Conservative therapy
It is not possible to improve the symptoms through diet and sport. Physical activity can reduce obesity, but not the disproportionate increase in fat on the legs, the same applies to slimming cures and special diets. Treatment with "water tablets" (diuretic therapy) is not indicated. In principle, weight gain should be avoided or a normal weight should be striven for, since being overweight is a risk factor. The conservative treatment of lipoedema consists of two components: on the one hand, permanent compression treatment with support stockings and, on the other hand, manual lymphatic drainage. In addition to manual lymphatic drainage, intermittent mechanical compression can also be used: these are cuffed pants with overlapping air chambers that fill and empty in waves. The aim of this therapy is to improve the flow of lymph towards the heart and to maintain the return flow through compression. A reduction in the circumference is not to be expected with these measures, because solid tissue is being drained. In addition, careful skin care is important, as the skin dries out under the compression stockings. In addition, exercises are recommended.
Conservative therapy: lifelong necessary
These measures are lifelong in the case of pronounced lipoedema, which represents an enormous burden for those affected, who are often young, and means a significant reduction in their quality of life. However, these conservative measures only alleviate the pain caused by the backed-up tissue fluid. Conservative therapy does not help in any way against the disease - namely lipoedema. The fat continues to grow and the frustration increases - lipoedema can only be treated by surgically reducing the diseased fatty tissue. After liposuction, the symptoms often disappear completely and, in contrast to lymphatic drainage and compression treatment, the operation usually only has to be carried out once. The international specialist societies have therefore included liposuction in their guidelines for the treatment of lipoedema.
