WATCH: Wolverhampton's Compton Hospice makes mini-film to raise awareness of Lymphoedema
A new animated video has been launched by Wolverhampton's Compton Hospice to raise awareness of Lymphoedema as part of a campaign to educate people about the condition.
The three-minute-long video shows how the body's lymphatic system deals with fluid build up in cells, and how this differs when someone has Lymphoedema, which is a condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs.
The video has been launched to mark Lymphoedema Awareness Week, a national campaign which runs from March 6-12.
The video goes on to explain how the condition, which affects 100,000 people in the UK, can be treated with a combination of skin care, exercise, compression hosiery, bandaging and massage.
Stacy Pugh, Lymphoedema clinical nurse manager at Compton Hospice, said: "We wanted to create a video which would help to explain the condition in a simple and easy to understand format.
"Unfortunately not many people are aware of Lymphoedema and so often symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses or being overweight.
"In creating this video we hope that more people will become aware of Lymphoedema and seek treatment."
Compton Hospice is one of the largest specialist Lymphoedema units in the UK and treats in excess of 800 patients every year.
Matthew Weston, co-founder of Stone's Throw Media who have made the video, said: "It has been great teaming up with Compton Hospice to create this video.
"Before we teamed up with the Hospice we didn't know what Lymphoedema was ourselves, so we have attempted to explain the condition in a simple and engaging manner without losing the informative aspect of the video."
Anyone concerned about the condition should visit their local GP or specialist Lymphoedema department for further advice.
