Many people have trouble accepting the fact that they are overweight or even obese. If you’re among them, you probably wonder if there’s any way that you can lose weight. You might have even considered trying a fad diet or joining a weight loss program. Maybe you’ve even tried to change your diet and habits, only to fail. In this blog post, we’ll discuss a condition known as lipedema and how it relates to weight loss.
What Is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by generalized swelling of the limbs and fat accumulation in the body. When a person with lipedema eats, the food can’t pass through the swollen capillaries, so it instead accumulates in the abdomen (belly fat), thighs, arms, and neck. Because the body’s natural response to fat accumulation is to try and store more fat, you might see a person with lipedema put on more weight than they need to. It’s estimated that there are over 500,000 people living with lipedema in the U.S.
Why Is Lipedema Bad?
Lipedema is considered to be a vasculitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. In people with the condition, this inflammation results in capillary dilation and increased blood flow throughout the body. This in turn causes the body to attempt to store more heat, resulting in weight gain and the accumulation of fat. Some of the chronic problems that people with lipedema face include:
- Lipedema is often associated with other autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. If you have one of these diseases, you’re more likely to develop lipedema.
- Because of the chronic inflammation and swelling associated with lipedema, exercising can be difficult, if not impossible.
- There’s a high incidence of obesity in people with lipedema. Over half of the people with the disease are likely to be overweight or obese.
- The general condition of poorly controlled diabetes can also be associated with lipedema. If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop the condition.
- Some people with lipedema have a decreased life expectancy. The average lifespan is only about 48 years.
- There’s no known cause of lipedema, but it’s thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
How Is Lipedema Diagnosed?
Since there are no specific diagnostic tests for lipedema, the condition is usually identified based on the symptoms. Patients will typically present with chronic swelling in the legs, arms, and trunk. Other possible symptoms include:
- Body aches
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Enlarged lymph nodes (a sign of inflammation)
Are There Any Risk Factors?
People with lipedema are at a greater risk for several complications. These include:
- Cardiovascular problems, like heart disease and hypertension
- Osteoarthritis
- Eradicated Lupus (no longer a problem)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (still a problem)
- Gout (big problem)
How Is Lipedema Treated?
There isn’t one specific treatment for lipedema. Rather, doctors will typically prescribe pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation. Some of the drugs used to treat lipedema include:
- Methotrexate (an anti-inflammatory vitamin folic acid analog)
- Hydroxychloroquine (an anti-inflammatory drug)
- Leflunomide (a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis)
What Are the Possible Complications?
People with lipedema are at a greater risk for several complications. These include:
- Cardiovascular problems, like heart disease and hypertension
- Osteoarthritis
- Enlarged lymph nodes (a sign of inflammation)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout (big problem)
- Decreased life expectancy
The good news is that none of these complications are life-threatening. However, they can all be quite disabling. Due to the chronic nature of the condition, a person with lipedema is likely to be disabled for the rest of their lives. As mentioned, because of the increased blood flow and inflammation, it’s difficult to exercise. This leads to more weight gain and the eventual development of obesity-related problems.
When Should I Worry About Lipedema?
If you have any of the risk factors for lipedema mentioned above, you’re considered to be at risk. Even if you don’t have any of these problems, you still have a higher chance of developing the condition compared to the general population. The best time to worry about lipedema is when you’re already showing early signs of the disease. That way, you can start preparing for the day when you have to face the fact that you have it and need to start living with it. Don’t expect to lose weight and feel healthy again. You’re likely to become frustrated and discouraged if you continue trying to diet. Instead, learn to accept your body and understand the cause of your weight gain.
If you’re interested in learning more, there is tons of information out there. If you want to read more, here are a few reputable websites that you can visit.
Final Takeaway
People with lipedema are at an increased risk for several health problems. Since there isn’t one specific treatment for the condition, doctors will typically prescribe pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation. Due to the chronic nature of the condition, it’s difficult to exercise, so people with lipedema often put on more weight than they need to. Once they accept their bodies and learn to live with it, they’re more likely to start losing weight and be healthier.