Treatment of varicose veins is an important strategy to control lipedema, since circulation is compromised
For a long time, when it came to the beauty and health of the legs, the presence of varicose veins, tortuous and dilated veins that have lost their function, was one of the major problems. Lately, however, there has been a lot of talk about lipedema, a pathology characterized by the accumulation of adipose tissue mainly in the lower limbs. What few people know is that these two changes, which go far beyond simple aesthetic problems, have a profound relationship.
“In addition to these diseases that present similar symptoms, such as swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, about 50% of patients suffering from lipedema also have varicose veins and varicose veins. And this relationship creates a vicious circle of worsening of the diseases: while the accumulation of fat and the inflammation characteristic of lipedema compromise the circulation and favor the appearance of varicose veins, this microcirculation compromised by varicose veins is one of the known causes of the decompensation of the lipedema,” he explains. vascular surgery Aline Lamaitamember of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery.
According to the expert, impaired microcirculation causes cellular hypoxia, when cells are unable to “breathe” correctly, and an extravasation of liquids and proteins, generating a local inflammatory process which is a trigger for the growth of adipose cells in lipedema. .
“This venous insufficiency, in addition to severe lipedema, also favors the onset of lymphedema, a condition characterized by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the tissues, which generally results in asymmetric swelling of the limbs,” he says.
Which one to treat first?
So, in cases where varicose veins and lipedema are associated, what should be treated first? According to Aline, the treatment of varicose veins is part of the lipedema treatment pyramid, so it generally takes priority.
“Treating varicose veins and varicose veins is important to improve circulation and, consequently, lipedema. And to treat these veins that have lost their function, we have a vast arsenal of procedures that will be chosen depending on the case, which may include sclerotherapy (glucose injections into the vein), dense foam, use of lasers or procedures that combine techniques, such as ClaCs, a technique that combines transdermal laser with sclerotherapy to treat the less large and superficial veins of the skin”, underlines the doctor.
He explains that treating varicose veins is essential, especially for those who need to undergo liposuction surgery due to lipedema.
“Varicose veins can increase the risk of complications, such as bleeding, during surgery. Furthermore, simply removing fat from lipedema without treating the causes, including impaired microcirculation, is not an effective strategy, as the fat will return if the disease is not adequately controlled.”
Lipedema control
However, while treating varicose veins is important for controlling lipedema, there are cases where there is significant inflammation of the fat in the area, which can be an obstacle to treating varicose veins. In these cases it is first necessary to adopt strategies to control this inflammatory process.
“Measures such as the adoption of a diet that favors the intake of healthier foods, with fruit and vegetables, which have anti-inflammatory components, regular physical activity, the use of compression stockings and the use of medications can be adopted to control inflammation. And they will also help improve circulation,” says Aline Lamaita, who emphasizes that, in case of lipedema or varicose veins, the most important thing is to undergo an evaluation with a vascular surgeon to receive the proper diagnosis and receive a personalized treatment plan .
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
