Summer Events

Posted on by

I think we’re all looking forward to summer, now. There are a number of summer events coming up that will be of interest to the lymphedema community. The summer is always a busy time, and one of the highlights this year is the International Lymphoedema Framework meeting in Montpellier, France. There has been an announcement that includes a schedule and a list of speakers. There will be two new position documents released, one on surgical interventions and one on compression bandaging. There will be presentations in English as well as French.

Montpellier is in the south of France and is the fastest growing city in that country. This is a very international event with speakers from all over Europe, Japan, Australia, the U.S. and Canada.

Last year the International Lymphedema Framework met in Toronto, and we were able to attend. It was a very worthwhile and exciting event. There is a sense that the worldwide lymphedema community is gaining a voice and a presence.

The programme and list of speakers is here: http://www.lympho.org/mtp-2012.php.

To learn more about other lymphedema-related events here in Canada, visit our website at: http://www.lymphedemadepot.com/events.

Caresia: Versatile and Amazing

Posted on by

Designed to replace several layers of a multi-layer lymphedema bandage, the Caresia Bandage Liner is a versatile therapeutic tool that can be used in the intensive phase of lymphedema therapy to improve outcomes, save money and shorten the course of treatment; it can also be used as a longer-term lymphedema management garment.

The Caresia Bandage Liner is a directional flow garment with quilted channels guiding the excess fluid away from the swollen area. The directional channels are filled with medical grade chipped foam that creates localized tissue stretch to stimulate the lymphatics, creating improved lymph flow.

The increased lymph flow and the massaging action of the foam chips also helps to gradually reduce fibrosis, that thickening of tissue that accompanies chronic edema.

The Caresia is variable compression garment. As it is a standard-sized garment, rather than a custom garment, is doesn’t usually provide significant compression on its own. The needed compression often comes from the application of short-stretch bandaging over the Caresia unit. Since the Caresia does provide some gradient compression, less short stretch bandages are needed to achieve proper compression, saving both money and time for the patient. Because of the directional flow and chipped foam elements of this sleeve, the intensive phase of treatment may also be shorter, another savings to the health system and the patient.

When the intensive phase of lymphedema therapy is over, the management phase begins. Multi-layer lymphedema bandaging no longer needs to be worn during the day; it is replaced by a compression sleeve. However, nighttime bandaging must be continued. The Caresia sleeve can be worn with one or two rolls of short-stretch bandaging for a quick and easy nighttime garment. The Caresia is comfortable because the foam layer disperses the pressure of the bandaging, and less bandaging is needed.

Caresia is available in arm units, either covering the hand and arm or covering only the arm and stopping at the wrist. To complement this wrist-to-axilla Caresia we have the Caresia glove. This standard sized Caresia edema glove is a superior glove for edemas of the hand and fingers. It is also used by patients with other hand issues, such as arthritis and tendonitis.

Caresia is also available in leg units, including an open-toed lower leg piece that covers the foot and leg up to  the knee. The second piece is a thigh piece that is separate and dovetails into the lower leg unit. This gives the patient a whole leg covering that is easy to don and easy to remove and that can be wrapped over quickly and easily, simplifying life for the many patients with problematic leg swelling.

The last item in the Caresia line is the Caresia Foot. This foot unit was originally designed for patients with diabetic feet. It has a closed toe to protect the foot and rises up to cover the ankle. The foot is completely surrounded by the soft yet effective foam chips that stimulate lymphatic uptake and improve microcirculation. These Caresia slippers are comfortable and great to wear for anyone who has to be on their feet all day at work, too.

To learn more about the Caresia visit our website at www.LymphedemaDepot.com. Just click where it says “Caresia” to view all the information about this wonderful line of ingenious therapeutic garments. Caresia may be just what you are looking for to help manage lymphedema, lipedema, edema due to trauma, diabetic feet, wounds related to poor circulation or chronic venous insufficiency and many related conditions.

Pathways: Canada’s Lymphedema Magazine

Posted on by

We received our initial issue of Pathways magazine today, the new full colour, glossy, magazine-style publication of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework and its provincial associations. The slogan under the title is “Empowering patients and professionals,” and the potential for empowerment as embodied by this magazine is tremendous.. The new lymphedema magazine includes articles about the science of lymphedema as well as the personal side of the story as told by patients and advocates. It is a beautiful magazine to look at and potentially signals the beginning of a new era for the lymphedema movement.

There are great articles about lymphedema patient’s stories, lymphatic research in Canada, exercise after breast cancer, lymphedema advocacy and more. With approximately 63,000 adults and children living with primary and secondary lymphedema in Ontario, and  with more than 250,000 cancer survivors in Ontario living with the risk of developing lymphedema, there is certainly an audience for this magazine. With those numbers representing the reality of lymphedema in Ontario alone, you can imagine that there is a national lymphedema community just waiting for this publication.

