learn how to treat and identify the disease that affects more than 11% of women

According to nutritionist Paula Frederich, few people actually know what lipedema is. In an interview for Revista Quem, the doctor told about the association she founded precisely to propagate this cause; Brazilian Association of Lipedema Patients. Paula said that the creation of ABRALI was mainly motivated to help patients with the disease. “Many people don’t know they have lipedema. That’s why we created an association aimed at welcoming these patients with doubts about the subject”, he said.

The disease mostly affects the female public and is triggered by emotional issues, hormonal changes or genetics.

How to identify?

Symptoms of chronic disease usually appear in the arms and legs, increasing limb fat. The fat generated by the disease is difficult to be ‘dried’ for example by physical exercises alone. In carrier women, it is possible to perceive that with physical exercise and diets, other parts of the body will lose weight and the arms and legs do not ‘dry’ with the same ease and agility.

Patients should seek a complete treatment that chains processes to help reduce fat in these places. Patients with Lipedema find it difficult to gain muscle mass, which ends up generating visibly many cellulite on the legs and arms.

^{ABRALI’s Instagram profile. (photo/reproduction: Instagram)}

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Interviewed by Quem, psychologist Elisangela Niná describes how patients generally feel about the disease and what possible disorders can be developed.

“The vast majority of patients with lipedema have some psychiatric comorbidity. The difficulty in accepting the different physical pattern contributes to the maintenance of many inappropriate behaviors such as social self-exclusion, image distortion and affective insecurity. high level of embarrassment when having to show the affected limb and, for this reason, they often prefer to isolate themselves, thus restricting the possibility of further embarrassment.

According to Elisangela, patients choose not to want relationships, create bonds in an attempt to hide the bodies of others and prevent their body shape from being visualized.

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How to treat?

The patient needs to change habits and lifestyle to treat Lipedema more incisively. One of the habits that carriers can take:

Physical activities to improve circulation

Do not eat foods that can cause inflammation

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Water activities such as water aerobics and swimming

Featured Photo: Image of a patient with Lipedema. Reproduction / Health up to date