Before getting into the symptoms of Lipoma, one should understand what it really is. This is commonly known as a fatty tumour and can be seen at your neck, torso upper arms, legs, stomach, etc. A big relief about this disease is that it’s not destined to take your life but still it would be better to be fully equipped to fight against it.
Many people confuse Lipoma and cancerous tissues but the truth is that these two are very different as the second one can be life-threatening. There are some cases where Lipoma can be dangerous too though the chances of it becoming serious are very low. There are some factors which can help a person to identify whether he or she has this illness in an early stage.
How to Know if You Have Lipoma:
Identify the symptoms
By identifying the symptoms, you would get a proper understanding of whether this is actually Lipoma or not. Even when you visit the doctor, he or she is going to ask you some basic questions which would point towards the symptoms. There is no harm to analyse it so that you can answer efficiently.
1. Small Bump
A Lipoma is usually present under the skin and they form a subtle bump in your skin which you can see. This little patch can help you identify it at an early stage and help you deal with it. This small bump is due to the sudden increase of the fat cells and the size of this is about 3 cm wide so that it can be visible to the naked eye.
2. Check whether it’s actually Lipoma or something else
Many a time, people confuse Lipoma with other things and panic, so it would be better to be sure. A patch of this disease would be around 3 cm and not more than that. If any bump exceeds this, then it’s not Lipoma.
Analyse the bump constantly
Firstly, write down the details of the size of the patch, when you noticed it first and whether it is causing you any pain? These findings are important as your doctor can use these facts to treat you in a better manner as he or she will exactly have an exact timeline.
You should not stop measuring the patch after the first time, keep doing it at regular intervals. You need to track its progress and make sure to consult a professional if there is any abnormal growth. It’s difficult to determine a growth pattern as there is a very slow growth so you would have to measure it using a scale or a measuring tape. Preserve the record of this analysis so that it can be used in the future stages of your treatment.
Do not worry, a Lipoma is harmless in most cases and the reason why most people get it extracted out is that it looks bad. Also, focus on the kind of patch it is when you are analysing the bump. If it’s a soft patch, then the chances are that there is nothing to worry about.
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Age Group
There is no specific age group that has this disease, yet it’s seen through research that the people from 40-60 years have a higher chance of getting Lipoma. This doesn’t mean that people below or above the age group can’t have this tumour; the chances of getting it is more in the above-specified age group.
This is a gene-based disease
What this means is that if your father or mother had Lipoma or someone in your generation had this disease, then there are high chances of you getting it. Knowing about this can be very beneficial as now you can take preventive measures from an early stage and get it operated.
Obesity and injuries – a deadly combination
It’s proven through research that an obese person has more chances of getting Lipoma than a fit guy. This is because there is a high presence of fat cells which promote this disease. So, if this disease runs in your family, it would be best that you reduce your fat to decrease the chances of getting infected. It is very easy to reduce fat; all you need is some dedication towards it. Keep up with a strict diet and take out one hour per day for exercise and in a short span, you would be fit.
Whether it be a sport or any physical activity, if one suffers an injury over and over on the same spot, then the chances of getting Lipoma increases. To prevent this, you can wear safety measures or take rest to recover your injury fully before you carry out the same activity. If you are playing a sport professionally, then take some time off and get proper treatment by an expert, there is nothing more important than your wellbeing.
Call a doctor
This may be the most obvious one but it’s crucial to address this as many people try to treat this disease by themselves. It’s vital to make it certified by a professional that you have Lipoma otherwise all your medication is your waste. Wrong treatment might also hurt you or cause damage to your body.
When you choose a doctor, make sure that the person is qualified enough to treat you and deals with the same background of cases. A wrongful identification can be very expensive and would consume a lot of your time. Always keep in mind that in rare cases, this disease can also turn into cancer, so make sure not to neglect this step.
A professional doctor’s visit is cheaper than the risk of developing some serious illness. You can find many certified doctors on the web and with the advancement of the websites, you can also compare the skill set to choose the best one. Make sure that you don’t ignore the condition right after you spot the signs of Lipoma as a doctor can suggest early treatment.
Reference:
https://www.medicinenet.com/liposarcoma/article.htm#liposarcoma_facts
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322551.php
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/other-conditions/lipoma