The lipedema is a chronic, progressive disease of the fatty tissue that affects approximately 1 in 10 women in the world. It is characterized by the abnormal fat accumulation on legs, thighs, hips and, in some cases, also on the arms.
What is most striking is that this accumulation is disproportionate to the rest of the bodyThe trunk may maintain a normal or even low weight, but the extremities visibly increase in volume.
Although the exact causes are not yet known, it is believed that a combination of the following factors are involved genetic, hormonal and inflammatory factors that favor its appearance. In fact, it usually manifests itself in stages of great hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
Despite its frequency, lipedema continues to be a disease underdiagnosed and misunderstoodoften confused with obesity, lymphedema or cellulite. That is why to know the genetic predisposition to this disease with genetic test as those of ADNTRO can be very useful.
How it is diagnosed
The diagnosis of lipedema is not always straightforward. In some cases, it is necessary to resort to imaging tests such as the magnetic resonance imaging you will access to: ultrasoundThe results of these tests help to rule out other similar pathologies and to confirm the presence of pathological adipose tissue.
Degrees of lipedema
The disease is usually classified into three grades, according to the appearance and consistency of the skin:
- Grade I: The skin is smooth and even, although small nodules of fat are visible underneath.
- Grade II: The skin becomes irregular and harder to the touch.
- Grade III: The skin surface is adipose, especially on the hips and ankles, with abundant nodules of different sizes.
Most frequent symptoms
Signs and symptoms of lipedema can vary from person to person, but the most common include:
- Disproportionate fat gain in legs (and sometimes arms), resistant to diet and exercise.
- Sensitivity to touch and paineven with slight friction.
- Feeling of heaviness and tiredness in the lower extremities.
- Spontaneous bruising without apparent cause.
- Swelling and fluid retentionThe symptoms worsen throughout the day.
- Skin changeswhich may present cellulitis, lumps or bumps.
- Limitation of mobilityespecially when fat accumulation surrounds the joints.
Possible causes
Although there is still no definitive explanation, several factors seem to influence the development of lipedema:
- Genetics: having a family history and certain genetic variants increases the risk.
- Hormonal changes: estrogens appear to play a key role.
- Chronic inflammation: could affect the distribution and function of fat tissue.
- Vascular factors: has been observed in relation to alterations in the blood vessels and the lymphatic system.
- Lifestyle: sedentary lifestyle and weight gain can aggravate the disease, although they are not its direct cause.
