Coping with LymphedemaBy: Diane Sackett Nannery, Swirsky An estimated 100 million people around the world suffer from this lifelong condition, a result of damage to the lymphatic system. It causes extreme swelling of a limb or other part of the body along with pain, immobility, disfigurement, an increased susceptibility to infection, and a variety of other symptoms that make many people feel self conscious and depressed.