Understanding the Connection Between Lipedema, Hypermobility, POTS, and MCAS
Many people are surprised to learn that conditions like lipedema, joint hypermobility, POTS, and MCAS often show up together. At first, they seem unrelated—one affects fat tissue, another affects joints, another affects the heart rate, and another involves allergic-type symptoms. But over time, doctors and researchers have noticed that many patients actually share all or most of these conditions.
This guide explains why that may happen and how these illnesses might connect.
What Each Condition Is
(in simple terms)
Lipedema
A chronic condition where fat is stored in an unusual, painful way—usually in the legs, hips, or arms.
People with lipedema may notice:
Pain or tenderness
Easy bruising
Swelling that doesn’t go away with diet or exercise
Heaviness or tiredness in the legs
Hypermobility
Having joints that bend more than expected, sometimes with:
Joint pain
Feeling unstable
Frequent sprains
POTS
A condition where standing causes a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or fatigue.
MCAS
A condition where mast cells release chemicals too easily, causing symptoms like flushing, stomach issues, itching, or sudden fast heart rate.
Why These Conditions Often Happen Together
Researchers believe they share common roots in:
Connective tissue differences
Blood and lymph flow issues
Nervous system sensitivity
Immune system overreactivity
Because connective tissue is part of everything—joints, skin, fat, blood vessels—problems with it can show up in many ways at once.
How This Feels for Many Patients
Common shared symptoms:
Heavy, painful legs
Easy bruising
Dizziness when standing
Joint instability
Sensitivity to foods, smells, or temperature changes
Feeling like your symptoms are connected—even when doctors treat them separately
What Helps?
There’s no single treatment, but many patients feel better with a whole-body approach that supports circulation, connective tissue, and the nervous system.
1. Gentle Strength Training
Helps stabilize loose joints and support posture.
2. Compression Garments
Helpful for:
Lipedema swelling
POTS (to reduce blood pooling)
3. Hydration & Electrolytes
Supports blood volume and reduces dizziness in POTS.
4. Anti-Inflammatory or Trigger-Aware Eating
Can help calm MCAS and reduce overall inflammation.
5. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
A light, gentle massage technique that helps move lymph fluid through the body.
It can be especially helpful for:
Lipedema (reduces swelling and heaviness)
Lymphatic congestion
Tissue discomfort or tenderness
Patients often describe MLD as soothing, relaxing, and helpful for reducing the “tight” or “full” feeling in their legs or arms. Some people with POTS also find it calming because it supports circulation without overwhelming the nervous system.
6. Mast Cell Stabilizing Strategies
Working with an allergist can help manage MCAS symptoms.
7. Autonomic Support
POTS management might include physical therapy, compression, fluids, or medications from a specialist.
Final Thoughts
Lipedema, hypermobility, POTS, and MCAS often appear together because they share deeper connections in the body—especially in connective tissue, circulation, and immune function. Understanding this overlap helps patients find treatments that work together, not against each other.
And for many people, supportive therapies like manual lymphatic drainage, gentle movement, compression, and nervous system care can make a meaningful difference.
