There has been a notable increase in lipoma cases in recent years. Lipoma, the condition in which you develop a fatty lump in your body, has been an increasing concern now.

Wondering what is the reason behind this surge? Is it because of the improved detection methods? Or is there any other underlying reason behind this?

Mykare Health is here to answer these concerns for you. Join us as we explore what are the reasons behind increasing lipoma and why it is a concern for our health. Let’s dive in.

Lipomas: What Are They?

Lipoma is basically the growth of fatty tissue cells, causing lumps in the body. Lipomas are non cancerous. It often feels rubber-like and soft.

Lipomas move easily under the skin. If the lipoma is deep inside your body, you will not be able to touch or see it. They are painless and usually grow very slowly. This condition is usually seen in middle aged individuals but can develop at any age.

They are round or oval lumps and are often small. Lipomas are mainly seen on the neck, shoulders, back, arms, and thighs. It can develop anywhere on the body as well.

Lipoma is often diagnosed with a physical examination by a doctor. MRI or ultrasound is also done in some cases to confirm the diagnosis.

Usually, lipomas do not require any treatment. But treatment is needed when they get complicated or cause severe symptoms. Surgical removal, liposuction, and steroid injections are the main treatment methods used for lipoma.

Potential Causes Of Increase Of Lipoma

• Lifestyle factors

Dietary modifications, such as consuming more processed foods, high-fat meals, and sugary drinks, may result in weight gain and increase the possibility of lipomas developing.

Besides, an inactive lifestyle and a lack of physical activity can cause weight gain and changes in fat metabolism. It can also result in the development of lipomas.

• Genetic factors or family history

An individual may be more likely to acquire the condition if they have a family history of lipomas. If they have a genetic abnormality like Gardner syndrome or familial multiple lipomatosis, there are also chances of developing lipoma.

• Environmental factors

Environmental pollutants and toxins that are found in the environment, such as some substances in the food, water, and air, can cause certain abnormal metabolic processes. These processes can lead to the development of lipomas.

Prolonged exposure to radiation is another cause of increased lipoma. It has been observed that lipomas could develop from medical procedures such as radiation therapy or environmental sources such as sun radiation or occupational exposure.

• Age and medical conditions

Middle aged adults, aged 40 to 60 years, are more likely to have lipomas, which indicates that aging plays a role.

Multiple lipomas are present throughout the body in certain medical conditions such as Madelung's disease and Dercum's disease. It may be a factor in the overall rise in lipoma cases.

• Hormonal imbalance

Hormone fluctuations or imbalance which are experienced during pregnancy or during hormone replacement therapy may have an impact on fat metabolism. It thus has a role in the increased development of lipomas.

How To Prevent And Manage Lipoma?

• Maintain a balanced diet which is high in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains and low in processed foods and sugary drinks. It helps in maintaining a healthy weight and lowering the risk of lipomas.

• High metabolism and excessive fat buildup can result in the development of lipomas. In order to control this, it is recommended to encourage regular physical exercise and discourage inactive behavior.

• Reducing exposure to toxins and pollutants through the implementation and monitoring of environmental rules can help lower the chances of developing lipoma.

• Raising public knowledge of environmental risks and promoting cleaner food, water, and air sources can enable people to make better decisions and limit their exposure to possible pollutants and toxins.

• Giving awareness to the public about the symptoms of lipoma can help with early identification and fast medical diagnosis.

• Promoting regular health examinations and screenings can help in the early detection of lipomas, when they are usually smaller and simpler to treat.

• Ensuring proper management of symptomatic or problematic lipomas can be achieved by making a variety of treatment options accessible, including surgical removal, liposuction, and steroid injections.

• Future options for the treatment and prevention of lipomas could be improved by making investments in advanced methods and technology, such as gene editing or targeted medication therapy.

• Finding new therapeutic targets and ways to treat lipomas can result in learning more about the underlying mechanisms of the disease's developing and progression.

These preventive and managing measures are crucial for decreasing the likelihood of developing lipoma.

Thus, educating the public about lipomas and associated risk factors can help with early discovery and timely action, which will eventually improve patient outcomes.

Healthcare professionals play an important role in educating patients about lipomas, conducting thorough evaluations, and providing appropriate management options based on individual needs and preferences.

In conclusion, we can all work together to improve the lives of those who are impacted by lipomas and lessen the burden of the disease on the general public by encouraging healthy lifestyles, boosting research, and creating a collaborative environment.