Unlike normal fat accumulation, fat areas resulting from lipedema tend to be very tender if you apply pressure and may be easy to bruise. The fat deposits can also hurt for no apparent reason, and the skin can become less elastic feeling.
Many people confuse lipedema fat and general fat that forms as a result of being overweight. Though they may appear similar, that isn't at all the case. There's a clear difference between regular fat and lipedema fatty tissue that the trained eye can pick out.
Lipoedema is an abnormal build-up of fat in your legs and sometimes arms. It can be painful and affect daily life, but there are things you can do that may help.
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.
Liposuction is the only treatment available to lipedema patients that eliminates the troublesome fat deposits from the legs, hips, buttocks, stomach, and/or arms. Liposuction enables doctors to improve the look of the legs and restore better mobility for the long-term.
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.
Why is it so important to reduce excess weight? “Being overweight and the associated metabolic changes make every oedema worse. Lipoedema patients can lose weight too. The legs will still look different to the upper body, even after weight reduction, but the symptoms are reduced.”
Lipedema is sometimes characterized by pain and diet-resistant fat tissue accumulation in the subcutaneous tissue. This means that it is very difficult for us lipedema patients to lose fat in the affected areas through diet or exercise.
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.
The question of, “Why lipedema fat is hard to lose with lifestyle changes while non-lipedema fat can be lost?” remains unanswered. One theory is that size of the fat cells and the geloid layer of hyaluronic acid and water move the fat cells farther away from blood vessels and therefore slow the release of fat.
affected areas of your body can bruise easily, sometimes for no obvious reason. dimpled legs with a lumpy texture, fat may bulge at the knees.
The medical term for 'skinny fat' is technically MONW or “metabolically obese, normal weight” and “Sarcopenic obesity”. Skinny fat people are often a normal weight (or underweight!) but because of their sedentariness, lack of muscle, or poor diet, they have a high percentage of body fat.
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.
Lipomas (small nodules) may be felt in the fat. Chronic pain may develop. Some oedema fluid may be present. Stage 3 (severe lipoedema): shape changes are emphasised, fat bulges or abdominal 'apron' cause difficulties with walking; general weight gain has complicated lipoedema.
The only way to ultimately stop the advanced stages of lipedema is through surgical intervention, such as water-assisted liposuction, in which our physician, Dr. Daniel J.
Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine and Diuretics
Because the body is more prone to hold onto excess liquid when it feels dehydrated, drinking enough water is especially important for those with lymphedema so they can maintain a healthy fluid and chemical balance.
Avoid diuretics (“water pills”), alcohol and caffeine.
They both could dilate the lymph tissue and cause more swelling, and as a result, exacerbate the lymphedema.
Age of onset: 10 to 30. Family history: Common. Areas affected: Buttocks, legs, thighs, arms.
Lipedema almost exclusively occurs in women, with the onset typically by the third decade of life. The classic appearance of lipedema includes bilateral and symmetrical involvement of the lower extremities, with sparing of the feet (Fig.
A simple pinch test can often tell you whether you have lipedema. To do this, pinch the skin lightly in the areas of the body that may be affected. If you experience disproportionate pain, you may suspect lipedema.