Posted by on 12/28/2015 to
Lipedema
Lipedema compression garments are among the treatments of choice of patients affected by lipedema. This is a skin condition that affects 11% of women.
Lipedema happens when fat is distributed irregularly beneath the skin. It typically affects the buttocks and the legs, though, in the long run, it can also affect the arms. Because of its appearance, lipedema is often mistaken as obesity or lymphedema.
Causes of Lipedema
The exact cause of lipedema is unknown, but doctors suspect that its development can be attributed to female hormones as they are more common among women. It can begin at puberty but may also develop at any time when there are hormonal changes. Hence, it can occur during pregnancy, following a gynecologic surgery, and during menopause. Genetics is also believed to play a role in the development of lipedema as women with this condition usually have a family history of it.
Symptoms of Lipedema
The distribution of lipedema differs from one woman to another. Some women may only have small pockets of fat above their ankles while others may show an obvious difference on the size of the upper and lower extremities. With lipedema, a size 8 woman may have a size 16 bottom.
The fat from lipedema differs from that of obesity as it hurts and can get easily bruised. However, not all women with lipedema report suffering from these.
Treating Lipedema with Lipedema Compression Garments
Women affected with lipedema have varied options for treatment. Among them is the use of lipedema compression garments.
Compression garments are often advised for treating lipedema as it improves both blood and lymph flow. This then helps prevent fluid retention in the tissues and the development of lymphedema. The latter is the result of poor drainage of lymphatic fluid that occurs when fat cells cause blockage in the lymphatic system.
Wearing lipedema compression garments promotes the flow of lymphatic fluid from the tissues to the root of the limb where it can be drained easily. Wearing lipedema products like compression leggings can reduce the discomfort of patients by providing support to the soft tissues and knee joints. These garments also provide support to loose connective tissues which helps in improving its appearance and redefining the shape of the affected limbs.
Choosing the Right Compression Garments
With so many compression garments out there, it can be a challenge to choose the right one. Bioflect therapy garments have a wide range of lipedema products that you can choose from. Its lipedema compression garments are made with FIR therapy fabric and micromassage knitting design that supports the fluid movement within the lymphatic system. Unlike other lipedema compression products, Bioflect ensures that its products are comfortable to wear to help improve patient’s compliance.
You can view the full list of Bioflect’s lipedema products here.
Image: Flickr