Can lymphedema cause your stomach to swell?

Can lymphedema cause your stomach to swell?

Lymphedema is a build-up of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under your skin. This build-up might cause swelling and discomfort. It often happens in the arms or legs, but can also happen in the face, neck, trunk, abdomen (belly), or genitals.

What causes an abdominal pannus?

Also known as a pannus stomach or mother’s apron, apron belly occurs when the belly and fat surrounding the internal organs expands due to weight gain or pregnancy, resulting in additional fat deposits in the omentum (an apron-like flap under your abdominal muscles and in front of your intestines.)

Can you get rid of panniculus without surgery?

Surgical removal is the only way to get rid of the panniculus, which doesn’t respond to diet or exercise. Although weight loss can help decrease the fatty deposits, extra skin often remains behind.

Can abdominal pannus cause pain?

A panniculus is often seen in men or women who have had significant weight loss or in morbidly obese persons. The panniculus can cause difficulty fitting into clothing, interfere with personal hygiene, impair ambulation and can be associated with lower back pain or pain in the panniculus itself.

Can you get rid of Panniculus without surgery?

What is lymphoedema of the abdominal wall?

Lymphoedema of the abdominal wall (panniculus morbidus) is a rare entity, with only a few retrospective reviews of panniculectomies and their complications having been described. Panniculus morbidus is associated with obesity and is likely to become more common with increasing levels of obesity.

Is there a connection between obesity and panniculus morbidus?

In summary, abdominal panniculus morbidus is a rare condition that is poorly described in the literature. There is a strong correlation between obesity and abdominal wall lymphoedema so its incidence is likely to increase in future.

What is the end stage of panniculus morbidus?

Panniculus morbidus is characterised by an overhanging abdominal layer of subcutaneous fat that can become complicated by the appearance of lymphoedema. 2 3 It is the end stage of abdominal obesity, and patients often develop a reduction in mobility and may eventually become completely bedbound, increasing the risk of mortality.