 Each province that has a lymphedema association will have an insert in the magazines distributed in their province, so there will be local as well as national content in every issue.

You can read more about Pathways, Canada’s Lymphedema Magazine, at the Lymphedema Association of Ontario’s website: http://www.lymphontario.ca. Just click on the article “New Canadian Lymphedema Magazine- free for LAO members.”

We encourage you to become a member of your provincial lymphedema association. You can find contact information for the associations  on our links page, here http://www.lymphedemadepot.com/links. And don’t forget to subscribe to Pathways by emailing canadalymph@live.ca. Pass a copy along to your doctor and your local cancer centre. We are proud to see the Canadian lymphedema movement gain a powerful voice.

What is the Solaris Tribute?

Posted on by

The Solaris Tribute is a therapeutic garment for the treatment and management of lymphedema and related disorders such as lipedema, chronic venous insufficiency and other chronic edemas.

The Solaris Tribute is a custom-made, bi-directional quilted compression garment with sewn channels that are filled with pressure-inserted medical grade chip foam. What does this mean to you?

As a bi-directional flow garment, the Tribute channels lymph fluid away from the area of the lymphatic system that has suffered damage and guides the fluid toward alternate drainage routes called collateral pathways. The sewn channels lead away from the damaged area. These channels are filled with medical grade chips of foam of varying densities. The foam chips nestle into the skin to address the skin thickening that accompanies chronic swelling. The foam chips are inserted under a specific amount of pressure, and this is part of what helps to determine the compression the garment delivers.

This skin thickening is the result of the retention of proteins and other cellular debris trapped in the swollen area. When the swelling feels doughy and retains the impression of anything that presses into it, this is due to the buildup of proteins which cling to the water molecules.

The medical grade chip foam sewn into the Tribute garment creates high and low pressure points which begin to gently break down the protein while at the same time providing subtle tissue stretch and release of the skin. This subtle stretch and release of the tissue, which happens passively while you wear the garment as you sleep at night, mimics the action of manual lymph drainage, the massage technique which stimulates the lymphatic system to take up more fluid and process it. So, while the skin thickening is being broken down, the lymph system is stimulated to process more fluid; these two actions together guide the proteins and fluid away from the congested area. This protein-rich fluid will then move on to functional lymph nodes which can break it down further.

The Solaris Tribute affects swelling in a much different way than simple compression garments. Simple compression garments simply increase the pressure on the circulatory system, inhibiting the production of interstitial fluid and encouraging the uptake of the lymph fluid. This has little effect on the protein content of the fluid and does not directly stimulate and open up the lymph system. The compression gradient of a simple compression garment is in one direction only, from distal to proximal, from the part of the limb furthest from the trunk to the part of the limb closest to the trunk. With the Solaris Tribute lymphedema garment the fluid is moved not only toward the trunk but toward the side of the body where healthy lymphatics can take up the excess fluid. This creates bi-directional gradient compression. In other words, the Solaris Tribute provides a full lymphedema treatment while you sleep. The treatment consists of massage and compression and results in a softer, less swollen limb. It is effective in the treatment of lymphedema, lipedema and mixed edemas such as the lymphedema which can accompany chronic venous insufficiency.

As a custom-made garment, the Solaris Tribute is manufactured to the exact measurements needed to fit your swollen area. A Tribute can be made to fit and treat any part of the body where swelling is a problem.

For more information about the full line of lymphedema care products made by Solaris and made available in Canada by Lymphedema Depot, please visit our website at www.LymphedemaDepot.Com.

ReadyWrap: An Alternative to Compression Stockings!

Posted on by

ReadyWrap low-elastic medical binders are the perfect alternative or supplement to elastic compression hosiery. The low-stretch materials work with the venous and lymphatic systems to naturally improve fluid movement, enhancing the calf’s natural muscle pump and producing low resting and high working pressures. ReadyWrap’s easy Velcro™ closure system also allows for easy donning and doffing, especially for individuals who have difficulty donning elastic compression garments.

Instead of struggling with compression stockings to treat venous insufficiency or lymphedema and related disorders,  the ReadyWrap components are simply and easily closed around the foot, lower leg, knee and thigh to provide compression as needed. Because ReadyWrap is a low-stretch, adjustable wrap it can be worn at night as well as during the day by simply adjusting the pressure to the comfort level required.

The ReadyWrap is easily applied. A patient or a caregiver can learn to put it on effectively in a matter of moments. Of course, it is just as easy to take off and reapply. This allows patients and caregivers to monitor the condition of the skin on a daily basis, insuring patient safety and well-being. Patients that are being seen for poor cirulation, venous problems, swollen legs or swollen ankles can all benefit from inelastic compression.

ReadyWrap can be worn over venous ulcers that have been covered with wound dressing material. Wound care professionals know that reducing edema is key to healing wounds. Discuss this application with your wound care team.

