https://lymphnet.org
  Comprehensive support, education, and research updates on lymphedema.
• Cleveland Clinic – Understanding Edema
  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12361-edema
  A medical professional’s guide to edema, including causes and treatments.
• Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN)
  https://lymphaticnetwork.org
  Research-based insights on lymphatic disorders, including lymphedema.