Some symptoms of lipodystrophy, if left unchecked, can be life threatening. Other symptoms, while usually less dangerous, can be painful to deal with, both physically and mentally.
Some body-shape changes—particularly fat increases around the breasts or neck—are not life threatening. However, they can cause discomfort and pain for some people. For example, fat deposits on the back of the neck can cause headaches and problems with breathing and sleeping. And enlarged breasts can cause back pain.
A body-shape change that could be a health risk is increased fat deep within the gut. This type of fat (visceral fat) can accumulate within and around vital organs, such as the liver and the heart, which can prevent them from working properly. While many HIV-positive people do experience this type of fat accumulation, there have been very few reports of life-threatening problems.
A loss of fat in the legs, arms, buttocks, and face, along with fat gains in the upper body, can have a serious effect on the way people see themselves. This can cause varying degrees of depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and low self-esteem. Thus, while usually not putting people in physical danger, the psychological effects of body-shape changes can be just as difficult to deal with.
Of great concern are the increased lipid and glucose levels seen in a number of patients with lipodystrophy. Increased lipid levels, which include triglycerides and cholesterol, can put people with HIV at a higher risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a heart attack or stroke. To learn more about the potential dangers and treatment of these problems, check out our lesson called Risks to Your Heart
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