The fat itself is also different. Fat accumulation associated with being overweight is smooth with a rubbery texture. Lipedema fat is marble-like, knotty, or feels like little pearls to the touch.
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.
Lipedema, obesity and 'lipo-lymphedema' (lipedema with simultaneous lymphedema) are most effectively diagnosed by physical examination with palpation combined with an examination of patient clinical history and family history, rather than through diagnostic tests (ref 1, 12, 13).
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.
Most lipedema patients can easily self-diagnose their fat deposition disorder through online research, but it's the official medical diagnosis that will ultimately free them of guilt, indignity, and confusion.
Anecdotally, patients have not shown loss of lipedemic fat after extreme caloric restrictive diets. However, healthy eating is very important for people with lipedema as the growth of normal fat is thought to promote lipedema fat growth.
Lipoedema (Painful Fat Syndrome) is a progressive condition that affects many women. 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.
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.
Lipedema is triggered by fluctuating hormones and most commonly seen with early stages of it affecting women in their 30's. This medical condition resembles other lifestyle concerns like poor diet and exercise and is frequently misunderstood as “weight issues” for most women.
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 subtle. you bruise easily in the affected areas.
Stage 1 – Mild: Smooth skin appears dimpled and uneven as fat deposition develops on your thighs and around your knees. Stage 2 – Moderate: Uneven skin with large mounds of fat tissue develop throughout the legs.
Lipedema is metabolically the opposite of obesity – both are associated with excess fat accumulation, however, obesity presents with fat accumulated in the central area of the body, primarily in the abdomen, and is associated with diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular ...
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.
Patients with lipedema (or lipoedema) can experience an abnormal buildup of body fat in different areas of the body. While this accumulation of lipedema fat occurs most in the legs, thighs, and arms, areas such as the stomach and the hips are possible too.
Lipedema and cellulite appear to be very similar to one another, as both can cause your skin to dimple and become uneven, sometimes referred to as a mattress appearance.
If left undiagnosed, it leads to more risk of health concerns and in most cases, emotional issues. Although Lipedema starts off as a cosmetic concern for women, if left untreated, it can have life-threatening consequences. Affecting up to 11% of women, Lipedema becomes a painful and, in some cases, crippling disorder.
Pressure on the legs can cause significant pain making it uncomfortable for lipedema patients to get massages of the legs or wear compression stockings. Hormonal fluctuations, like menstrual cycles, can worsen symptoms. Some people with lipedema also have vein disease which can complicate their condition and treatment.
Aerobic exercises such as swimming, walking and cycling are especially recommended because they increase lymphatic drainage and improve blood flow through the affected limbs.
Cost. Lipedema is not currently recognised by Medicare as a rebatable medical condition, so surgery attracts no Medicare or private health insurance support and is very expensive.
Symptoms of lipedema include: Fat build-up in buttocks, thighs, calves, and sometimes the upper arms. Diuretics, elevating your legs and support stockings do not help the affected areas. There is typically no swelling in feet, or hands unless the patient has chronic venous insufficiency or lymphedema.
The inflammation state present in lipedema can be limited by controlling the glycemic peaks. Specifically, the ketogenic diet (KD) seems to have the right conditions to be effective.
As exercise will not reduce lipedema fat, exercise is essential to maintain good health. Exercise will help to reduce stress on the joints, increase lymphatic flow, and make you feel better psychologically.