Understand lymphedema

• 1). Talk to your doctor or his nursing staff. Ask for supplemental reading materials, websites that might be helpful to you, or other local resources where you can learn more. Your doctor or his staff are the best resources since they can steer you toward resources that address specifics of your condition or treatment.
  
  
• 2). Use online resources developed by government researchers. The National Institutes of Health and its National Library of Medicine have developed resources to help patients and the general public learn more about lymphedema. These resources include color images, links to more reading, scientific references and journal articles, information on diagnosis and treatment, and issues for lymphedema patients to think about.
  
  
• 3). Explore resources developed by patient groups, or chapters of national organizations in your community. Groups like the National Lymphedema Network host robust websites that are rich in information about lymphedema--including information about support groups in your area. If you are a lymphedema patient, and your lymphedema stems from a cancer treatment, you could also check resources developed by cancer patient groups, like Susan G. Komen for the Cure, at komen.org.
  
  
• 4). Learn more about lymphedema from resources developed by physician organizations. The American Society for Clinical Oncology has developed a special website to educate patients about cancer and related conditions, and its site includes resources devoted to understanding lymphedema. Information about diagnosis, causes, treatment, ways to grade the seriousness of lymphedema and additional resources are all part of this site.