Lipedema identified as chronic disease causing disproportionate leg fat

Dr. Sidar Burcu Ateş Demiroğlu, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist at Medical Point Gaziantep Hospital, has highlighted lipedema as a chronic disease rather than a purely aesthetic concern. The condition, which primarily affects women, is characterized by a symmetrical and disproportionate increase in fat tissue in the hips and legs.

Key symptoms include a lack of significant slimming in the legs despite diet and weight loss, pain or sensitivity when touched, easy bruising, a feeling of heaviness, and swelling that increases throughout the day. A distinctive sign is that the fat accumulation often spares the feet, creating a ‘cuff-like’ appearance at the ankles.

Lipedema is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or cellulite. Dr. Demiroğlu noted that while patients may lose weight in their upper bodies, the disproportion in the legs often persists. Diagnosis is made through clinical evaluation to differentiate it from conditions like lymphedema or venous diseases. Treatment is personalized based on the disease stage and may include exercise programs, weight management, compression therapy, and rehabilitation methods to manage edema and pain.