Did you know that approximately 1 out of every 9 adult females are diagnosed with lipedema worldwide?
Lipedema is a chronic disease in which the fatty tissue under the skin starts accumulating abnormally. It is also called lipoedema or lipodema. Women are more often affected than men, and it appears almost always after puberty. Typically, the feet and legs are most severely affected at first, but over time the disease can progress to include the hips, buttocks and upper limbs. In later stages it may also affect other parts of the body such as the abdomen, breasts and hands.
In women with lipedema, fat tissue accumulates at a rate that is much lower than normal after puberty, but not as low as in obesity. The affected areas become enlarged and the skin of the affected parts of the body distends, becoming smooth and dimpled. These changes resemble those of normal pregnancy.
Lipedema must neither be confused with obesity nor with lymphedema. In obesity, fat accumulates in the whole body, and in lymphedema accumulation and swelling occur on one side of the body. While in the case of lipedema fat occurs in the limbs, sparing the hands and feet.
It is also not edema but a related adipose tissue disorder also known as Adiposis Dolorosa. It is important to spread awareness, conduct research, and identify better diagnostic and treatment methods for lipedema so the affected women can obtain the care that they need and deserve.
If you want to get more information about the disorder, how it is diagnosed, its treatments, and cures, eating habits and relation to this particular condition, continue reading.
In this guide, you will come to discover...
What lipedema is
Differences between lipedema, obesity, edema, and lymphedema
Treatment and medication for lipedema
Foods to eat and avoid if you have lipedema
A 3-week diet plan with sample recipes