Lipedema: Learn About This Disorder That Can Cause Weight Gain by Joy Stephenson-Laws JD

There’s a relatively common fat disorder called lipedema, often mistaken for simple obesity. It is estimated to affect 10 to 17 million Americans with signature characteristics of a slim upper body with large hips and legs. Lipedema is often misdiagnosed and under recognized. 

Lipedema expert Dr. Stanley Rockson, professor and researcher at Stanford University, uses the analogy of a bank to explain how the cells in lipedema patients work. “They’re a very unusual bank, because they accept deposits but no withdrawals,” he told NPR. Currently, the treatment options that are recommended for lipedema include:

• liposuction 
• non-surgical treatments such as compression therapy, low-impact exercises and massage therapy

If you have concerns, always talk to your doctor. Enjoy your healthy life!

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