What Is Lipedema?

Sometimes, due to lack of awareness, lipedema is mistaken for very thick legs, being overweight, obesity, or fluid retention… However, it's important to recognize that lipedema is a chronic and degenerative disease of genetic origin affecting the legs.

The exact cause of lipedema isn't fully understood, but it’s believed that a combination of genetic, hormonal, microvascular, and lymphatic factors contributes to its development.

What Characterizes Lipedema?

Lipedema is a chronic and progressive disease that affects almost exclusively women, characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fatty tissue in the lower limbs, and sometimes the upper limbs. 

This often underdiagnosed condition significantly worsens the quality of life of those who suffer from it. 

Lipedema is distinguished by the following:

1. Symmetrical accumulation of fat in both legs.

2. Legs are significantly thicker than the rest of the body. Often, there's no distinction between ankle, knee, and thigh.

3. Greater thickening is common in the calves.

4. It cannot be eliminated through diet or exercise.

5. It's a painful, sensitive condition prone to bruising.

6. Capillary fragility.

7. It primarily affects women.

8. There is a genetic predisposition to developing lipedema.

9. Hormonal changes—such as those after puberty, pregnancy, or menopause—can trigger it.

10. It is not related to overweight or obesity.

11. It impacts quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of Lipedema?

Symptoms can vary by individual and may include one or more of the following:

Main symptoms of lipedema:

• Pain in affected areas.

• Increased sensitivity.

• Easy bruising without apparent cause.

• Lower temperature in the legs.

• Legs are thick while feet remain slender.

• When pressing the skin on the leg, it does not indent.

• Loss of elasticity in the dermis.

• Weight-loss diets have minimal effect on lipedema fat.

  Classification of Lipedema

  • By fat distribution: Five distinct types are identified:

    • Type I: Fat accumulates around the hips, buttocks, and pelvis.

    • Type II: From hips down to the knees.

    • Type III: From hips down to the ankles.

    • Type IVa: Only affects arms (rare).

    • Type IVb: Only affects calves (rare).

    • Type V: Includes hips to ankles and arms. Glo®

• By disease severity: There are four progressive stages

  In early stages, lipedema may not be visibly noticeable, but small round fat nodules can be felt beneath the skin. As it progresses, "orange-peel" skin texture appears, nodules enlarge, skin elasticity diminishes, and walking can become difficult, sometimes accompanied by tingling. 

  Although edema isn't always present, in advanced stages, compression of lymphatic channels and nodes can occur, leading to lipolymphedema, which combines lipedema with fluid swelling due to imbalances in fluid filtration and reabsorption—often classified as stage IV. 

  Additionally, symptoms can include knee arthritis, lymphatic stasis, and subcutaneous fat fibrosis. 

  Early diagnosis is essential to intervene promptly. 

  Is Lipedema the Same as Lymphedema?

  Lipedema is frequently confused with lymphedema due to similar terminology (“LI-…-EDEMA”) and both causing leg thickening. 

  • “Edema” refers to swelling caused by fluid accumulation in tissues.

  • “Lipo-” refers to fat, indicating lipedema is tied to fat accumulation.

  • “Linfo-” refers to lymph—a nearly colorless fluid from the blood that circulates in lymphatic vessels. Lymphedema is related to lymph fluid buildup. 

  Key differences:

  • Lymphedema is typically asymmetric, affecting one leg more than the other, and may involve the hands or feet.

  • Lipedema is symmetric and bilateral, affecting both legs or arms equally, only up to the wrists or ankles—never the feet or hands.

  • Lymphedema may respond to diet and exercise, while lipedema does not. 

  

  Lymphedema results from impaired lymphatic transport and requires decongestive physiotherapy, which involves gentle massage to AID lymph and fluid removal from tissues back into lymphatic vessels.

  What to Do in Case of Lipedema?

  A timely diagnosis of lipedema can help alleviate symptoms. Consulting a psychologist may be beneficial, as the disease can be disheartening and mental strength is important. While diet and exercise alone cannot eliminate lipedema, a suitable exercise, physiotherapy, and nutritional plan can improve quality of life. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce disability and prevent disease progression, enhancing the quality of life for women who suffer from it.
  
  Glo has been able to help women in Spain suffering from Lipedema, to have a better quality of live by using the Glo910 massager. You can watch an interview done to an expert in Lipedema showing how Glo910 works.