Lipedema: What is this little-known disease that affects one in ten women?

 

Lipedema

An abnormal accumulation of fat on both sides of the lower body, mainly in the legs, is called lipedema. It could be in your arms, though. It may hurt and make going about everyday tasks challenging. Unlike regular fat, lipedema does not react to diet and exercise. While there isn't a cure for lipedema, there are therapies that can improve your condition.

Lipedema is an unknown disease that is often mistaken for obesity. Sufferers, who are mostly women, are advised to change their lifestyle as a treatment. However, lipedema is more serious and complex than that, and its treatment is not just weight loss.

What do we know about it so far and how can it be combated?

According to the Lipodystrophies research group, lipedema is an uncontrolled accumulation of fat cells in the body. Although it occurs mostly in the legs, it can also affect the hips and arms. This results in a disproportion between the waist and legs.

Currently, there is no test to diagnose it, but it is diagnosed based on the patient's medical history, physical examination, and other medical conditions present in the affected person.

Lipedema was not classified as a disease until 2018

Although this disease was first mentioned in 1940, it has not received much attention during the last few decades.

In May 2018, the World Health Organization recognized it as a disease and in the same year, the first consensus document on lipedema was prepared in Spain.

Lipedema was initially thought to be caused by fluid accumulation or inflammation in the body parts, but currently, there is no evidence that inflammation or pain in the body parts are symptoms.

For this reason, it is also suggested that 'lipedema' be replaced by 'lipalgia syndrome' (accumulation of fat).

A very important feature of lipedema is pain when the tissue is touched. It is accompanied by other health problems, such as joint and muscle problems and sleep disturbances.

Lipedema Types

Depending on where your symptoms are located, you could have multiple types of lipedema at the same time. Lipedema comes in various forms

Type I: The fat lies between the belly button and hips.

Type II: The fat lies between the knees and the pelvis.

Type III: The fat lies between the ankles and the pelvis.

Type IV: The fat lies between your wrist and shoulder.

Type V: The fat lies between your ankles and knees.

Hormonal Changes in Women

We don't know the precise cause of lipedema. However, 20 to 60 percent of cases of the illness run in families, so you could inherit it This disease can be caused by many other factors, one of which is hormonal and it affects mostly women. According to some studies, around one in ten women suffer from it, although the lack of diagnostic methods and lack of information about lipedema means we don't know the exact number of people affected.

What we do know is that women develop lipedema during hormonal changes such as

·         Puberty

·        Pregnancy

·        Menopause

·        The use of contraceptives.

· Although obesity is not the cause of lipedema, over half of those who suffer from it have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above.

All these conditions lead to fluctuations in hormones, especially estrogen. A genetic factor is also suspected as the disease has been found in the families of a large number of patients.

Symptoms of Lipedema  

Symptoms of lipedema include:

·         Fat accumulation in your butt, thighs, calves, and occasionally upper arms on both sides of your body.

·         Bumps within the fat that give you the impression that something is under your skin.

·         Pain varies from moderate too intense in intensity, and that only happens under pressure.

·         A sensation of weight in your legs.

·         Swelling.

·         Skin prone to bruising.

·         Weary (feeling more worn out than normal).

 

How to Combat this?

Attitudes towards lipedema have been constantly changing in recent decades and will certainly continue to do so in the years to come. The most common treatment is surgery, a technique such as 'liposuction', as this can remove fat-producing tissue.

In addition, the complexity of the disease calls for a multidisciplinary approach to combating it, as outlined at the 2022 European Lipedema Forum. The patient must be very active in self-treatment. It is also important for the patient to adopt habits that will improve his health in the long run.

 

Here are some important points in this regard:

Physiotherapy

It is very important to educate patients with lipedema so that they understand what it is and what habits can be beneficial for them.

Through physiotherapy, the patient is encouraged to incorporate certain activities into his daily life while also giving suggestions regarding exercise.

 

Compression Therapy

Wearing compression stockings or bandages will not reduce fat-producing tissue, but studies in healthy people show that compression has a positive effect on fat-producing tissue.

However, it is important to use these types of stockings or bandages only after the advice and examination of a physician.

 

Consider the Weight

Although lipedema is a disease in itself, a large number of patients are obese, and weight gain worsens the disease.

Therefore, weight loss is not a cure, but people suffering from obesity, or other serious diseases should try to lose weight.

 

Psychological Treatment

Many patients are reluctant to accept their physical condition or are not happy with their physical features due to societal pressure. People with lipedema may also be stressed, which can add to their discomfort.

It is up to the clinicians to identify which patients need psychological treatment or support.

 

Healthy Food

The patient needs to eat a healthy diet and be aware of the consequences of their eating habits. In this regard, the guidance of a specialist can prove to be important.

The journey to a diagnosis of lipedema is complicated because it is still an unknown disease for many health professionals, but the first step in this difficult journey can be to share your experiences with other patients.

The scientific community needs to continue its research to find out the causes of this disease, its diagnosis, and the best treatment for patients.

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