(Lipoedema) Page 2. What is Lipalgia Syndrome (Lipoedema)? Lipalgia Syndrome is a build-up of fatty (adipose/lipid) tissue that affects areas below the waist (i.e. buttocks, hips and thighs), extending down both legs equally to the ankles, but never in the feet.
Lymphedema, while presenting challenges, is not a direct threat to life expectancy. With early detection, comprehensive management strategies, and ongoing support, individuals can lead fulfilling lives. It is essential to dispel myths, address underlying causes, and adopt a proactive approach to self-care.
Lifestyle Changes for Managing Lymphedema and Lipedema
They should also avoid extreme temperatures, such as hot tubs or saunas, which can cause swelling.
This condition primarily affects women and can lead to physical discomfort and disability. Recognizing Lipedema as a distinct condition is the first step toward effective management and support.
Lipedema occurs almost exclusively in women, so scientists suspect that female hormones play a role in its development. Lipedema may also be an inherited condition. Patients frequently describe a family history of an inability to lose weight in the lower body.
It may be encouraging if you've just had a lipedema diagnosis to know that lipedema life expectancy is as long as for other people the same age. However, it's essential to recognize that there can be a serious impact on your quality of life. Lipedema, in itself, doesn't shorten your lifespan.
It is thought guaifenesin may be working as a muscle relaxant effect that occurs in these conditions. Mucinex / guaifenesin may help pain or it may work as an expectorant in lipedema tissue and thin out extracellular proteins.
Foods to Avoid with Lipedema
High-Sodium Foods: Excess salt can cause water retention, aggravating the swelling in lipedema. Avoid eating processed meats, canned soups, and salty snacks.
At home, you can perform a simple pinch test to check for lipedema. Gently pinch the skin on your thigh or calf to determine if you can grab a small fold of skin. If it is difficult to pick up a fold of skin, it might indicate the presence of lipedema.
As a result, some patients with lymphedema believe that reducing water intake can reduce swelling and fluid accumulation. While this is a fair assumption, it actually has the opposite effect. Drinking plenty of water can help manage lymphedema symptoms by promoting the body's filtration and elimination functions.
Gently pump the back of your knee in a rolling, upward motion (making a “J” shape). Repeat 10 to 15 times. Place one hand on your shin and the other hand on the back of your lower leg, just below your knee. Gently stretch the skin towards your upper leg and release.
Ozempic for Lipedema
Many lipedema patients struggle with weight management because of the distinctive fat deposition patterns. Ozempic, which reduces hunger and aids in weight loss, may alleviate some lipedema symptoms such as discomfort, swelling, and irritation.
Insurance coverage for liposuction procedures for lipedema varies widely. Some insurance companies may cover part of the costs, while others might not cover it at all. Coverage often depends on whether the procedure is deemed medically necessary.
Diosmin: Perhaps the most effective supplement to take is Diosmin, a bioflavonoid that is commonly found in citrus fruits. They can have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lymph-tonic properties that will help with your symptoms of lipedema.
Focus on Healthy Fats, Avoid Saturated Fats:
Saturated fat sources include red meat, full-fat dairy products, eggs, poultry skin, margarine, coconut oil, and palm oil (found in many packaged snacks and sweets). These fats increase cholesterol levels, promote inflammation, and can worsen lipedema symptoms.
Foods to Limit with Lymphedema
Trans-fats and saturated fats can lead to weight gain, obesity, and even an inflammatory response in the body that may cause more swelling. These fats are found in foods such as dairy products, cakes, cookies, microwave popcorn, fast food items, fatty cuts of meat, and poultry skin.
While it can be effective for some cosmetic purposes, I don't believe it's suitable for Lipedema treatment. 🙅♀️ It focuses only on specific areas rather than entire cosmetic units, and in rare cases, it can even lead to increased fat growth.
Ozempic's ability to aid in weight loss presents a glimmer of hope for those who have found little success with traditional methods. By reducing the volume of lipedema fat, Ozempic could alleviate some of the pressure and discomfort in the affected limbs.
Metformin should be considered for people with lipedema and metabolic complications. (⊕A) Metformin inhibits hypoxia-induced fibrosis in adipose tissue, 79 and can reverse fibrosis after injury.
The final stage of lipedema includes the development of lymphedema. This is the buildup of lymph fluid in the body's tissues due to damage to the lymphatic system. There is no cure for lipedema, but there are ways that a person can manage their symptoms.
There's currently no cure, but there are things that can help and stop it getting worse. Your treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are and how they're affecting you. The main treatments are: eating healthily, doing more exercise and trying to maintain a healthy weight.
Lipedema can worsen if left untreated, which can eventually lead to complications such as pain and a lack of mobility.