Lipoedema Awareness Month

NicolaLymphoedema, SIPC

This month is Lipoedema Awareness Month and the ladies at the Lipoedema Australia Support Society have taken part in a daring photo shoot to spread awareness of this debilitating and misunderstood condition.

Lipoedema is an adipose tissue disorder that affects women more than men. It is often misdiagnosed and mismanaged as either lymphoedema or simple obesity. Restrictive diets have very little effect on lipoedemic fat. Although researchers have not identified the gene invovled, lipoedema appears to be a hereditary condition.  It is affected by fluctuating hormones and symptoms increase in severity during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Disease onset usually occurs at puberty but is often not identified. As lipoedema is not often diagnosed until later stages, co-morbidities and psychological issues are also prevalent. These may be chronic venous and lymphatic insufficiency, early degenerative articular disease, obesity and depression.

Symptoms of lipoedema vary and may include:

  • Symmetrical accumulation of fatty tissue in legs usually from waist to ankles, feet are not affected

  • Legs are hypersensitive to touch and pressure

  • Exercise often causes pain both during and after

  • Lipoedemic fat pads accumulate on the thighs and around the knee causing abnormal gait and joint pain

  • Lipoedemic fat accumulation in upper arms with fat rings around wrists

  • Hypermobility

  • Loss of skin elasticity

  • Non-pitting oedema and negative Stemmer’s sign on feet and hands

  • Skin temperature often lowered on arms and legs

Cassie and Carla from the Lipoedema Australia Support Society were interviewed on Channel 10’s The Project this week sharing their experiences.

 

 

To find out more and if you need support contact the Society here.

Sequential intermittent pneumatic compression can be found to be useful for people with lipoedema. Find out more about the LX9 product here.