ReadyWrap is the only low-stretch compression garment of its kind that is available in a full leg application in standard sizes. The standard size  ReadyWrap thigh piece accommodates a girth of up to 100 centimeters.

The ReadyWrap components of foot, calf, knee and thigh can be ordered separately or in any combination that is needed by the patient. Because each component is a standard size, they are reasonably priced and quickly obtained.

ReadyWrap is made of materials that release heat and moisture for maximum comfort. The material is also very skin-friendly. There is also an optional sock called the Solaris Silver Liner that can be ordered with the ReadyWrap. It has silver content in the fabric that makes it  very comfortable to wear under the low-stretch medical garment if you wish.

To learn more about ReadyWrap, visit www.LymphedemaDepot.com.

You can see a flier that shows the features of the ReadyWrap leg garments here:ReadyWrap features.

 

Spring Events for the Lymphedema Community

Posted on by

The days are getting longer and a bit warmer. Spring is almost here! Another sure sign of spring is the burgeoning list of upcoming events on the Lymphedema Depot Events page. We use this webpage to publish a calendar of events  that are of interest to members of the lymphedema community. While we have a focus on events that serve the Canadian lymphedema community we also include international lymphedema events.

Springtime is a busy time for events, conferences, classes and meetings. It takes planning to attend the ones you want to attend, so check our events page before you make your plans! The events that we list are not solely focused on lymphedema, but also include events that focus on related disorders. We include information on events in such fields as wound care, venous disorders, foot care, cancer, edema management, adipose disorders such as Dercum’s disease, lipedema and others. While we can’t list every event in the medical field we do try to keep the list relevant.

Our events list came about as an outgrowth of our Links page. As a Canadian company that serves the lymphedema and related disorders community we frequently receive calls from patients, family member and therapists, among others, who are looking for resources. Since anybody involved in lymphedema has had experience with a lack of resources, we felt that we could easily provide the service of letting people know what is actually available. Finding information and connecting with others is just as important as finding quality treatment.

You can visit our Events page by going to our website and clicking on Events, or just use this link: www.LymphedemaDepot.com/events.

Visit our Links page by going to our website and clicking on Links, or just use this link: www.LymphedemaDepot.com/links.

 

Hooray, it’s Lymphedema Awareness Day !

Posted on by

Today is Lymphedema Awareness Day. Please visit our webpage at www.LymphedemaDepot.com  to read our article on what you can do to help raise awareness of lymphedema in your community, your circle of friends and relations, or even raise your own awareness about this chronic swelling condition.

If you do nothing else, make today the day you join your provincial lymphedema organization. Our Lymphedema Awareness web page provides links to these wonderful, volunteer-driven associations.

If you are a lymphedema patient, today is a good day to make an appointment for a manual lymph drainage treatment from your therapist. If you have not had treatment for your lymphedema, today is a great day to take that first step toward getting treatment. Our Links page at www.LymphedemaDepot.com/links has links to organizations, information resources and lymphedema therapist directories.

Lymphedema Awareness Day is a also a great day to realise and celebrate how far the lymphedema treatment movement has come. Awareness of lymphedema is higher than ever, there are more therapists than ever and there are more products than ever to help treat and manage lymphedema and related conditions. There are still a host of challenges for lymphedema patients are care-providers, but the amount of progress that has been made is remarkable.

We define the lymphedema community as everybody who is involved in this work. That means patients, the families and friends of patients,  therapists, researchers, doctors, nurses, vendors, organisers, volunteers, writers, product sales people, product developers, lymphedema educators, publishers and speakers. Everybody whose life is touched by lymphedema, lipedema or other chronic swelling conditions is a member of this community. Take Lymphedema Awareness Day to celebrate that we have this community for support and that we are all pushing for progress!

http://www.lymphedemadepot.com/lymphedema_awareness/.

Lymphedema Awareness Day: How Can I Help?

Posted on by

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012,  is Lymphedema Awareness Day in Canada and the US. On this day we focus on ways we can help raise awareness and educate our friends, family and physicians about lymphedema, its causes and its treatment.

A good primer on lymphedema can be found at the Lymph Notes website at http://www.lymphnotes.com/. This is a long-standing website full of good information on lymphedema, its complications and its treatment as well as links to resources.

You could also approach your municipal government to proclaim March 6th a Lymphedema Awareness Day. Here is a link to a sample proclamation from Vancouver: http://www.lymphovenous-canada.ca/march6proclamation%20-%20vancouver.jpg.

Another great resource for lymphedema and related conditions is posted on our website; just click  on the Links : http://www.lymphedemadepot.com/links/

You can also find a Lymphedema Awareness Day flier and information about the provincial lymphedema associations by going to our website at www.LymphedemaDepot.com and clicking on the Lymphedema Awareness Day logo.

