Not sure if you are living with Lipedema or fighting obesity? Although they are commonly confused, Lipedema and obesity are quite different and indicate very specific characteristics.
Before you beat yourself up when the needle on the scale doesn't move after months of diligent exercise and diet regimens, let's take a look at the differences between obesity and Lipedema. Lipedema is a fat storage disorder that affects approximately 11% of the female population. While obesity does not lead to Lipedema, Lipedema can develop into obesity, especially if left untreated, mismanaged, or misdiagnosed.
Characteristics of Lipedema:
- Lipedema affects the lower body region, specifically the buttocks, thighs and calves, without affecting the feet.
- In later stages, Lipedema fat can affect the arms, without affecting the hands.
- The body assumes a distinctive columnar structure.
- Lipedema fat is hard, lumpy, and painful to the touch, leading to swelling, bruising, and pain.
- The characteristics of lipedema begin to take shape during the onset of puberty, pregnancy, or another hormonal milestone in a woman's life.
- Fatty Lipedema does not respond to diet or exercise and often requires surgical intervention for effective mitigation which will lead to a better quality of life.
- Non-invasive treatments, such as compression garments and lymphatic drainage massage, can relieve painful symptoms in the early stages of fat storage disorder.
- It is possible to have Lipedema and still be fit, especially if the disorder is managed properly.
- If Lipedema is misdiagnosed or left untreated, it can easily lead down the road to obesity.
- Similarly, mobility can be limited if left untreated.
Characteristics of obesity:
- The accumulation of fat affects both men and women, including children of any age.
- Fat accumulation in obese people responds positively to proper diet and exercise.
- Fat accumulates mainly in the center of the body, specifically around the abdomen, buttocks, and hips.
- The fat is not hard, lumpy, or painful.
- Except in extreme cases, mobility is not threatened.
- Excess fat in obese people can pose serious health risks, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular dysfunction.
BMI and the link between obesity and Lipedema
Both Lipedema and obesity can increase the BMI (Body Mass Index). If Lipedema is misdiagnosed as obesity, patients will inevitably become frustrated with their futile fitness efforts to lose weight and succumb to an unhealthy lifestyle that can worsen their condition, progress to obesity and dangerously increase their BMI.
The key to keeping Lipedema under control is receiving a proper, timely diagnosis and following a rigorous treatment plan, as specified by our extraordinary specialist on Dr. Daniel J. Rodríguez Morales de los Ríos.
Whether you are managing your Lipedema with compression garment therapy, lymphatic drainage, or WAL liposuction, it is imperative to stay committed to your treatment plan so that your Lipedema does not progress to more debilitating stages or obesity.
For more information, contact our Clinic in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, to schedule a consultation with our specialist, the Dr. Daniel J. Rodríguez Morales de los Ríos.
Do you want our exceptional specialist, Dr. Daniel J. Rodríguez Morales de los Ríos, value your case? Call us, we will be happy to assist you!
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