Fat Can Be A Disease – Lipoedema Awareness Day
Lipoedema is a disease that affects as many as 11% of women. It is characterised by the accumulation of fat (adipose tissue) around the thighs and buttocks. People who are affected by this disease present with a disproportionate body; often, the upper part of the body appears relatively petite in comparison to the thighs and lower extremities. Lipoedema is caused by hormonal imbalances which occur during puberty, pregnancy, menopause or after gynecological surgery. Heredity factors may also contribute towards the development of lipoedema, yet until recently, there were few lipoedema treatment options.
Symptoms of lipoedema
Lipoedema has several distinct characteristics:
• Column-like legs;
• Fat bulges on the thighs;
• Heaviness and pain in the legs;
• Difficulty losing weight in the lower part of the body;
• Lower part of the body prone to injuries and bruises.
Living with lipoedema
Typically, a person with lipoedema will experience a number of physical problems. Lack of mobility is one of the biggest issues and is often the cause of major discomfort. Lipoedema forces a person to carry a lot of extra weight around the lower extremities, which makes it difficult for those affected to participate in normal activities.
Research has shown that people suffering from lipoedema are prone to various diseases such as varicose veins, obesity, knee pain and lymphoedema. Finally, lipoedema can have a hugely negative effect on a person’s self-esteem; the social life of a person with lipoedema is often very restricted.
Lipoedema treatment options
One can manage lipoedema with CDT – Complete Decongestive Therapy. This involves at least one of the following lipoedema treatment protocols:
1. Manual lymphatic drainage: massaging the affected areas in order to reduce pain and prevent the build-up of fluid. A similar way of treating lipoedema is IPC – Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy – a mechanical massage using air driven pumps.
2. Liposuction: the manual suctioning of fat using specially designed cannulas. Depending upon the amount of abnormal fat present in a person’s body, it might take several sessions of liposuction to ‘cure’ lipoedema.
3. Compression hosiery: wearing specially made compression garments such as support socks and custom-made tights which not only remove pain but also help facilitate blood flow to the lymphatic system, draining excess fluids from the body.
4. Diet and exercise: although a controlled diet and exercise alone can’t eliminate fat accumulated due to lipoedema, they can certainly help manage the problem.
It’s important for affected individuals to access information about lipoedema treatment options. The good news is that regular Fat Burning injections can lessen some of the chronic symptoms of lipoedema. Call us on +44 (0) 203 823 6551 or email info@vitamininjections.co.uk to find out more. Alternatively, you may use our online contact form to make an enquiry.