Lipoedema is a condition that can impact your mobility and self-worth. While it’s difficult to live with, there are ways to manage it.
Doctors diagnose lipedema based on symptoms and a physical examination. They may also inquire about a person’s family medical history for further insight.
Symptoms
Lipoedema is a condition that affects the legs, hips, buttocks and calves in approximately 11% of females. Diagnosis can be made through symptoms as well as imaging techniques.
Symptoms include fat accumulation in the lower body and arms (usually on the legs), as well as cold to touch, tender or painful areas of skin. Some patients may feel itching and have brown discoloration on their skin.
People with lipoedema may also experience heaviness and joint pain in the affected areas. This can make it difficult to walk and find clothing that fits properly.
Sometimes, lymphedema can develop when fat blocks the lymphatic system and prevents it from draining fluids, waste products or inflammatory molecules from tissues. This puts you at greater risk for infection as well as skin damage.
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your primary care physician right away. They can refer you to a specialist and take an extensive medical history; if needed, use imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI scans for further diagnosis.
Your doctor will then discuss with you your symptoms and any underlying health conditions that could be causing them. This is essential, as they will know how to rule out other conditions with similar signs, so they can provide appropriate treatment options.
You could also be referred to a specialist in lipoedema who will conduct an exhaustive assessment of your symptoms and treatment needs. They may suggest compression therapy or physiotherapy as two effective solutions for managing these discomforting symptoms.
Compression is a technique used to tighten the skin and increase circulation in your legs, decreasing swelling and relieving pain. It works best when combined with exercise and should be done regularly.
Our mission is to reduce your discomfort and enhance your quality of life. This may involve wearing special sleeves with graduated compression, combined with light to medium exercise such as walking, water aerobics or swimming.
Physical activity can also help you control your weight and slow the progression of a condition. Aim for at least two and a half hours of moderate intensity activity each week, along with some muscle strengthening exercises as well.
Lipoedema Diagnosis
Lipoedema is an uncommon but serious medical condition that affects the legs, thighs and buttocks (or sometimes, even the arms) by causing abnormal fat buildup in certain areas. This long-term issue can have a significant impact on both quality of life as well as self-esteem.
Your doctor can diagnose lipoedema by asking about your symptoms, performing a physical examination and observing how fat cells appear beneath the skin. They may also inquire about any other signs or symptoms you’ve noticed.
This condition is believed to be caused by an accumulation of fat which restricts the movement of fluids, cell waste products and inflammatory molecules from tissues. As a result, your lymphatic system cannot efficiently drain these materials away.
Puberty may begin as the trigger, and is further compounded during pregnancy or menopause. Though the exact cause remains unknown, genetics is believed to play a role.
In some cases, lymphedema (fluid retention) can develop. When pressing your thumb into a lymphoedema area, it makes a dent which gradually fills in and vanishes.
Your doctor can make a diagnosis by discussing your symptoms with you and performing a physical examination of your legs, thighs and buttocks. They’ll take note of any swollen fat cells or thickening within these areas as well as any bruising or pain sensations in these swollen regions.
If your doctor suspects you have lipoedema, they will refer you to a specialist for treatment. This could involve things like physiotherapy, compression therapy or exercise.
Many healthcare professionals lack the training or are unaware of lipoedema, so getting an accurate diagnosis is critical. Additionally, discussing your family history with your doctor can be helpful when diagnosing this disorder.
Lipoedema may be mistaken for other conditions, such as lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Your doctor will want to know if you experience swelling in your feet or hands from either a buildup of fluid or another medical issue.
Lipoedema Treatment
Lipoedema is an advancing disorder that typically worsens with time, leading to swelling and functional loss. It may cause feelings of stress, anxiety and depression in its more advanced stages.
Lipoedema can be treated with various methods, including surgical procedures. However, for some individuals a combination of non-invasive treatments may prove more successful than one type alone.
Liposuction can be an effective way to reduce excess body fat and minimize swelling. However, it should only be performed by a trained healthcare professional with expertise in this area.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may suggest compression therapy or lymphatic drainage (LLD). Not only does this reduce symptoms, but it can also improve overall health and well-being.
Eating less salt on a daily basis can help with fluid retention. This is because sodium increases the flow of fluids through your veins and prevents them from draining properly.
It is essential to discuss your diet and exercise routine with your doctor, so they can suggest the most suitable treatment option for you. They must also be informed about any medical history you may have as well as any existing conditions or allergies you may have.
They will first need to determine your weight and measure the swelling in your limbs. Furthermore, they may inquire about any bruising, tenderness or pain in those same affected limbs.
Your doctor will also want to know whether the swelling in your legs improves when you stand. This could be an early indicator that the swelling is caused by lymphedema, rather than lipoedema.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist. They can explain the causes and treatments for lipoedema and suggest which compression garments are most beneficial for you.
Your doctor will also discuss the potential risks of surgery with you. These could include infections or an increased chance of heart disease.
Lipoedema Prevention
If you are at risk for Lipoedema, there are steps that can be taken to prevent it. These include maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and eating nutritiously.
Prevention begins with understanding your risk for Lipoedema. Speak to a health professional who is familiar with this condition, such as your family doctor or physiotherapist. This will give you the best chance for early detection and management.
Liposuction can be an effective treatment for relieving pain and swelling in some patients. Additionally, it helps remove fat from the affected area.
Consider wearing compression garments designed to reduce fat and fluid in your legs. These can be worn daily during the day and taken off before going to bed at night.
Compression can also be combined with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a form of massage used to reduce swelling and increase mobility.
Fat cells, when exposed to large amounts of fluid, must constantly strive to maintain a stable equilibrium between fat and water. This is because fat cells require plenty of blood flow in order to synthesize, store, and metabolize (release energy from) fat.
However, when the venous and lymphatic systems are unable to remove this fluid consistently, it will accumulate in fat tissue. As a result, people with high fluid levels in their bodies often suffer from chronic swelling conditions like Lymphedema.
As fat cells enlarge due to this process, the body may also enlarge their capacity for storage. If this happens in limbs that have had excessive fat accumulation, it could interfere with lymphatic vessel pathways and lead to secondary lymphedema – a condition in which the lymphatic system struggles to remove swelling effectively.
Lipoedema is currently unknown but believed to be caused by hormones. Typically, it begins during puberty and worsens during pregnancy or menopause.
Recommended readings:
- What is a Body Massage?
- Understanding the Lymphatic System
- C Section Tips For Fast Recovery
- What Are Lymph Nodes?
- What is Edema?
