What is Lipedema?
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Lipedema can affect up to 11% of women.
It occurs when fat is unevenly distributed under your skin, usually on the buttocks and legs.
What is Lipedema? What are the Symptoms of Lipedema?
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Although it starts as a cosmetic problem, it can eventually cause pain and other problems.
Lipedema can be confused with regular obesity or lymphedema.
What are the Symptoms of Lipedema?
Lipedema symptoms, as the condition progresses, fat continues to accumulate and your lower body becomes heavier. Lipemic fat can then collect in the arms.
Over time, fat cells clog the vessels of your lymphatic system, which normally helps to balance body fluid levels and protect against infection. This blockage prevents the lymph fluid from draining properly, leading to a buildup of fluid called lymphedema.
If left untreated, lipedema can lead to problems such as infections, delayed wound healing, scar-like tissue development called fibrosis and hardened skin on the legs.
Unlike obesity, it targets the legs, thighs and sometimes the arms. Unlike lymphedema, lipedema starts in the upper legs, not the lower legs. It usually affects both legs.
What is the Difference Between Cellulite and Lipedema?
Cellulite is a change in subcutaneous fat, but cellulite is primarily a cosmetic problem.
In some people the presence of cellulite may represent the earliest stage of a problem, developing into full-blown lipedema, but this is certainly not always the case.
What are the Stages of Lipedema?
During the natural course of lipoedema, tissues may undergo a progressive change.
In the first stage, the skin remains smooth but the underlying fat layer increases in size.
In the second stage of lipoedema, there are visible irregularities on the skin surface and nodules can be felt within the fatty tissue.
Stage 3 is characterized by large deposits of external tissue derived from the skin.
Is Lipedema a Common Problem?
The exact cause of lipoedema is unknown because we currently lack any diagnostic or imaging tool that would reliably identify the presence of lipoedema.
Unfortunately, there are many common features between the medical diagnosis of lipedema and the normal pattern in which women tend to accumulate excess body fat.
Other edema-forming conditions can be confused, including systemic causes of edema such as lymphedema, vascular disease, hypothyroidism and heart failure.
How is Lipedema Diagnosed?
As mentioned earlier, there is no test for lipedema. A definitive diagnosis can only be made when a trained doctor can physically assess the patient.
What are the Medical Complications of Lipedema?
The risk of infection (cellulitis) seen in lymphedema and chronic venous disease also does not occur.
However, in the later stages of lipedema, there is a marked tendency to develop abnormalities in these other two circulations.
Late-stage lipedema with lymphedema is called lipolipedema and phlebolipedema with vascular abnormalities.
How is Lipedema Diagnosed?
Lipedema is a clinical diagnosis. In other words, this diagnosis can only be supported by the tests to be performed. A definitive diagnosis cannot be made.
Lymphoscintigraphy, which we call lymphatic scintigraphy, reveals a very mild blockage in this area. In patients with true lymphedema, lymphatic ponding can be clearly seen.
In the clinic of these patients, depending on the body mass index, individuals with very thin upper bodies and very thick lower bodies are seen.
In some overweight patients (patients with a high body mass index), we can talk about lipoedema when we see lower legs that are much thicker than the upper body.
Which Researches are Useful in the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Lipedema Patients?
Since there are no diagnostic tests, there is no research to monitor the disease. If there is a concern for phlebolipedema or lipolymphedema, appropriate tests for related conditions can be performed.
How Do We Suspect Lipedema in Ourselves?
Especially our patients with a high body mass index over a certain weight report that they have lipoedema and want to undergo surgery.
In this case, first of all, the body mass index should be reduced to normal levels.
Sometimes it is observed that when patients lose weight, their lower legs return to normal limits.
Kendimizde Lipödemden Nasıl Şüpheleniriz?
So, if the body is overweight and the lower leg is more overweight, this is not certain.
First of all, weight loss measures are taken. We cannot talk about lipedema in a patient who is 1.60 cm tall and 90 kg. It is very important to reduce this patient to 65-70 kg and then make the diagnosis.
Classification of Lipedema
Phase 1
There is a 4-stage classification of lipedema. Stage 1 is a leg that is slightly more swollen than normal and a puffy structure like marshmallows when touched.
Patients complain of a swelling in their legs, especially when they stand for a long time.
There is a symptom of lipoedema that manifests as a feeling of not being normal.
In the first stage, we do not recommend surgery, but a salt-free diet and weight loss.
This is the treatment of first stage lipedema patients.
Phase 2
As the fat cells begin to swell, a compression occurs between the fascia under the skin of our legs. Notching, denting and a dimpled, protruding appearance begin to appear.
A second important situation is that since there is absolutely no lipoedema in the feet, a fold forms between the ankle and the transition area of the foot where the cells are located.
This fold starts to become more prominent over time. Likewise, at the junction of the upper leg with the knee, a folded shelf-shaped image appears.
This second stage is the period when lipedema gradually reveals itself.
Phase 1 in Lipedema
Phase 2 in Lipedema
These articles are written for informational purposes. You should consult your doctor to determine whether the procedure has been performed and the appropriate treatment for you.
