Dr Amir Khan, a regular face on ITV’s Lorraine and This Morning, has shed light on a painful condition that can cause fat to accumulate in the arms. The doctor revealed he had received numerous requests to explain what lipoedema is and to raise awareness about it.
He explained that over 1 in 10 women are likely to suffer from this issue, which can even cause difficulties with walking. Dr Khan said: “Lipoedema is a long term condition that causes abnormal and often painful fat buildup, usually in the lower part of your body. It most often involves the bottom thighs and calves. Some people do get it in their hips and upper arms, but it doesn’t involve your hands or your feet.”
He added that different types of lipoedema impact certain areas of the body, saying: “Symptoms of lipoedema generally include what I’ve mentioned before, that buildup of fat in your bottom thighs and calves, sometimes in your arms. Usually it affects both sides of your body. Now, the fat feels bumpy and it can feel like there’s something underneath the skin or that fat.
“Often it’s painful or there’s a heavy sensation in those affected areas and the skin around the area can bruise more easily. Fatigue is a really common symptom as well.”
Dr Khan explained that the causes are ‘unknown’, but it can run in families, with 20 to 60% of cases being inherited. The condition predominantly affects women, impacting approximately 1 in 10 women worldwide, and Dr Khan believes this may be an underestimate due to frequent misdiagnoses, often as obesity, reports Surrey Live.
He added: “There may be a connection to hormones around puberty, pregnancy, and the menopause. Now lipoedema can cause problems with walking, feelings of embarrassment because of the way it looks, depression or anxiety, as well as problems with the veins in the affected area, or joint pain as well.
“Painful fat deposits are the telltale sign and make lipoedema different from ordinary body fat, which shouldn’t hurt. Also, people with lipoedema have a clear difference in size between their unaffected feet and their affected legs. Now we don’t have a single test that can make the diagnosis, but your clinician may refer you for a test if they think it’s needed.”
Regrettably, there is no cure – but he said there were measures people can take to improve it such as exercise, with swimming being particularly beneficial. He said that a healthy diet can help, as can wearing compression stockings.
The NHS advises individuals to consult a GP if they experience symptoms of lipoedema, such as swollen legs, ankles or feet that do not improve after several days. The primary treatments are: For further information from the NHS, visit here.