CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CELLULITE

Even though it is important to take into account that the triggering factor for cellulite is bad irrigation, the deepest causes are actually genetic and behaviour related. In the first place, there is a predisposition for developing this alteration. If to that we add bad habits, the result will be cellulite. One of the most important bad habits related to cellulite is an unbalanced hypercaloric diet that has very high contents of fat. This is the most important bad habit because it helps to the accumulation of fatty tissue that will later transform in cellulite.

A sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity, especially aerobic, cause a deficient irrigation of the tissues. High heel shoes and tight cloths cause a difficulty in the natural blood return to the heart and the proper tissue irrigation.

Prevention starts with a balanced diet that is adequate to each person’s requirements and situation. It is recommended to incorporate an important amount of fibres, vitamin E and C and Potassium. The idea of not drinking large amounts of fluids to avoid retention is not only incorrect but also dangerous.

A poor amount of fluids does not help this process because it does not cooperate to the exchange of liquids in the interstitial tissue. The interstitial tissue is the tissue surrounding the cells and keeping them together. The minimum amount of water is about a liter and a half each day, and it is best to drink it before meals. Reducing salt consumption is another advice for a person that wants to avoid cellulite and other health problems.

Diet itself sometimes is not enough, especially for patients that already have this problem. Physical activities, especially aerobic ones prevent not only cellulite, but also cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, osteoporosis, etc. it will even improve the person’s feelings and mood. Aerobic Physical activity will also stimulate blood flow; will burn adipose tissues that will become cellulite.

Cellulite is hard to identify in its first stages and a proper diagnose is important for an efficient treatment. This diagnose is only possible with special measures that will recognise the adipose cell affected by cellulite. Cellulite also affects interstitial tissue and the smallest blood vessels that will determine the temperature of the different tissues. These tissues “get cold” because of the lack of blood irrigation, this temperature can be measured with a thermograph using different techniques:

Liquid Crystals. Crystals change their position according to body temperature, allowing the physician to identify the affected areas.

Video-Computerized-Thermograph. It is more accurate than the previous one and much easier to perform. It is done by applying a sensitive belt that is connected to a computer.

Studying the capillaries that are in charge of irrigating tissues is the most efficient method to diagnose the problem early. The Video-Computerized-Thermograph combined with optic fibre can show the capillaries a thousand times larger than their real size, allowing differences to be noticed.

Patients can verify the condition of their adipose tissue with a simple exam:

Cellulite can be staged in three different moments of its evolution that can be seen using the index and thumb fingers. If when “pinching” the area small dimples and lumps can be seen a very short moment before they disappear, the patient has stage one cellulite. Other symptoms are tired and heavy legs that may also have pins and needles. During this stage it is wise to apply massages and lipolytic substances.

During second stage, when pinching skin, the lumps can be seen for a longer time and have a better shape, it can also be a little painful. Surrounding the affected cells small pillows are starting to appear, as well as collagen fibres whose fiction is to reattach the adipocytes that have started to spread.

During stage three, the misshapen tissue hardens and compacts. Pain is stronger and more constant. Skin becomes flaccid and feels cold. Lumps can be seen easily without the need of pinching the skin.
By this time, diets and physical activities that could have worked in previous stages, are not enough, or even useless. That is why it is so important to start treating this disease on time. There are much better chances of eradicating it with an early treatment.