How to prevent upper extremity edema after breast cancer

First, not to hand or hands are heavy, try not to do need to arm muscles so that the major strength of the job. Due to muscle hard, you need a lot of muscle oxygen supply, this will cause a lot of blood into the arm, and then the arm will be from congestive venous blood and lymph fluid transport out.

Second, usually the regular activities of the arm should also do housework, or appropriate working point. Try to set the arm position above the heart, such as with a few pillows to elevate the arm, but be aware, to prop up the arm, and not just support the lower arm. Package needs to be thrown over your shoulder should be destroyed in the absence of that side of the shoulder surgery. Women feel shoulder pain, shoulder bag should avoid. Usually possible hand on the top or skirt pocket, this would relax the shoulders, arms and other muscles. Usually not too tight armholes clothes, lace bra was easily inserted into the shoulder where it does not matter, if necessary, can be widened or add a liner tape.

Third, wear rings, bracelets, watches, should be more lenient as far as possible, do not let them easily inserted into the skin, but also the arm to avoid direct heat such as hot water bath, washed with hot dishes, ironing long, long time the sun and so on.

Also drew attention to the blood circulation slow down when the arm after the arm, especially the skin is slightly broken hand injury, for example, cut, split, burn, thorn scratches, etc., more difficult to heal. When necessary, disinfection should take timely measures, such as disinfection with iodine solution, if there is no disinfectant hand, pure alcohol can also be used. To avoid unnecessary wound, not an operation that should normally be in the side of blood, injection and infusion. Axillary lymph node region, not subcutaneous or acupuncture treatment. That is, that side of the upper extremity surgery as not injecting drugs, or these areas will increase the possibility of congestion. In addition, to prevent the risk of congestion, the best measurement of blood pressure should be there without surgery.

Long as we persist in implementing these measures, there will be satisfied with the results. However, still there is always the tendency to edema. As long as we exercise the right and proper attention to the arm rest, make 70 - 80% of the intact arm swelling or thinning. Further treatment is worn on the arm flexible bandage. If these measures do not work, you need to eliminate congestion by mechanical massage or reduce the swelling of the drug.

To reduce the swelling of several drugs with caution, because:

⑴ diuretic effect of drugs can not be long-term use, it will increase the intracellular concentration of tissue proteins, which we do not want.

⑵ for intravenous drugs in, and sometimes swelling of the effective short-term, chronic swelling has confirmed that there is not much effect.

⑶ is recommended to treat lymphatic congestion in the cream or gel medicines, will have an instant cooling and cold pleasure, and thus feel more comfortable. But for chronic swelling of the arm and chest, there will be no fundamental improvement.

Finally, the arm swelling to say a few question:

⑴ arm edema, the need to make some adjustments to everyday life, but there is no reason to lose confidence.

⑵ edema at the beginning, you at least the thickness of his arm has some control.

⑶ sure if more and more serious swelling, no matter with or without signs of inflammation, immediate medical consultation should be.