LIPODEMIA – lipid edema – treatment

Lipid edema (also known as fatty edema) is an overgrowth of fatty tissue in the legs, accompanied by severe cellulite. Lipid edema is very rarely diagnosed because it is usually mistaken for excess weight. However, it is much more difficult to combat because it cannot be eliminated by diet or exercise. Fat edema requires appropriate treatment because, if left untreated, it can worsen and lead to serious complications. Read the article to learn how to treat lipid edema.

How to treat lipedema?

Lipedema is still a poorly understood condition. Its cause cannot be clearly determined, so there is no single, perfect treatment. The most important thing is to prevent the disease from developing and the edema from growing, which can lead to serious complications. Below are several ways to treat lipedema.

Weight loss diets – are they worth it?

Do not follow restrictive diets or fast, which lead to rapid weight loss. If you suffer from lipedema, such a diet will not bring the desired results. You will lose weight mainly in the upper parts of your body – arms, bust, while your hips and thighs will remain unchanged. This will further distort your body image, making you look disproportionate and feel bad. Remember that such diets always carry the risk of a yo-yo effect, which in turn greatly contributes to the enlargement of lipedema.

So what should I eat?

If you suspect you have lipedema, you should make sure you eat a healthy diet. Eat the right amount of calories for you. Avoid sweets, salty and fatty snacks, fast food, alcohol, hot spices, and colorful and sweet drinks. These are factors that accumulate in the body in the form of adipose tissue, so they can cause an increase in fat edema. Instead, eat large amounts of vegetables, lean meat, healthy fats such as avocados and nuts, and complex carbohydrates in the form of groats, brown rice, and whole grain bread.

Physical exercise

Exercise is necessary because it facilitates fat burning, but also improves venous and lymphatic circulation. Exercise will prevent the development of lipid edema, but also the development of secondary lymphedema, which can even lead to elephantiasis.

In the case of lipedema, water exercises such as aquaerobics, aquaspinning (water bikes) or simply swimming are ideal. Water activities do not put strain on the joints and also promote proper blood and lymph flow.

If you do not suffer from joint or spine pain, you can also try cycling, walking, running, or gymnastics. All these exercises should be performed in appropriately selected compression clothing.

It is best to consult a physical therapist who, taking into account your abilities and preferences, will select the appropriate type of exercise.

Lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage is a type of massage that aims to improve lymph flow, i.e., prevent the formation of or treat existing lymphatic edema. Lymphatic drainage helps remove toxins from the body and stimulates blood circulation, thus facilitating fat burning.

Manual lymphatic drainage can only be performed by a properly trained physiotherapy or massage specialist.

An incorrectly performed massage can cause even greater lymphatic congestion. It is important that the movements are performed in the direction of the lymph nodes, which filter the lymph and transport the purified lymph further into the body. The treatments are performed 2-3 times a week as a preventive measure against lymphedema, or even daily in the case of existing lymphedema.

Pressotherapy – lymphatic drainage using a device

Pressotherapy is also known as sequential compression massage. It is a lymphatic massage performed using a special pumping device and compression cuffs worn on the limbs. The device fills the cuffs with air, causing them to exert pressure on the tissues. The cuffs are divided into so-called chambers. The number of chambers varies depending on the device, e.g., 4, 6, or 8 chambers. The chambers are pumped independently of each other in the appropriate order so that the massage is performed in the direction of the lymph nodes.

Pressotherapy is an excellent complement to manual lymphatic drainage, and in some cases completely replaces it. In addition to professional pressotherapy devices, there are also smaller, cheaper, and easy-to-use home devices available on the market. People who cannot afford frequent treatments by a professional often decide to purchase such a device.

More information about pressotherapy.

How to choose a home pressotherapy device?

Compression therapy

Compression therapy is a method that involves the use of special bandages or compression garments in the form of stockings or tights. When applied correctly, compression helps to maintain the correct shape of the limbs, improves blood and lymph circulation, relieves pain, and consolidates the effects of exercise and lymphatic drainage. Compression therapy should be used daily. Compression garments are put on in the morning right after getting out of bed and worn throughout the day, taking them off only before bedtime. Do not buy compression garments on your own, but consult a physical therapist or doctor who will select the right size and degree of compression for you.

Medications and cosmetics

Unfortunately, there are no effective pharmacological treatments for lipoedema. Do not believe advertisements for anti-cellulite and slimming cosmetics. There is no cosmetic that facilitates fat burning. The most important thing is a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Liposuction

This is a serious plastic surgery procedure. It is used as a last resort because it carries the risk of many complications, such as damage to the lymphatic vessels.

Visits to a psychologist

Women suffering from lipedema often develop complexes, feel powerless and resigned. If this condition persists for a long time and you increasingly feel psychological discomfort, you should consult a psychologist, as this may indicate depression. Do not be ashamed to seek professional help, as many people have the same problem as you and you should not be left alone with it. Your well-being and determination are prerequisites for achieving results in the fight against lipedema.

What determines the effectiveness of treatment?

The most important thing in the treatment of lipedema is the complexity of the methods. Diet and exercise alone may not have a therapeutic effect. The same applies to the use of compression garments or pressotherapy without giving up unhealthy eating habits. To effectively combat lipedema, you must be determined and conscientious. You should eat a healthy diet and exercise, as well as use compression garments and lymphatic drainage (in the form of manual massage or pressotherapy).

Treatment must be continuous, regular, and long-term. Unfortunately, lipedema is very difficult to cure. The therapy is very long and laborious. Only your persistence and strong will guarantee the effectiveness of the treatment.

Additional advice

When traveling, try to take short breaks from sitting as often as possible, walk, exercise, and pump your feet (alternately straighten and bend your foot).
Be careful not to overheat your tissues! Do not use saunas, hot baths, or sunbathe.
Do not use intense massages, only gentle, superficial lymphatic massage (manual or using a pressotherapy device).
Avoid tight clothing.
If you have secondary lymphedema, you are more susceptible to infections. Do not cut the cuticles around your nails, avoid damage to the epidermis, e.g., scratches from cats, insect bites.
Take proper care of your skin. Do not use alkaline soaps, but look for those with an acidic pH. Moisturize your skin regularly and often.
When resting, especially at night, make sure to keep your legs elevated. You can raise the foot of the bed or use a suitable wedge on which to rest your limb. It is very important not to leave any space under your knees, as this causes them to hyperextend and, as a result, pain. Elevation allows your legs to rest, improves blood and lymph circulation, and prevents secondary lymphedema.