4/14/2022
                                JJeeaann  LLaaMMaannttiiaa
                                     DDiieettiittiiaann  ||  SSuurrvviivvoorr  ||  SSppeeaakkeerr
                                                                 Why Dietitians Need to be 
                              www.jeanlamantia.com
                                                                  Involved in Lymphedema 
                                                                                                   Care
                            1
                                Jean LaMantia
                                     Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                    The views expressed in this presentation are those of the
                                                                        presenter.. Further, this presentation should not be
                                                                     reproduced in full or in part without the express written
                                                                                          consent of the presenter.
                            2
                                                                                            Disclosures
                                Jean LaMantia
                                     Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                                        www.jeanlamantia.com
                            3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             4/14/2022
                                                                             Agenda
                           Jean LaMantia
                              Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                                  Part 1
                                                                      Lymphedema Prevalence
                                                                         What is lymphedema?
                                                                        Types of lymphedema
                                                                       Diagnosing lymphedema
                                                                   What is the lymphatic system?
                                                               What does the lymphatic system do?
                                                                                  Part 2
                                                                     Treatment for lymphedema
                                                                      Nutrition for lymphedema
                       4
                                                                  Condition                   Prevalence U.S.
                                                                     ALS                           16,000
                           Jean LaMantia
                              Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                     HIV                         1.1 million
                                                                     MS                           1 million
                           More people 
                           have 
                                                            Parkinson’s Disease                   1 million
                           lymphedema 
                           than ALS, HIV, 
                                                            Alzheimer’s Disease                  3.7 million
                           MS, Parkinson’s 
                           and Alzheimer's 
                           COMBINED.
                                                                     Total                      6.816 Million
                                                                Lymphedema                       ~10 Million
                                                         Worldwide Lymphedema                    200 Million
                       5
                           Jean LaMantia
                                                          What is lymphedema?
                              Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                          LYMPH EDEMA
                                                                 It’s a buildup of lymphatic 
                                                                                     fluid
                                                               Swelling, aching, heaviness, 
                                                                         pins and needles
                       6
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               4/14/2022
                                               Examples of lymphedema
                            7
                                Jean LaMantia
                                     Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                            Types of Lymphedema
                            8
                                                                             Primary Lymphedema
                                Jean LaMantia
                                     Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                             • 0.6% of all live births
                                                                             • Can be present at birth or 
                                                                                 develop later
                                   Photo: 
                                   https://www.instagram.co
                                   m/thelittlelymphie/
                            9
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           4/14/2022
                                     ConnelF et al. The 
                                     classification and 
                                     diagnostic algorithm 
                                     for primary 
                                     lymphatic dysplasia: 
                                     an update from 2010 
                                     to include molecular 
                                     findings.Clin Genet 
                                     2013
                                      “40% of those 
                                       with primary 
                                      lymphedema 
                                            have 
                                                                                                                 Double eye lashes
                                     mutations that 
                                       are known.”
                                                                                                                                               Movement disorder
                                           -M. Aldrich
                                     Aldrich, M. Why are 
                                     some people 
                                     walking time bombs 
                                     for developing 
                                     lymphedema? 
                                     LE&RN, July, 2020.
                                10
                                                                                          Secondary (Acquired) 
                                                                                                     Lymphedema
                                     Jean LaMantia
                                          Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                                                                                   Less common causes:
                                                                                                                                   •   Trauma
                                                                                                                                   •   Sports injuries
                                                                                                                                   •   Paralysis
                                                                                                                                   •   Liposuction
                                                                                                                                   •   Tattooing
                                                                                                                                   •   Filariasis 
                                                                                                                                       (parasitic worms 
                                                                                                                                       spread by 
                                                                                                                                       mosquitos)
                                        Image: 
                                        https://www.instagra
                                        m.com/mackenzie_k
                                        wak_parasitologist/
                                11
                                                                               What Could the Swelling Be?
                                     Jean LaMantia
                                          Dietitian | Survivor | Speaker
                                                                                          • Heart failure
                                                                                          • Renal failure
                                                                                          • Hypoproteinemia
                                                                                          • Pulmonary hypertension
                                                                                              Peripheral vascular disease
                                                                                          •
                                                                                          • Lymphedema 
                                     Image: LymphaticNetwork.org
                                12
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          4