Lipedema, Lymphedema & Edema
A closer look at these three different conditions may help you understand if you’ve been misdiagnosed or under diagnosed. Unfortunately, these conditions are often prescribed diuretics. Diuretics will decrease the water content of the swelling, while the protein molecules remain in the tissues. As soon as the diuretic looses its effectiveness, these proteins continue to draw water to the edematous area.
Hopefully the lists below of the three conditions, will help you self-diagnose and share with your health-care provider.
Lymphedema
Is a condition that affects more women than men. It’s a swelling of a body part, most often affecting the extremities. It may also occur in the face, the trunk, the abdomen or the genital area. This condition is the result of an accumulation of protein rich fluid in the subcutaneous tissues, which can have significant pathological and clinical consequences for the patient if left untreated. Once you have lymphedema, this chronic condition continues to progress.
Symptoms:
* A leakage of fluid through the skin.
* Wart-like growths developing on the skin.
* The skin becoming hard and tight.
* Difficulty moving and repeating skin infections.
* Abnormal accumulation of protein and water in the interstitial space.
* Usually affects an arm or leg. Swelling usually develops slowly, over time.
* An aching, heavy feeling.
Three stages are:
Stage 1: Early edema, which improves with elevation.
Stage 2: Represents pitting edema that does not resolve with elevation.
Stage 3: Describes fibroadipose deposition and skin changes.
Lipedema
Is also a condition that affects more women than men. It causes fat to accumulate abnormally in specific areas throughout the body. It is often misdiagnosed as obesity, lymphedema, or chronic venous disease; although these diagnoses can often occur simultaneously. The symptoms will often start at the beginning of puberty, sometimes during pregnancy or when a woman enters menopause. Lipedema is chronic and progressive and comes with health implications. It’s also very common, but not very commonly known.
Symptoms:
* Is primarily a condition characterized by increased fatty tissue in the affected areas.
* Usually the feet and ankles are not affected by the disease. While the legs become bigger (to look like columns), the ankles and feet will typically remain the same.
* The legs are larger than the rest of the body.
* The lipidomic fat can move to other areas of the body. You might start to notice your arms becoming larger over time.
* Fat deposits caused by lipedema will often feel tender to the touch, painful if pressure is applied, and bruise easily.
* Skin infections and open wounds are rare.
Types of Lipedema:
1. Type I: The fat is between the navel and the hips.
2. Type II: The fat is around the pelvis and down to the knees.
3. Type III: The fat begins at the pelvis and continues down to the ankles.
4. Type IV: The fat spreads from the shoulders down to the wrists.
5. Type V: The fat is predominantly on the calves.
Edema
Is an accumulation of water in the tissues. It’s a symptom and not a disease.
Most common causes of edema:
* Standing or sitting for long periods of time.
* Venous insufficiency.
* Chronic (long-term) lung diseases.
* Congestive heart failure.
* Pregnancy
*Low levels of protein.
