What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is the accumulation of a fluid called lymph. The lymphatic system carries this fluid through lymph vessels and lymph nodes throughout the body. Swelling may occur when there is an increase in the amount of fluid or due to blockage that disrupts the normal flow.

How do members experience lymphedema?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with lymphedema*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for lymphedema*

Who has lymphedema on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 1
20s 7
30s 46
40s 121
50s 302
60s 471
70+ 276

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 84
Female 1,141

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What is lymphedema?

Lymphedema is the accumulation of a fluid called lymph. The lymphatic system carries this fluid through lymph vessels and lymph nodes throughout the body. Swelling may occur when there is an increase in the amount of fluid or due to blockage that disrupts the normal flow.



Common symptoms reported by people with lymphedema

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it

Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Last updated:



Treatments taken by people for lymphedema

Let’s build this page together! When you share what it’s like to have lymphedema through your profile, those stories and data appear here too.

Got a question about living with lymphedema? Members in the forum might have the answers.


Compare treatments taken by people with lymphedema

Let’s build this page together! When you share what it’s like to have lymphedema through your profile, those stories and data appear here too.

Got a question about living with lymphedema? Members in the forum might have the answers.



Who has lymphedema on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 2 new patients joined this month
  • 238 say lymphedema is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 1
20s 7
30s 46
40s 121
50s 302
60s 471
70+ 276
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 21
20-29 years 21
30-39 years 52
40-49 years 70
50-59 years 47
60-69 years 30
70+ years 6

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 84
Female 1,141

Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 299
Not Diagnosed 15

These charts show data from lymphedema patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: