Lipoedema
Overview
Lipoedema is an abnormal build-up of fat in your legs and sometimes arms. It can be painful and affect daily life, but there are things you can do that may help.
Symptoms
Lipoedema is more common in women. It usually affects both sides of the body equally. Lipoedema can make your bottom, thighs, lower legs and sometimes your arms look out of proportion with the rest of the body. You may also have pain, tenderness or heaviness in the affected limbs, and you may bruise easily. Lipoedema affects people differently. Some people have mild symptoms that do not affect their life. Others can struggle with physical problems, blaming themselves for the changes in their body, and have mental health problems.
Causes
There are other things that can cause large or swollen legs. If you have swelling in all or part of a limb or another part of the body, it could belymphoedema. This can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs and develops when the lymphatic system does not work properly. Sometimes, a build-up of fluid can cause the legs, ankles or feet to become swollen. This is calledoedema. In lipoedema, the feet are not usually affected. The exact cause of lipoedema is not clear. It's not caused by being overweight – you can be a healthy weight and still get it. It may be caused by changes in your hormones: during pubertywhen you're pregnantwhen you're going through the menopausewhen you're taking the contraceptive pill Sometimes lipoedema runs in families.
Treatment
If the GP thinks you have lipoedema they may refer you to a specialist for treatment. There's currently no cure, but there are things that can help and stop it getting worse. Your treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are and how they're affecting you. The main treatments are: eating healthily, doing moreexerciseand trying to maintain ahealthy weightwearing compression stockings or bandages to reduce pain and discomfort, and make it easier for you to walklooking after your skin – for example, by regularly using moisturising cream (emollients) to stop your skin drying outcounsellingorcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)if you're finding it difficult to cope with your symptoms and you feel depresseda procedure to get rid of the fat (liposuction) if your symptoms are particularly severe – you may need more than 1 operation and it may not be available on the NHS Compression therapy can sometimes help manage lipoedema. A specially trained clinician will assess you and recommend the most suitable type of compression.