Lipoedema is a genetic fat disorder that affects 11% of Australian women with various presentations. There is no simple blood test or scan to diagnose Lipoedema, so the diagnosis is made by history and physical examination.
There is no simple blood test or scan to diagnose lipoedema and the diagnosis is made on taking a full history and examination. Classic Patient History: It generally affects women usually with a strong family history of lipoedema. There have been some rare cases with males being affected.
The tissue tenderness that is characteristic of lipedema can be checked with the pinch test, which is often felt as very unpleasant in the affected areas but causes no pain elsewhere. Increased capillary fragility manifests itself in spontaneous hematoma formation.
Your general practitioner (GP) or an experienced nurse is likely to be your first contact person when you notice any signs or symptoms of lipoedema. Your HCP will carry out a medical examination of your body, including your skin and soft tissues, and the function of the arteries and veins.
Lipoedema sufferers receive little or no government support with the condition not currently being recognised by Medicare.
Obesity is the result of being overweight, which can cause fat to develop in the legs. Lipedema is the disproportionate setting of fat in arms and legs, unrelated to body weight, often associated with prominent swelling, common pain, and a column-like look. Lipedema can appear in both thin and obese individuals alike.
Lipedema doesn't respond to diet and exercise like ordinary fat. Although there isn't a cure for lipedema, treatments can help you feel better.
Lipedema requires a clinical diagnosis, meaning that there is no standardized test such as bloodwork or imaging that can confirm the presence of Lipedema.
Lipedema is often confused with lymphedema, a similar disease that also causes swelling in the limbs. But under the microscope, the two disorders look different, and the causes, while similar, involve different effects on the vasculature. Both are often confused with obesity.
A helpful diagnostic tool to distinguish lipedema from lymphedema is to pinch the skin over the dorsum of the base of the second toe (Stemmer sign); thickened skin that is difficult to lift off of the underlying tissue is considered diagnostic for lymphedema.
Stage 1. In this early stage, it may be difficult to distinguish lipedema from excess fat on the lower body. Instead, providers look for certain characteristics, including: Extra fat in the buttocks, thighs, and calves, but not in the ankles or feet.
In early-stage lipoedema, you may have heavy legs, a narrow waist and a much smaller upper body. You may have a large bottom, thighs and lower legs, but your feet will usually be unaffected. Sometimes lipoedema can affect the arms too, but the hands are not usually affected.
Age of onset: 10 to 30. Family history: Common. Areas affected: Buttocks, legs, thighs, arms.
Vascular surgeons, in fact, are one of the few medical professions where you can find Lipedema diagnosis and management as a core requirement of their advanced medical training programs. A vascular medicine specialist will carefully consider differentiating Lipedema vs lymphedema and also from other conditions.
A ultrasound can show superficial or deep, bilateral or unilateral vascular insufficiency associated with (or not with) lipedema. As this disease is still not well known in France, even by health professionals, not all angiologists can diagnose lipedema.
It happens when fat is distributed in an irregular way beneath your skin, usually in the buttocks and legs. Although it begins as a cosmetic concern, it can eventually cause pain and other problems. Lipedema can be mistaken for regular obesity or lymphedema.
However, there is a stark difference between cellulite and lipedema. Lipedema is a medical condition that can result in pain, bruising, and swelling. On the other hand, cellulite is purely cosmetic and doesn't result in pain or require treatment.
Stage 2 (moderate lipoedema): fat bulges or lobes are more obvious at the knees and may influence gait. Arms and abdomen may be affected. Lipomas (small nodules) may be felt in the fat. Chronic pain may develop.
Estrogen, a key regulator of adipocyte lipid and glucose metabolism, and female-associated body fat distribution are postulated to play a contributory role in the pathophysiology of lipedema.
Results. Lipedema is a foe because lifestyle change does not reduce lipedema fat, the fat is painful, can become obese, causes gait and joint abnormalities, fatigue, lymphedema and psychosocial distress. Hypermobility associated with lipedema can exacerbate joint disease and aortic disease.
For some women it is impossible to lose weight because of an under-diagnosed autoimmune disorder many people have never heard of called lipedema.
Aerobic exercises such as swimming, walking and cycling are especially recommended because they increase lymphatic drainage and improve blood flow through the affected limbs. High impact exercising (i.e. jogging, step-aerobics) or contact sports are better avoided as they may exacerbate join pain and lead to bruising.
Traditionally, most common features of lipedema is excessive fatty tissue deposition in the lower extremities, buttocks, hips, legs, even abdomen. Because of abnormal connective tissue strength and large amount of fatty tissue accumulation, abdominal or stomach skin is extra prone to stretching, loosening and pain.
Magnesium. This supplement is often used by those suffering from lipedema. It cannot be considered as effective, as it does not in itself have a direct action on the complications of lipedema.