Confused with obesity, this vascular disease is much more common in women, especially during certain phases of life
Because it causes localized fat and skin flaccidity, lipedema is commonly regarded as obesity or being overweight. But we are talking about different conditions.
Lipedema is a chronic vascular disease that is much more common in women, tending to arise during puberty, during pregnancy, or after menopause. In summary, there is swelling and fat accumulation, particularly in the lower limbs.
“Lipedema fat is usually painful and concentrates in the hips, thighs, and calves. Some small nodules can also appear,” explains Andrea Ferri Catib, nutrologist, sports medicine specialist, and member of the Sociedade Brasileira para Estudos da Fisiologia (Sobraf).
“The appearance of bruising, often even without any trauma, is common,” she adds. The patient may also present hypersensitivity to touch, ligament laxity, and significant skin flaccidity.
Other symptoms include disproportion between the legs and the trunk, cellulite, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, and fatigue. Over time, there is a risk of deformities and mobility problems.
On the other hand, fat from obesity, according to Andrea, is distributed more evenly across the body. It is also lost with less difficulty through diet and physical activity, which does not happen in cases of lipedema. Moreover, this disease is not always accompanied by excess weight.
“There is likely a link to genetics, but no gene has yet been identified. There also seems to be a connection to estrogen, since it affects almost exclusively women and typically during phases when an increase in this hormone occurs, such as in puberty and pregnancy,” states Andrea. “In men, the few cases reported in the medical literature involved patients who had liver problems or testosterone deficiencies,” she concludes.
The treatment of lipedema requires a multidisciplinary team consisting of an angiologist, vascular surgeon, nutritionist, physical therapist, and, in some cases, a psychologist. Tests are also conducted to detect endocrinological diseases that could cause similar symptoms.
In the opinion of Fernando Amato, plastic surgeon and member of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica (SBCP), surgery should be the last resort: “Only after trying clinical treatment for some time should we indicate liposuction.”
In addition to multidisciplinary monitoring, it is recommended to avoid excessive consumption of foods such as pork and beef, processed meats, soda, alcoholic beverages, and ultra-processed foods, which can intensify lipedema inflammation. Exercise, on the other hand, is very welcome.
Agência Einstein
