What Is Mild Lipedema?

What Are the Symptoms of Mild Lipedema?

While mild lipedema may not be especially noticeable in its initial stages, you can still experience symptoms to some degree. Regarding who lipedema affects, the condition occurs almost exclusively in women.² Undergoing puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can intensify lipedema symptoms and cause the condition to progress, likely due to the hormonal changes experienced during these events.

It is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of mild lipedema so that you can identify the condition and seek treatment. Some of the symptoms of mild lipedema include:

• Achy or heavy legs: At the onset of lipedema, you may notice that your legs begin to feel heavier. As fat deposits build up on your legs, you may begin to experience achiness or mild discomfort.
• Easy bruising: Mild lipedema can make the affected areas feel more tender to the touch and may leave you more vulnerable to bruising and inflammation.
• Disproportionate leg size compared to the rest of the body: A leg size that is disproportionately large compared to the rest of the body is one of the telltale signs of lipedema. As the condition progresses, fat deposits may develop in the arms as well. These fat deposits often will not decrease despite exercise or weight loss.
• Small nodules felt under the skin: Small, pea-shaped fat nodules typically accompany lipedema. While these fat nodules may initially appear small and be few in number, they can grow larger and multiply as the condition progresses.

Mild lipedema symptoms typically do not have a major impact on one’s quality of life. However, if you do not take steps to manage your mild lipedema and seek treatment, then the condition can progress and symptoms may become more severe. Advanced lipedema can have a much more profound effect on your health and quality of life compared to mild lipedema. Some of the symptoms of more severe lipedema include:

• Large fat deposits: As lipedema progresses from the early stages to the later stages, the fat deposits on the legs can continue to grow in size and become more noticeable.
• Impaired mobility: Severe lipedema can restrict your ability to walk and may make some movements more difficult.
• Pain and discomfort: As fat deposits grow and more stress is placed on your body, your level of pain and discomfort may increase.
• Secondary lymphedema: Large fat deposits can potentially interfere with the lymphatic pathway, which can lead to a buildup of lymph fluid. This condition is known as secondary lymphedema, and it can cause swelling, feelings of tightness, and even more discomfort.

Can You Treat Lipedema?

There is currently no known cure for lipedema. However, you can take steps to treat and manage lipedema. Treatment for lipedema is centered around reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing the condition from progressing. With proper lipedema treatment, you can potentially keep the condition under control and maintain your quality of life.

There are several lipedema treatment options currently available. Common lipedema treatment measures include:³

• Lymphatic drainage: Lymphatic drainage refers to a specialized massage technique that is aimed at reducing swelling and easing any pain or discomfort associated with lipedema.
• Compression therapy: Compression therapy involves the use of compression garments—such as compression stockings—to promote blood flow and reduce swelling. Pneumatic compression devices such as Tactile Medical’s Flexitouch Plus system can also be used to effectively self-manage lipedema symptoms from home.
• Liposuction: In severe cases of lipedema, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure such as liposuction to reduce the size of fat deposits and, in doing so, improve mobility and reduce pain.
• Exercise: Lipedema itself is not significantly affected by diet or exercise. However, the condition is often accompanied by obesity, which can exacerbate the symptoms of lipedema. Through therapeutic exercise and a healthy diet, you can potentially reduce obesity, reduce edema, and maintain muscle mass.

Wrapping Up: Mild Lipedema

While mild lipedema cannot be cured, there are several lipedema treatment methods that allow you to manage symptoms and prevent or slow the progression of the condition. Once you recognize the symptoms of mild lipedema, seek out treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent the condition from progressing to the point where it negatively impacts your quality of life or leads to other health complications.

By using Tactile Medical’s pneumatic compression solutions, you can undergo compression therapy to help manage lipedema symptoms from the comfort of your own home. Explore Tactile’s lower body lipedema treatment products to find the right fit for your needs.