How to Manage Lipoedema: Treatment Options and Lifestyle Tips
Lipoedema is a chronic condition characterised by the abnormal accumulation of fat, primarily in the lower body. While it predominantly affects people assigned women at birth, it is often underdiagnosed or mistaken for obesity. Managing lipoedema involves a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes aimed at reducing symptoms, improving mobility, and quality of life.
Understanding Lipoedema: prejudices and facts
Lipoedema is not caused by overeating or lack of exercise, so if your lower body is so much bigger than your upper body, you are not fat or obese, you have lipoedema. Experts link this condition to hormonal changes and genetic factors. It typically worsens over time, leading to tenderness, swelling, and mobility difficulties. Early detection and management are crucial to preventing progression, reduce symptoms and improve life quality of patients.
How to manage Lipoedema: Treatment Options
Compression Therapy
Compression garments or bandages help reduce swelling and improve circulation. They are essential post-liposuction (if needed, just for advanced cases) to maintain results.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
This gentle massage technique stimulates lymphatic and blood flow, alleviating swelling and discomfort in affected areas.
Liposuction
Specialised liposuction techniques, such as tumescent or laser-assisted liposuction, can remove lipoedemic fat when conservative methods are insufficient. This procedure is most effective in lipoedema advanced stages.
Skin Care
Proper skincare routines, including moisturising and avoiding tight clothing, can prevent irritation and infections.
Other Therapies
Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy (IPC), kinesio taping, and deep oscillation therapy may provide additional relief.
How to manage Lipoedema: Lifestyle Tips
Adopt an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
- Focus on whole foods rich in antioxidants, such as leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil. Avoid refined sugars and processed foods to reduce inflammation. Include anti- inflammatory ingredients to your recipes like turmeric, cinnamon and ginger.
- Consider diets like the Mediterranean or ketogenic diet for their anti-inflammatory benefits (always supervised by your GP, nutritionist and lipoedema therapist).
Stay Hydrated
- Drink at least two liters of water daily to support optimal body function and alleviate swelling.
Engage in Low-Impact Exercise
- Activities such as swimming, walking, cycling, yoga, or tai chi improve circulation and reduce inflammation without straining affected areas.
Practice Stress Reduction
- Mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing can help manage anxiety and improve overall well-being.
Seek Support
- Joining support groups or working with a therapist can provide emotional relief and coping strategies for living with lipoedema.
Empowering Yourself Through lipoedema Self-Management
While there is no cure for lipoedema, combining medical treatments with lifestyle changes can significantly improve symptoms and prevent progression. Consult with healthcare professionals specialising in lipoedema to create a tailored treatment according to your needs.
We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212877822002095
https://www.lipedema.net/vitamins-supplements.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9710418/
https://lipoedema.co.uk/about-lipoedema/
https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/womens-health/lipoedema
