An
obesity epidemic continues to sweep the country and efforts are
increasing to fight the growing number of people affected. Health
care providers have consistently endorsed healthy eating and regular
exercise as a way to combat obesity and weight gain. But for a
significant number of women across the country, dieting and exercise
will not make a difference. That’s because they are not suffering
from obesity. They have a lymphatic and metabolic disorder called
lipedema.
Lipedema involves the extra deposit and expansion of fat cells
in a distinct pattern on the body, usually from just below the
waist to right above the ankles. In some cases, the arms and torso
can be affected. A person with lipedema can appear quite skinny
from the waist up, but obese from the waist down. The fat distribution
occurs on both sides of the body in a similar fashion.
Lipedema predominantly affects women. It can be inherited and
can occur in women of any size.
“It is most likely a hormonal disturbance because men don’t
typically suffer from lipedema,” said Guenter Klose, a pioneering
therapist who helped establish treatments in the United States
for lymphatic diseases, especially lymphedema.
Lymphedema is a swelling of a body part and the result of abnormal
accumulation of lymph fluid. The condition can develop in untreated
lipedema patients, and at that point the disease is known as lipo-lymphedema.
Based in Red Bank, N.J., Klose is a National Lipedema Association
scientific advisory board member.
Lipedema typically manifests at puberty, but it can show up or
worsen after a pregnancy, after gynecological surgery or at the
start of menopause. As the disease progresses, patients with lipedema
can experience a host of problems. Patients can experience painful
swelling, bruising, infections, and fibrosis, which is the formation
of scar-like tissue.
Unlike the fat associated with obesity, lipedemic fat cannot be
exercised away. In addition, this fat tissue does not respond or
reduce with diet, Klose said. As a result, undiagnosed patients
end up frustrated and confused.
There is currently no cure for lipedema and the limited treatments
available focus on alleviating symptoms.
“Compression garments and manual lymphatic drainage can
help reduce pressure sensitivity,” Klose said. “The
results are gradual and it requires a lot of patience and dedication
to the program by the patient.”
The National Lipedema Association is working to improve care for
the condition by promoting research, as well as better recognition
of the condition by both health care professionals and patients.
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