Another great Canadian resource can be found at http://www.lymphovenous-canada.com, a compendium of news and resources curated by Cathy McPherson.

What can you do after accessing all this information? Bring it to the attention of your friends, family, physician, other health care professionals and anyone else you know who could benefit from this information.

Spread the word!

March 6th is Lymphedema Awareness Day

Posted on by

 

March 6th is Lymphedema Awareness Day. What does this mean? It is a day that is set aside to share information about lymphedema, a conditon of chronic swelling.

Lymphedema can be a side effect of of breast cancer treatment. When lymph nodes are removed for diagnostic purposes, the lymphatic pathways that transport excess fluid in the body are disturbed and the fluid builds up in areas that can not be properly drained.Constituents of the fluid such as water, protein molecules, cellular debris, toxins and bacteria begin to collect in the poorly-drained area and chronic swelling results. Over time the tissue begins to thicken and, as the bacteria flourish, the risk and incidence of infection rises also. Anyone who has had lymph nodes surgically removed is at a lifetime risk of developing lymphedema.

Lymphedema can also be a condition that the patient is born with. It may show up in infancy, adolescence or adulthood, but the result is still chronic swelling that will often progress until it is is treated. If the lymphedema goes untreated it can result in elephantiasis, a term for a large, distorted limb or limbs.

These figures come to us from the Lymphedema Association of Ontario:

  • Over 63,000 children and adults* live with primary or secondary lymphedema in Ontario.
  • 246,000 Ontario cancer survivors** are at a lifetime risk of developing lymphedema.
  • Currently, Ontario has just over 100 certified lymphedema therapists.
  • Some parts of Ontario have little or no access to a certified lymphedema therapist.

* Lymphedema Association of Ontario estimate (2004).
** Based on Cancer Care Ontario data (2004).

Lymphedema has a history of being underdiagnosed and lymphedema patients have little access to appropriate care. As awareness of lymphedema grows, real information about lymphedema and its treatment and managememt is still lacking for many.

Lymphedema Awareness Day is March 6 of every year and we have chosen this day as a day to draw attention to lymphedema. We believe that lymphedema awareness is lymphedema education. We are dedicated to improving the lives of lymphedema patients, and information and awareness are key components of making life with lymphedema easier and more bearable.We look forward to a day when lymphedema patients can have access to the care they need and find understanding of their condition wherever they go.

We encourage you to do an internet search for the term Lymphedema Awareness Day in Canada. You might be surprised at what you can learn!

 

 

There is Nothing Like a Tribute

Posted on by

We are often asked the question, what patients need a Solaris Tribute for lymphedema management? The short answer is that any patient who would benefit from night time bandaging will benefit from wearing a Solaris Tribute. Which lymphedema patients require night time bandaging? According to the International Consensus Document of the International Lymphoedema Framework, Best Practice for the Management of Lymphoedema, there are two types of lymphedema patients for whom nighttime bandaging is appropriate;

1. Patients who experience “creeping refill” when wearing only daytime garments, and

2. Patients with localised tissue thickening, also known as induration or fibrosis. This is the skin that takes an impression when pressed and feels “doughy.”

We also know that if a patient has swelling related to lymphedema that fluctuates a lot, or is worse at some times more than others, they could benefit from a nighttime garment.

If the patient needs a custom compression sleeve during the day, then they would benefit from wearing a custom compression garment at night as well.

In fact, it seems clear that any lymphedema patient who wants to effectively manage their lymphedema and minimise their swelling would want to wear a custom nighttime garment to increase the effectiveness of their management techniques. Patients are careful to take good care of themselves during the day by wearing their daytime compression garment, doing their exercises, receiving treatments as needed  and otherwise caring for their swelling. Wouldn’t they also want to manage their lymphedema while they sleep?

What are the benefits of wearing a Solaris Tribute custom therapeutic garment while you sleep? The foam chips work together with the high-performance fabric and the quilted channels of the garment to keep your limb soft and to encourage fluid movement away from saturated areas, all night long, as you sleep. The result is that, when the morning comes, your edematous limb has not increased in size overnight and may even have grown smaller! It is softer and more comfortable. It is easier to put on your daytime compression garment as a result. The daytime compression garment may also be more comfortable throughout the day because there should be less fluctuation of swelling throughout the day.

The Solaris Tribute can make life so much easier for lymphedema patients, that we feel that everyone with lymphedema should have access to it. We have dedicated ourselves to the goal of making this custom therapeutic lymphedema garment available to every lymphedema patient in Canada. You can learn more about the Solaris Tribute here: http://lymphedemadepot.com/blog/?p=191.

You can learn more about the Tribute and other Solaris therapeutic products for lymphatic and venous edemas as well as lipedema, traumatic edema and chronic swelling by visitng our website at www.LymphedemaDepot.com.