WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LYMPHEDEMA?
Although there is presently no cure for lymphedema, treatment can delay or even prevent its progression to a more severe stage. Surgery is occasionally used to treat severe lymphedema. However it is not usually the treatment method of choice for patients with mild or even moderate symptoms. Non-surgical treatments are thought to provide greater relief with fewer complications. Since infections can intensify the symptoms of lymphedema, antibiotics may be prescribed in individuals with frequent infections to reduce this risk. In addition, benzo-pyrones are a group of drugs which may provide reduction in swelling by aiding in removal of excess protein. However, the sale of these drugs is not permitted in many countries because several deaths have been attributed to the use of benzo-pyrones. The Lymphovenous Canada website discusses these drugs and lymphedema treatments in more detail. The most widely accepted treatment for lymphedema, complex physical decongestive therapy (CPDT), involves
