Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Making a diagnosis
• Part 2 of 3: Symptoms
• Part 3 of 3: What causes lipedema?
• Tips
• Warnings

Lipedema, or morbid obesity syndrome, is a disorder characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the lower body. This disease is more common in women, but in rare cases, it can also affect men. It is almost impossible for a person with lipedema to lose weight in the lower body, even if they can do it in the upper body. With lipedema, the lower limbs hurt on palpation and bruises easily.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Making a diagnosis

1. 1 Make an appointment with your doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose you. If your healthcare provider is not particularly familiar with this area of ​​medicine, they may refer you to a specialist who will examine you and determine if it is lipedema or some other medical condition.
   • Because of the symptoms this condition has, some people are embarrassed to discuss them with their doctor. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and if the diagnosis of lipedema is confirmed, then the sooner you see a doctor, the more effective the treatment will be.
2. 2 Learn about the stages of lipedema. As with other disorders and diseases, treatment of lipedema is most effective in the early stages rather than later. There are four stages in the development of the disease.
   • In the first stage, the skin is still smooth; during the day, swelling may occur, which will subside after a short rest. At this stage, the disease responds well to treatment.
   • In the second stage, depressions and lipomas (fatty swelling) may develop on the skin. You may get eczema or a skin infection called erysipelas. During the day, you may still experience swelling that does not completely subside even after resting or lifting your legs above your heart. At this stage, your body still responds well to treatment.
   • In the third stage, hardening of the connective tissue may occur. At this stage, the swelling does not subside, no matter how much rest you have and whether you lift your legs above the level of your heart. You may also have saggy skin. The disease is still treatable, but some treatments will no longer be as effective.
   • In the fourth stage, the symptoms of the third stage will worsen. At this stage, some experts call the disease lipo-lymphodema. The treatment, as in the third stage, is still worth trying, but you will no longer respond to some treatments.
3. 3 Find out what your doctor will look for. The best way to make a diagnosis is by visual inspection of the affected area. The doctor can feel the area for the presence of fatty inclusions that occur during the disease. In addition, the doctor will also ask you if you feel pain and will ask you to describe when the swelling subsides or increases, and if it happens at all.
   • At the moment, there is no blood test that can tell your doctor for sure whether you have lipedema or not.

Part 2 of 3: Symptoms

1. 1 Pay attention to swelling in the lower extremities. This is the most common and overt symptom of this disease. Swelling usually occurs in both limbs, affecting the thighs and buttocks. Edema can be either gradual or with a pronounced difference between the lower body and the upper body.
   • For example, people with lipedema may be very thin above the waist but disproportionately thicker below it.
2. 2 The feet are often of normal size. The swelling can be localized in the legs and stop at the level of the ankles. This will make your legs look like pillars.
   • It is worth noting that the symptoms are not always the same. There may be no swelling in the leg at all, or it will start from the ankles and reach the thighs. Some patients may have only small pockets of fatty deposits above each ankle.
3. 3 The upper arms can also be affected. Although most people experience symptoms in the lower body, the same symptoms can occur in the upper arms. The body fat in the arms will be the same as in the legs. This means that fat accumulation can occur in both hands.
   • The fat will make the upper arms look like a pillar. Fat stops abruptly at the level of the elbows or wrists.
4. 4 Check if you feel cold when you touch your skin. People with lipedema find that the skin is cold to the touch in the affected areas. The skin can also be soft and doughy.
   • In addition, the affected area may be tender to palpation and mild bruising.

Part 3 of 3: What causes lipedema?

1. 1 The causes of the disease are still not fully understood. Although doctors have some suspicions, they are still not sure what exactly causes lipedema. Unfortunately, ignorance of the cause complicates the treatment of the disease.
   • Give your doctor as much information as possible about your health and genetic history to help them identify possible causes and treatments.
2. 2 Learn about possible genetic links. In most cases, the disease is caused by the presence of a genetic component. In other words, a person with lipedema sometimes has a relative who also has the disorder.
   • For example, if you have lipedema, it is possible that one of your parents also has it.
3. 3 Consider hormonal changes. Many doctors believe that lipedema may have something to do with hormones. This disorder almost always affects only women and often occurs during hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
   • While the cause of your illness may seem unimportant, it can help your doctor decide which treatment to take.

Tips

• If you suffer from lipedema, you may be predisposed to varicose veins, knee pain, and obesity. Ask your doctor what you can do to prevent these side effects.

Warnings

• It is very important to understand that lipedema and obesity are not the same thing. If you suffer from lipedema, then it is not your fault. You are not guilty of anything.