About Lymphedema & CVI
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid that is usually drained through the body's lymphatic system. It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck, and genitals.
Lymph nodes are an important part of your lymphatic system.
Any problem that blocks the drainage of lymph fluid, including cancer, can cause lymphedema.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Lymphedema can include swelling, feelings of heaviness or tightness, restricted range of motion, recurring infections, and fibrosis.
Treatments
Effective treatments for Lymphedema may include compression wraps, massage, careful skin-care, or sequential pneumatic pumping such as BioCompression Systems
Consult your physician if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema to see if a pneumatic compression pump is a good option for you
Additional Lymphedema Information
What is CVI?
CVI, or Chronic Venous Insufficiency, is a venous disease that occurs when veins in your legs are damaged. These damaged veins can’t manage blood flow as well as they should and it is harder for blood in your legs to return to your heart. CVI causes blood to pool in your leg veins, leading to high pressure in those veins.
Symptoms
Symptoms of CVI include achy or tired legs, burning or tingling sensation in legs, cramping in legs at night, discolored skin, edema, flaking or itching skin on legs and feet, heavy feeling in legs, ulcers, and varicose veins.
What causes CVI?
If you are overweight, pregnant, have a family history of CVI, or have had damage in your leg from injury, surgery, or previous blood clots, you are more likely to have CVI.
Other causes can include high blood pressure in leg veins from long periods of sitting or standing, lack of exercise, smoking, a deep vein bloot clot (deep vein thrombosis), or swelling and inflammation of a vein close to the skin (phlebitis).
Consult your physician if you have been diagnosed with CVI to see if a pneumatic compression pump is a good option for you.
Additional CVI Information