Women in particular often suffer from heavy and swollen legs at night. The swollen legs may have different causes and to the principle are not of concern. However, if the legs are permanently swollen, a doctor should be consulted to rule out lipoedema as the cause.
Lipoedema is symptoms of fat distribution, also known as columnar leg or horseman phenomenon. With proper therapy, a lipoedema can be treated, but a complete cure is not yet possible. Before continuing with the recommended treatments for lipoedema, we are going to analyze what lipoedema is, what its causes are and how to treat it.
What is lipoedema?
Lipoedema occurs almost exclusively in women. The disease causes subcutaneous fatty tissue deposits, which lead to swelling of the affected body parts. With the progression of the disease, the accumulation of fatty tissue causes the legs to widen more and more.
The fat deposits generally occur symmetrically in the thighs, hips, buttocks, into the knee or upper arms, and then the forearms and thighs to the ankles. The backs of the hands are affected only at levels of extreme severity. A typical clinical picture for lipedema is a thin upper body, and too thick legs.
Symptoms of lipedema
Patients with lipoedema usually suffer from thick legs with visible deposits of fatty tissue. Especially after prolonged sitting or standing or on warm days, the legs often swell even more due to the added water retention.
In rare cases the symptoms also affect the arms. The following symptoms can also be observed in the affected parts of the body:
· Pain to touch
· Pressure and tension.
· Bruising after minor bumps or scrapes.
· Presence of spider veins.
· Thick, partially knobby skin and orange peel skin (cellulite).
Causes of lipedema
The exact causes of lipoedema are not yet clear. They are probably a genetic predisposition and hormonal triggers. This condition often occurs for the first time or after puberty, pregnancy, or during menopause.
Obesity is not one of the causes, but it can negatively influence the course of the disease.
In men, it occurs only in rare cases, for example, in a hormonal disorder as a result of liver damage or hormone therapy.
How is it diagnosed
The diagnosis of lipedema is based on visual and tactile findings (inspection and palpation), the patient's history and, if necessary, on an ultrasound. Above all, a specialist must rule out that the symptoms were caused by other diseases. Here are, for example, the following diseases in question:
1. Adipostas (obesity), which often occurs together with lipoedema.
2. Lipohypertrophy (a harmless accumulation of fat) that can turn into lipoedema.
3. Lymphedema (fluid retention), which usually occurs asymmetrically.
Either lymphedema or lipoedema, it shows the so-called Stemmer's sign. If the skin is raised over the toe or finger creases, it is likely lipoedema.
Stages of the disease
Lipoedema is not curable and can even get worse as the disease progresses. Especially if your symptoms are left untreated. Therefore, stage 1 fat pads mainly occur on the hips, thighs, and inside of the knee. The skin is typically visible as an orange peel.
As the disease progresses, the skin in stage 2 appears very nodular with sunken points, until in stage 3 large flaps and bumps of the skin finally develop. Lipoedema can extend to the ankles and overlap. Finally, the fingers and toes are affected: this is the serious stage of the disease.
More serious consequences
During the course of the disease, fat cells enlarged and deformed by lipoedema make it increasingly difficult for lymph fluid to escape. As a result, accumulations of water, called lymphedema, develop in the cell interstices. These then cause swelling of the hands and feet.
If lipoedema remains untreated for years, the large lymphatic vessels are also affected by this disorder. There is then talk of a Lymphedema.
Decongestion therapy for lipoedema
The basis for the treatment of lipedema is decongestant therapy. It requires the daily use of compression stockings or bandages to reduce or maintain the size of the lipoedema. Especially during sports, compression stockings should always be worn to support the fabric.
Compression devices are also used in the framework of " apparent intermittent compression ". Compression of lymphatic tissue can relieve pain and counteract the progression of the disease.
The lymphatic drainage hand, a special type of massage, also can promote the removal of edema. Lymphatic physical therapy also includes functional rehabilitation and respiratory physical therapy. However, these special treatments should only be performed by specialists and not by massage therapists who are not trained in the field of lymphatic drainage.
Other forms of treatment for lipoedema
The affected lymphoid tissue cannot regress. In lipoedema, only surgical liposuction (liposuction) can remove the pathologically altered fatty tissue. However, there is a risk of destroying the superficial lymphatic vessels, which can result in additional lymphedema.
In lipedema, liposuction is often only a temporary improvement, because the fatty tissue is more likely to develop again, unlike in healthy patients. Therefore, a detailed consultation by a specialist is essential.
In alternative medicine, such as homeopathy, Schüssler salts and jojoba oil are used to treat lipoedema.
Diet and exercise
Sports and healthy eating are important treatments for lipoedema, although they cannot reduce lipedema. Regular exercise and a long-term change in diet, however, help to avoid excess weight, since continuing to increase could promote disease progression.
Physical activity also reduces water retention. Avoid targeted muscle growth in affected areas and sports that require jerky movements. For example, easy walks or water exercises are suitable.
Skin care relieves symptoms
Since lipoedema can alter the microcirculation of the skin, it is more susceptible to inflammation and scarring. Therefore, attention should be paid to proper skin care in lipoedema.
Sensitive skin should be carefully smeared with a special moisturizing lotion and not irritated by tight clothing or self-massage. Especially suitable for skin care are pH neutral soaps and creams for the skin that contain urea or dexpanthenol.
Conclusions:
Lipoedema is often a heavy psychological burden for those affected. Patients suffer not only from physical pain, but also from mental illness.
Negative reactions from people, deteriorating quality of life, and frustration from unsuccessful diets and exercise programs sometimes lead to depression or eating disorders. Psychological support is therefore always a successful therapy for lipedema.
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