10 Causes of Lipoma
As time goes by, our bodies tend to acquire various lumps, bumps and other imperfections. Sometimes these will go away themselves, and sometimes they will stay, but most are harmless. Sometimes we know exactly what caused them, while at other times their appearance is more of a mystery.
Lipomas are soft, fatty accumulations just beneath the skin. They tend to appear in middle-aged people but can be found in people of all ages. They are nearly always harmless and can often just be left alone, although you might wish to remove them for aesthetic reasons. In some cases, they can become very large and can be numerous, and surgery may be required to remove them if they are severe enough.
Cause #1: Hereditary
Our genes make up the blueprint of everything about us. They determine our size, our physical appearance, much about our personalities and how well we respond to pathogens and injuries. They are passed down to us from our parents and contain countless generations of evolution and development.
Sometimes, though, our genetic code can contain faults. These faults can result in mild hindrances that we barely notice, to severe conditions that can make our lives difficult and even threaten our lives. It is thought that lipoma could be caused by such a genetic flaw that is inherited from our parents, but thankfully it is not something to worry about.
Cause #2: Age
Aging is inevitable; something that none of us will escape. The effects of aging can cause our appearance to change, can cause our metabolism to slow down and have numerous other effects on our body. Aches and pains will become more common and we are also more likely to develop imperfections and deformities on our skin and elsewhere.
Lipoma is found more often in people as they grow older, indicating that age is a factor. They are most commonly found in both men and women that are in their middle ages. They can be removed so are not necessarily a permanent addition to the aging process.
Cause #3: Injury
When we pick up an injury, our body automatically sets into motion processes that help the body to recover. This means fixing bones, healing wounds, protecting against disease and infection and a host of other things. Even though our bodies are quite effective at this, though, things don’t always go perfectly.
Lipomas are often discovered after an injury, clearly suggesting that injury may be a cause. It is thought, though, that injuries might simply reveal a lipoma that was already there rather than actually causing it. Regardless, they are quite harmless and should have no adverse effect on the healing of the injury.
Cause #4: Familial Multiple Lipomatosis
Lipomas are generally quite harmless. They will often even go unnoticed and sometimes a doctor will advise you to leave it alone. Having them removed is usually done for aesthetic reasons only, as they present no real threat. Or, at least, that’s usually the case.
Familial multiple lipomatosis is a rare condition that causes multiple lipomas to form all over the body. Not only can they be numerous, they can also grow to be large, potentially reducing mobility and causing other problems. In such severe cases, surgery is often performed to have the lipomas removed.
Cause #5: Adiposis Dolorosa
The previously mentioned familial multiple lipomatosis is a hereditary condition, meaning that the formation of excessive lipomas will run in the family. Adiposis dolorosa is a very similar condition, with an exception that it is not hereditary. It is a rare condition and the causes of it are not yet known.
As before, the lipomas are likely to be numerous and can grow to be quite large. Particularly troublesome individual lipomas can be removed surgically but this is not always effective. Among people with this condition, removed lipomas can sometimes grow back, and they can even return in greater numbers.
Cause #6: Gardner Syndrome
Tumors are abnormal growths of tissue that can occur inside or outside the body. They are often harmless and painless, causing few problems other than looking out of place. Some can be dangerous, though, so they should never be taken lightly. Gardner syndrome is a condition where an unusual number of tumors appear on the body.
The tumors associated with Gardner syndrome can include lipomas, as well as epidermoid cysts, fibromas, osteomas of the skull and thyroid cancer. If you are finding unusual growths on the skin or anywhere else on the body, you should get them checked out to be sure.
Cause #7: Cowden Syndrome
Cowden syndrome is another condition that causes the growth of tumors on the skin. These tumors are known as hamartomas and are generally found on the skin and mucous membranes, particularly in and around the mouth and the nostrils. They are generally quite small and can be mistaken for pimples.
People with Cowden syndrome are also likely to develop lipomas. Other typical characteristics are cafe-au-lait spots, epidermal nevi and genital lesions. While the hamartomas associated with Cowden syndrome are generally benign, they will increase the chances of a malignant cancer forming. As with any unusual growths on the body, it is advisable to get them checked by a medical professional.
Cause #8: Madelung’s Disease
Madelung’s disease is a rare condition that leads to the abnormal accumulation of fatty deposits around the neck, shoulders, upper torso and upper arms. The rest of the body can remain free from these deposits regardless of how large the fatty deposits grow in the upper body. The deposits can develop quickly, or accumulate slowly over the years.
Madelung’s disease is most commonly found in middle-aged men that drink excessive alcohol. It is not restricted to that demographic, though, and can appear in men that don’t drink, and in women. The condition can be treated by surgically removing the deposits.
Cause #9: Inactivity
It is common knowledge that being active is good for you. Activity helps to get the cardiovascular system working, which is important for your overall well-being. People that are active are less likely to encounter illnesses and other conditions than those that are not.
Lipomas are more likely to occur in people that are less active. They are not restricted to less active people, though, and can be found in even very active people. Regardless of the chances of developing lipomas, it is best to be active. Try to take part in physical activities whenever you get an opportunity.
Cause #10: Unknown
Compare our knowledge of medicine with our knowledge just 50 years ago and it becomes clear that we have learned so much. We are also still learning and are able to heal people in ways that we were never able to before. Still, though, there is much that we have yet to learn and there are medical conditions that we still just don’t understand.
Perhaps the most common cause of lipomas is simply unknown. Much of the time we don’t know where they come from or why. They just seem to appear randomly for no apparent reason. The good news is that they are nearly always harmless so not knowing what causes them is unlikely to impact you.
