What Women MUST Know About Lipoedema?

What Women Should Know About Lipoedema-  a Condition That Causes Excess Fat in the Legs

 

Lipoedema is a condition that causes leg swelling. The condition is relatively common and primarily affects women. Learn about lipoedema legs, symptoms, treatment options, and the key differences between lipoedema and lymphedema.

 

What is lipoedema?

Lipoedema is a chronic medical condition that mostly affects women and causes disproportionately thick legs and thighs. The condition causes fat stores beneath the skin's surface to expand more than usual, especially in the lower body, causing pain and tenderness. Because the condition primarily affects women, some doctors and researchers believe it is caused by hormonal factors.
 
The condition may also be inherited, and someone may be more likely to develop it if one of their immediate family members has it. Other factors can have an impact on the presence of fluid retention in the body, which can lead to lipoedema.
 
Lipoedema is defined as "an excess of fluid in your body's fat stores."
 
"Lipid" refers to fat, and "edoema" is swelling caused by excess fluid accumulating in the body's tissues.
 
Lipoedema is frequently confused with lymphedema or obesity. So, how do you tell if you have lipoedema, lymphedema, or simply thick legs? First and foremost, you should speak with your doctor. Also, to figure it out, let's look at the different stages and symptoms of lipoedema.
 

Lipoedema stages

Lipoedema manifests itself in four stages and progresses over time. Lipoedema does not affect everyone in the same way. Assessing your physical appearance is the simplest way to determine what stage of lipoedema you are in.
 
 
In addition to visible lipoedema changes, there are less visible symptoms such as pain, bruising, swelling, and loss of mobility. As lipoedema progresses, these symptoms can change, affecting joint health and overall quality of life.
 

Lipoedema or lymphedema

While both conditions cause swelling and usually begin in puberty, lipoedema swelling is caused by an excess of fluid in fat cells in the legs. Lymphedema, on the other hand, is caused by a fluid build-up caused by missing, blocked, or malfunctioning lymph nodes. Lymphedema can be present at birth or develop after a lymph node biopsy, dissection, or other medical procedure that affects the lymph nodes, such as radiation.
 
Other distinctions between lipoedema and lymphedema include:
 

Lipoedema symptoms

Lipoedema is characterised by swelling in the lower extremities. The swelling usually affects both legs at the same time, though the fat folds and bulges may be asymmetrical from one leg to the other. In some cases, the arms may also swell, whereas the wrist and ankle joints do not. Because lipoedema does not affect the hands or feet, this can result in a band-like or bracelet appearance.
 
Lipoedema can also cause the following symptoms:
 

Lipoedema causes

Lipoedema does not have a single identifiable cause. Because lipoedema can occur during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause, one possible cause is thought to be the hormonal influences of oestrogen.

 
Is lipoedema genetic?

Genetics is another possible cause of primary lipoedema. The majority of cases — up to 64% of women with the condition — have a family history of lipoedema. Health care providers and researchers believe that the genetic pattern for lipoedema is passed down on the maternal side, but no specific gene for the condition has been identified to date.
 

Other lipoedema causes

Secondary lipoedema occurs as a result of other medical conditions, diseases, or illnesses. Lipoedema is common in people with Prader-Willi syndrome, Sotos syndrome, or Williams-Beuren syndrome, as well as those with skin elasticity disorders such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum and cutis laxa type III.
 
Another study found a link between lipoedema and joint hypermobility.

 
Lipoedema treatment options

There is no cure for lipoedema, but there are several treatment options. Treatments help to alleviate symptoms while also maintaining quality of life. Speak with your doctor about the best option for you.
 
Early-stage lipoedema treatment options include:
 
If your lipoedema worsens, your doctor may suggest liposuction (suction lipectomy) to reduce the size and shape of protruding fatty tissues. While liposuction does not cure lipoedema, it can prevent the formation of new fat cells and slow the rate of fatty tissue growth. Liposuction can also help with mobility, quality of life, and pain relief associated with lipoedema.
 
Certain liposuction procedures or larger procedures, such as surgical debulking, may not be advised if there is a risk of secondary lymphedema as a result of the procedure.
 
If a person with lipoedema has other health conditions, illnesses, or obesity, health care providers may recommend a variety of treatment options or weight loss plans based on the individual's needs.
 

In summary

Lipoedema is a chronic medical condition characterised by swelling of fatty tissues in the lower legs. The condition primarily affects women and can manifest during hormonal transitions such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
 
While there is no cure for lipoedema, there are non-surgical and surgical treatment options to help manage the symptoms. If you have lipoedema symptoms, consult your doctor to determine the best treatment option for you.

• The first stage of lipoedema manifests as an increase in fat tissue beneath the skin's surface. Fat accumulates gradually from the hips and buttocks down the legs to the knees and ankles. As fat storage cells develop, smooth skin may become dimpled and uneven.

• The second stage is characterised by the formation of large mounds of lipomas (fat tissue) throughout the legs.

• Lipoedema will have progressed to the third stage when the legs have become bulbous, with mounds of fat bulging under the skin in uneven formations along the legs. Fat folds form along the inner knees, and the overall thickness of the legs may increase.

• Lip lymphedema is the fourth stage. When the condition progresses to include both lipoedema and lymphedema, this occurs. Arms, midsection, and legs have large folds of skin and fat tissue that protrude and hang from the body.

• Lipoedema primarily affects women, whereas lymphedema can affect anyone.

• Lipoedema is associated with a family history in 40% of cases, whereas lymphedema is associated with a family history in only 20% of cases.

• Lymphedema almost always results in swollen feet, whereas lipoedema almost never results in swollen feet.

• Lipoedema patients have normal to thin skin, whereas lymphedema patients have thick to firm skin.

• Lipoedema patients experience more pain and tenderness than lymphedema patients.

• Lipoedema causes consistent and consistent fatty swelling, whereas lymphedema causes variable fluid retention swelling.

• Lipoedema is associated with obesity, whereas lymphedema is not.

• Dieting has no effect on the appearance or presence of fat on the legs of people who have lipoedema. Dieting, on the other hand, can result in evenly distributed weight loss for someone with lymphedema.

• In the affected areas, there may be pain, aching, or tenderness.

• Simple bruising

• In the affected areas, the skin is cool to the touch.

• The affected areas have a doughy feel or appearance.

• Fluid retention has improved (lymphedema)

• Impaired mobility

• Varicose veins

• Psychological consequences include social isolation, depression, and low self-esteem.

• Compression therapy is being used to prevent further edoema.

• Developing or maintaining an active lifestyle that includes regular exercise such as walking

• Strength and conditioning exercises can help maintain mobility and prevent lipoedema from worsening.

• Weight loss programmes designed to lower the risk of developing other weight-related health complications

• Changes in diet can help reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.