Lipedema Blog

As Maya Angelou put it, “I’m interested in women’s health because I’m a woman. I’d be a darn fool not to be on my own side.” This National Women’s Health and Fitness Day was developed and is hosted every year by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, with a focus on how important regular physical activity and awareness of our personal health is. While you can check out hundreds of resources and tips for women’s health and fitness on the USDA website here, we’ve put together 5

An estimated 17-million women in the U.S. and nearly 370 million women across the globe suffer from a condition known as Lipedema. What is regularly associated with rapid and uncontrollable weight gain in its initial stages can quickly spiral out of control if left undiagnosed. Lipedema is a disease that leads to the excessive buildup of fat cells, primarily in the arms and legs. Going far beyond the appearance of extra pounds, those who suffer from Lipedema often have large pockets of fat on their limbs that appear disproportionate in

If you are dealing with the symptoms of lipedema, you may notice relief when you perform simple exercises such as deep breathing on a regular basis. The lymphatic fluid in our bodies does not circulate on its own with a “pump” such as our blood does through the circulatory system. Instead, our lymph flow can achieve a greater balance when we stimulate our muscles and joints with soft activities. Deep breathing is one such activity that can offer benefits, including decongestion in the lymphatic system. What Are Deep Breathing Exercises?

Chronic swelling (also referred to as “edema”) in the legs is a risk factor for eventually developing cellulitis. A recent study showed that swelling of the legs from any cause leads to an increased risk for leg skin infections or cellulitis. For women suffering from Lipedema, this can add insult to injury in an already debilitating disease accompanied by sensitive and easily bruised skin. If left untreated, cellulitis can move into the lymph nodes and bloodstream and require more serious medical treatment. Symptoms of cellulitis may include the following: Red

  Lipedema is a subcutaneous fat disorder that primarily affects the extremities, and often affects lymphatic circulation. Until now, there have been no biomarkers or available for a conclusive diagnosis. Lipedema is thought to affect at least 11% of the female population worldwide. It is inherited in 60% of women, likely through genes affecting microvessels resulting in excess fluid bound to glycosaminoglycans in the interstitial space. Because lipedema is consistently associated with functional alterations of the lymphatic vasculature, it is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema, and molecular mechanisms of

Lipedema continues to be a poorly identified condition where diagnoses are often avoided by US physicians. Identifying lipedema involves a clinical evaluation from a medical physician with expert knowledge regarding this condition. Two factors that are critical in finding a proper lipedema diagnosis include identifying an abnormal fat deposition in impacted areas and identifying symptoms of lipedema. Obesity vs Abnormal Fat Accumulation Far too often Lipedema is misdiagnosed as obesity. The abnormal fat deposition of lipedema is very different from obesity. Individuals with lipedema typically accumulate disproportionate fat in soft

When most think of lipedema, they think of the changes in size the body will go through as the disproportionate fat tissue accumulates. This fat tissue is disproportionate, as it typically builds up most around the lower extremities such as the hips and thighs. This change can hurt the way you think you look and harm your social relationships. However, lipedema can do much more than just harm your self-confidence. Lipedema causes arthritic symptoms similar to that of degenerative joint disease. This condition disables most individuals, causing them mobility issues.

Each year the country stops and takes a month to give more awareness to lipedema and those who have been diagnosed with it. June has been designated as Lipedema Awareness Month and has been observed for several years now. Take a look at what you should know about his important month each year: History of Lipedema When observing Lipedema Awareness Month, it is important to understand the start of lipedema itself. Lipedema was first recognized in 1940 by Mayo Clinic physicians Dr. Edgar Hines and Dr. Edgar Allen. They specifically

Before you start looking for more invasive treatments to help reduce the symptoms of your lipedema, you should start with conservative steps. Your nutrition plays a key factor in maintaining some symptoms of lipedema. We recommend following a Rare Adipose Disorder (RAD) diet. This type of diet is actually a modification to a standard Mediterranean diet that helps you maintain a low glycemic index. In order to do this, it is recommended that you avoid any refined or processed starches and sugars. These are usually found in pasta, rice, bread,

One of the most common symptoms of lipedema that is observed in all stages is swelling. This symptom is due to an increased amount of extracellular water causing the swelling. This extracellular water is lymphatic fluid that contains hundreds of inflammatory compounds that are responsible for fibrosis that drives the progression of lipedema. The increase of water will only increase with each further stage. One of the most frequently recommended forms of care for swelling and pain is wearing compression garments. This step in our multidisciplinary approach is typically recommended