The clinical picture of lipedema has received increased attention in recent years, not only in the medical community but also in the public media. This is understandable, as it is a relatively common disease among women, with studies showing an incidence of around 10%. Overall, it is assumed that there are a large number of unreported cases due to widespread ignorance.
Lipedema is a chronic and painful fat distribution disorder characterized by an excessive, symmetrical proliferation of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the extremities of women. In most cases, the symmetrical fat deposits affect the legs, and more rarely the arms. In addition to the visible fat deposits, there are regularly occurring noticeable complaints such as pain and increased pressure sensitivity of the skin. In addition, those affected tend to store more water in their tissue during the course of the day, which leads to the formation of so-called oedema.
The symptoms often appear or worsen during phases of hormonal change (puberty, hormone intake, pregnancy, menopause). The change is the decisive trigger factor, not the hormones themselves.
Many patients only seek medical advice when neither exercise nor various diet attempts have been able to resolve the problem. It is important to start treatment as early as possible to stop or at least delay the progression of lipoedema.
There is symmetrical, uncontrolled fat accumulation in the legs, and more rarely in the arms. In addition to the visible increase in fat, there are regularly occurring noticeable complaints such as pain and increased pressure sensitivity of the skin. In addition, those affected tend to store more water in the tissue during the course of the day, which leads to the formation of so-called edemas.
The exact causes of lipoedema have not yet been fully researched. However, it is assumed that a hereditary predisposition and hormonal changes such as puberty or pregnancy play a role in the development of the disease. This was discovered because many patients reported affected female blood relatives. Genetic factors can therefore be assumed. Likewise, the frequent manifestation during puberty, but also during pregnancy or menopause, suggests hormonal influences. In this case, the hormonal change is the decisive trigger factor, i.e. both an increase and a decrease in the estrogen level can affect lipedema if there is a corresponding predisposition. Scientific data is not available on this.
Although the causes of lipoedema have not yet been conclusively clarified, one thing is certain: nutrition and body weight can worsen the condition, but they have no major influence on its development. This is already evident from the fact that slender women can develop the fat distribution disorder just as much as normal and overweight women.
Under the microscope, a slightly increased number of inflammatory cells can be seen in the adipose tissue of lipedema as a sign of a slight, creeping inflammation. The spontaneous and stabbing pain is triggered by these inflammatory cells in the lipedema adipose tissue. This is because they irritate the nerves, which triggers the stabbing pain in the pathologically altered adipose tissue.
In addition to this spontaneous pain, lipedema is also characterized by its pressure painfulness. In addition to the proliferation and enlargement of fat cells, blood capillaries become more permeable, causing fluid to collect in the tissue. This causes the pressure in the tissue to increase in lipedema. The consequences are a feeling of tension and increased sensitivity to pressure and touch. In addition, patients tend to bruise more easily due to the more fragile capillaries. Even barely noticeable knocks can cause these hematomas, as bruises are colloquially known, under the skin.
There is no cure for lipedema, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing further fat accumulation. Treatment includes compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise and physical activity, and a healthy diet. Liposuction, in which the abnormal fat deposits are surgically reduced, is considered to be a very effective treatment option.
Many patients only seek medical advice when neither exercise nor various dietary attempts have been able to solve the problem. It is important to seek treatment as early as possible to stop or at least delay the progression of lipedema.
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