The tissue growth, which has a fatty structure and develops beneath the skin, is known as a lipoma. Almost every age group is susceptible to this disease, but according to recent scientific research, there is a very rare possibility that children may develop this condition. Lipoma can grow in any part of the human body, but they appear mostly on lower limbs, upper limbs and areas near, as well as on the neck region.
The fatty tissue growth related to lipoma is considered a benign tumour, or more precisely, we can say it as a benign outgrowth of adipose tissue. The medical treatment for lipoma is not required or is suggested until the patient is getting uncomfortable or facing any other specific issues related to this condition. The majority of the cases of lipoma are considered harmless.
On touching the area where lipoma is observed, the skin can appear a little soft and fluffy. The pressure produced by the human finger has the force which can easily displace the structure of lipoma. Pain is rarely felt by the people who are suffering from this condition. Patients can feel uncomfortable or feel a little bit of pain when the lipoma travels through the areas where arteries, veins, nerves, or capillaries are situated.
A significant portion of the lipoma is made up of adipose or fatty tissue. Other contents present in these structures are blood vessels such as arteries and veins, and other tissues. Scientifically various kinds of lipomas are identified :
- Angiolipoma: A type of lipoma which is generally considered a painful one. The major contents present in this condition are adipose tissues and blood vessels.
- Conventional lipoma: The commonest form of lipoma are those which contains fat cells and can store energy.
- Fibrolipoma: This kind of lipoma consists of fibrous tissue and fatty tissue.
- Hibernoma: While fat white cells can store energy, another type of fat cells known as brown fat cells can produce heat and compensate for the human body's temperature regulation. Hibernoma contains brown fat cells in their soft structures.
- Myelolipoma: A variety of lipoma which contains blood vessels and adipose tissues.
- Spindle cell: Increase in the length of fat cells than their width.
- Pleomorphic: Lipomas of varying structures and lengths.
Distinctive features of lipomas which can help the patient to detect an abnormality on their skin surface is given below:
- The surface of the skin will be gentle in the affected area.
- If pressure is applied, movement is easily observed in that particular region.
- It appears colourless.
- The condition of lipoma develops beneath the epidermis.
- Progression of the lipomas is generally slow and steady.
Other than upper limbs, lower limbs, and neck, lipomas' growth is generally seen in the abdomen and back region. They have the rare ability to grow on the internal organs, muscles, or brain.
Generally, medical help or professional treatment is not recommended for lipomas, but they can look like sporadic cancer known as liposarcoma. Angiolipoma is the most painful form of lipoma than other forms of lipomas that develop in the human body.
Causative agents for the lipomas are generally unknown. People who develop lipomas can have a genetic history where multiple lipomas are recurring. According to various researches, genetic connections with this problem can increase the susceptibility of inheriting this disease to future generations.
Adults who are currently between the ages of 40 to 60 have increased chances of developing lipomas.
The conditions given below can supplement the formation of the lipomas. They are:
- Bannayan - Riley - Ruvalcaba syndrome
- Cowden syndrome
- Adiposis dolorosa [Painful and large number of lipomas develops in this rare case]
- Madelung's disease
- Gardner's syndrome
To diagnose a lipoma, medical professionals will investigate through the following examinations:
- MRI or CT scan when the size of lipoma is abnormal
- X-ray or other imaging tests
- Biopsy for the laboratory examination
- Physical examination
Liposarcoma is a rare condition where the structure of lipomas increases in size very rapidly. It cannot move beneath the epidermis and can be very painful. If a case of liposarcoma is suspected by any chance, professionals will perform examinations such as biopsy or MRI or CT scans.
Homoeopathy can help in treating lipomas and related conditions. Here is how it can help:
- Protection from conditions or the situations where lipomas can reoccur
- This treatment can reduce the doughy or the soft structures of lipomas, which rapidly grows beneath the skin.
- You can avoid complications such as obstructions or hemorrhagic conditions
- Further growth of the structure of lipomas is avoided
- If you follow the doctor's advice, you can successfully reduce the length and width of the lipoma structure.
Lipoma is a condition that is easy to treat if proper medical help is provided to the affected patient. Homoeopathic treatment is highly recommended because it is completely natural and produces no side effects on the patient.