When swelling, pain, or disproportionate body change isn’t “just weight”

For many people, persistent swelling, heaviness, pain, or changes in body shape are often dismissed as lifestyle-related or attributed solely to weight change. However, conditions such as lipoedema and lymphoedema are frequently under-recognised, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed late — despite having a significant impact on comfort, mobility, skin health, and quality of life.

Lipoedema is a chronic disorder of adipose tissue that primarily affects women and is often associated with pain, tenderness, easy bruising, and disproportionate fat distribution. Lymphoedema involves impaired lymphatic function, leading to fluid accumulation, swelling, and progressive tissue change. In many cases, these conditions coexist or overlap, compounding symptoms and accelerating progression when left unaddressed.