Lipoedema
What is Lipoedema?
Lipoedema is a condition that mostly affects women and is characterised by a symmetrical swelling in the legs, thighs and buttocks, and sometimes the arms. It is rare in men.
Lipoedema can be extremely painful. The affected areas can be tender and there is a general tendency to bruise easily. Over time, lipoedema can result in fluid retention in the affected parts, resulting in a medical condition called Lymphoedema
Lipoedema may have a genetic basis, as in some cases there is a family history of the condition.
Sometimes lipoedema is mistaken for excessive lymphoedema, weight gain, obesity or cellulite or is assumed to be due to a lack of exercise.
While lipoedema may contribute to obesity and a person with obesity can have lipoedema, obesity and lipoedema are 2 separate conditions. Obesity can be managed by diet and exercise, however lipoedema does not seem to be impacted as much (or at all in some cases) by them.
Lipoedema can have a significant impact on quality of life.
There are diverse opinions and evidence about lipoedema, with much still be to be learnt about the condition.
Symptoms of lipoedema
Lipoedema occurs because of the way that fat (adipose tissue) and its supporting connective tissues are distributed under your skin.
Fat is distributed unevenly in your legs and buttocks instead of in a regular pattern. Commonly there is a fatty area on the inside of the knees and the outside of the hips. As lipoedema develops, dimpling of the skin in the affected areas may be noticed.
If you are affected by lipoedema:
- your legs appear symmetrically swollen – swelling can occur from the hips down to the ankles and your legs appear column-like, the feet are not usually affected
- affected areas feel ‘spongy’ and cool, and the skin is generally soft and may appear dimply
- you bruise easily in the affected areas
- you may have small varicose spider vains in the affected areas
- your legs and other affected areas are sensitive to touch and pressure
- your legs and other affected areas hurt and feel uncomfortable – swelling may become worse in the afternoon, evening, after activity or in hot or humid weather.
People with lipoedema may find it difficult to walk or to participate in physical activities, exercise and other aspects of everyday life.
Restrictions in mobility may contribute to people with lipoedema developing low self esteem and other problems such as anxiety as well as restricting their social life. Buying clothes is often difficult for people with lipoedema, as their upper and lower body are very different in size.
Causes of lipoedema
The irregular build-up of fat cells that is seen in lipoedema can occur in people in all weight ranges, from those who are excessively overweight to those who are underweight. It can also affect those who have an eating disorder such as anorexia.
The causes of lipoedema are still not clear, but may be related to female hormonal changes. You also have a greater risk of developing the condition if other earlier generations of women in your family are affected by lipoedema. Lipoedema may develop or get worse:
- at puberty
- when you are pregnant
- after trauma as it can be a trigger for lipoedema
- during menopause
Treatment for lipoedema
Unlike fat that is accumulated when you gain weight, the fat in lipoedema areas does not decrease if you diet (by reducing calories) or exercise.
Treatment for lipoedema includes:
- changes to the composition of your diet – We here at Simple Balance Therapies can assist in helping maintain a healthy weight which helps to reduce the amount of non-lipoedemic
- fat and may help to reduce inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet may help, but calorie reduction diets are not likely to affect the lipoedema-linked fatty areas of your body. Nutrition link to be added
- compression – bandages are used to tightly squeeze (compress) the affected areas https://serranova.ie/lipoedema-gaments/
- exercise – low impact exercise such as swimming helps to increase your mobility and improve circulation
- MLD massage – helps to improve your mobility and move the fluids from the affected area.
- liposuction – this technique removes the lipoedemic fat from the affected areas. It involves placing a tube beneath the skin and suctioning the fat away. This is carried out out a specialised surgeon. Before undergoing any surgical intervention for lipoedema, proper preparation is crucial. Simple Balance Therapies specialises in presurgical management to optimise your condition for the best possible outcomes (click here for more details)
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): Gentle massage techniques to stimulate lymphatic flow and reduce swelling.
- Compression Garment Fitting: Customised compression garments to provide support and minimise fluid accumulation. Compression is required after liposuction to maintain the reduction
- Education: Detailed guidance on preoperative care, including skin hygiene, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments.