When the connective tissue becomes weak and dents form on the thighs, many women hardly want to show their legs. The reason is a weakness of the connective tissue - cellulite, or orange peel skin, is a well-known consequence. Women are affected far more frequently than men. This article explains the causes, what you can do about it and which doctor treats weak connective tissue.
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Article overview
- What exactly is connective tissue?
- What exactly is connective tissue weakness?
- What are the causes of weak connective tissue?
- What can be done to prevent the progression of connective tissue weakness?
- What are the symptoms of connective tissue weakness?
- What tips and tricks are there to combat connective tissue weakness?
- Conclusion on connective tissue weakness
What exactly is connective tissue?
Connective tissue is an elementary component of our body. It is a supporting tissue that is found in the skin as well as in muscle and fatty tissue. Compared to other types of tissue, connective tissue contains few cells, but a lot of intercellular mass (also known medically as extracellular space). The most important component of connective tissue is collagen fibers, which provide sufficient elasticity and strength. If the collagen fibers lose their elasticity, this is referred to as connective tissue weakness.
What exactly is connective tissue weakness?
Weak connective tissue is primarily a cosmetic problem that mainly affects women. The fact is that as soon as the connective tissue loses tone and elasticity, the skin sags. Dents, spider veins and stretch marks often form, and varicose veins and haemorrhoids are also not uncommon. For this reason, you should never take the problem lightly.
Cellulite in an athletic, 28-year-old woman
What are the causes of weak connective tissue?
The most important and uncontrollable reason for the appearance of weak connective tissue is age. It is a natural ageing process, so to speak, because the connective tissue loses its elasticity over the years. As we get older, the body produces less collagen. Collagen is a protein that is mainly found in connective tissue. Vitamin C and lysine are among the most important building blocks of collagen fibers. Lysine is an essential amino acid (protein building block) that the body cannot produce. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is a water-soluble vitamin that we must also obtain from our diet.
The older we get, the less collagen the body can store. Our body primarily supplies the organs, joints and muscles with collagen in order to maintain the supporting tissue. However, there is significantly less collagen left for the skin, which is why it gradually sags. The elasticity of the blood vessels also decreases, resulting in spider veins, varicose veins or hemorrhoids.
What can be done to prevent the progression of connective tissue weakness?
There is little that can be done about the ageing process, which is the main cause of connective tissue weakness. However, connective tissue weakness is not just a symptom of old age. A lack of exercise, stimulants (nicotine, alcohol) and an unbalanced diet high in sugar and fat are also possible causes. A healthy lifestyle, i.e.
- a healthy and balanced diet,
- plenty of exercise in the fresh air,
- avoiding noxious substances such as smoking and alcohol
can certainly influence the progression of connective tissue weakness.
Although connective tissue weakness cannot be cured , the symptoms can be treated well. You should accept cellulite to some extent - it is simply part of most women's lives and cannot always be controlled, even with a lot of exercise and a healthy diet.
What are the symptoms of connective tissue weakness?
Connective tissue weakness develops slowly. Many sufferers don't even notice the problem at first until
- stretch marks
- skin depressions
- spider veins
- varicose veins
develop.
Varicose veins © zlikovec / Fotolia
Those who suffer from weak connective tissue are also more prone to varicose veins:
- bruises
- Hernias (e.g. inguinal hernia)
- haemorrhoids
- Intervertebral disc problems
- prolapse of the uterus
Is cellulite a weakness of the connective tissue?
A strict distinction must be made here between cellulite (also known as orange peel skin ) and cellulite. Cellulite mainly forms in the advanced stages of connective tissue weakness. Small indentations are visible on the thighs, which can also be seen on the buttocks or stomach. Cellulite is caused by the increased storage of fat.
Although some people like to refer to orange peel skin as cellulite, this is not medically correct. Cellulitis is an extremely painful inflammation of the dermis, subcutaneous connective tissue and subcutaneous fatty tissue caused by bacteria.
Why are women affected more often than men?
Doctors also blame female oestrogen levels for connective tissue weakness, which is why men are affected far less frequently than women. Perhaps you are one of those who try out a wide variety of diets. However, starvation diets cause a classic yo-yo effect. As the rapid weight changes put a lot of strain on the connective tissue, stretch marks can develop.
How does connective tissue weakness affect blood vessels?
Weak connective tissue also has a negative effect on the blood vessels, as it reduces the elasticity of the vessel walls. This results in the appearance of very fine, bluish veins (spider veins), which tend to appear on the thighs. If the connective tissue weakness is not treated, varicose veins can develop at some point.
What tips and tricks are there to combat connective tissue weakness?
Weak connective tissue is primarily a cosmetic problem that cannot be easily remedied. Nowadays, many sufferers resort to cosmetic surgery to combat fat deposits, spider veins and varicose veins. While doctors cauterize the blood vessels, the excess fat is suctioned out.
However, cosmetic surgery is associated with an increased health risk, which is why doctors recommend it for extreme and disease-related fat deposits. With a healthy diet and sufficient exercise, you can counteract weak connective tissue even without surgery.
Here are a few tips:
1. drink enough!
Drink at least one and a half to two liters a day. The increased fluid intake makes the tissue appear firmer. Metabolic products that unnecessarily burden the body are better removed. Drink herbal tea and still water instead of sweet fruit juices and cola.
2. make sure you eat a balanced diet!
Reduce your sugar and fat intake and provide your body with vegetables, fruit and pulses (soybeans, beans & lentils), which are enriched with vital nutrients. Sea buckthorn berries, rosehips and citrus fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, which is considered an important building block of connective tissue. An equally essential nutrient is the amino acid lysine, which is found in walnuts, buckwheat, wholegrain rice and peas. Gluten-free grains (millet, quinoa & buckwheat) contain plenty of silicic acid, which is essential for the elasticity of the skin. Meat and dairy products, on the other hand, are known acidifiers that promote cellulite.
3. regular exercise
Exercise regularly: Sport promotes firm connective tissue. A mixture of endurance and strength sports is ideal in this respect to tighten the muscles and connective tissue in equal measure and reduce excess fat reserves.
4. avoid being overweight
Being overweight is harmful to the connective tissue. However, do not torture yourself with drastic diets to avoid a classic yo-yo effect. Frequent weight fluctuations cause stretch marks because they stress the connective tissue.
5. protect the skin from excessive sun exposure
UV radiation damages the elastic fibers of the connective tissue. Use a high sun protection factor in summer to protect your skin from the sun. As a general rule, the lighter the skin, the higher the sun protection factor should be.
Conclusion on connective tissue weakness
Weak connective tissue is not just a side effect of ageing. Poor eating habits and lack of exercise are mainly responsible for weakening the connective tissue. The female sex also plays a role. However, if you exercise a lot, drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet, you will strengthen your connective tissue and muscles.