{"id":49437,"date":"2026-04-13T10:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=49437"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:54:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:54:02","slug":"doctors-expose-buffalo-hump-as-potential-sign-of-hidden-health-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=49437","title":{"rendered":"Doctors expose \u2018buffalo hump\u2019 as potential sign of hidden health conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft wp-block-nypost-editor-partner-article-links\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>A fatty bulge at the base of the neck \u2014 commonly known as a \u201cbuffalo hump\u201d \u2014 isn\u2019t always just a cosmetic concern, as experts say it can sometimes signal\u00a0an underlying condition.<\/p>\n<p>As more Americans grapple with poor posture, obesity and chronic conditions requiring long-term medications, experts warn that these factors can contribute to the development of \u201cbuffalo humps.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There are a range of possible causes and treatments for the commonly misunderstood condition,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/health.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Health.com<\/a>\u00a0recently reported.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA buffalo hump is a fullness at the base of the neck or upper back area,\u201d Dr. Dahlia Rice, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon and founder of DMR Aesthetics, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p>Posture can make a hump appear more pronounced, even if someone does not have much excess fat, Rice said. A\u00a0forward head posture\u00a0or rounding of the upper spine can contribute to this effect.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Maintaining a healthy weight and good posture may help reduce the risk of developing a buffalo hump, experts say.  <span class=\"credit\">Aphisara \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cDepending on the pattern and timing, it could also signal an underlying medical issue,\u201d the expert said.<\/p>\n<p>The condition is often linked to weight, according to Dr. Rachel Mason, a Las Vegas-based plastic surgeon and founder of La Femme Plastic Surgery, though that is not always the case.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn some cases, it can be associated with medical conditions like\u00a0Cushing\u2019s syndrome\u00a0or long-term use of steroids,\u201d she told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p>Elevated levels of cortisol \u2014 the body\u2019s primary\u00a0stress hormone\u00a0\u2014 can also lead to fat deposits in the neck and upper back, experts say. Certain medications, including some HIV treatments, may also play a role, according to Health.com.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>\u201cLiposuction is often the effective option for contouring this area, as it directly removes excess fat and improves the profile of the upper back and neck,\u201d an expert said.  <span class=\"credit\">AntonioDiaz \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between a true buffalo hump and other conditions. The buffalo hump is often confused with a posture-related \u201cdowager\u2019s hump,\u201d which is caused by\u00a0spinal curvature\u00a0rather than fat buildup.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA true buffalo hump will feel soft and fatty,\u201d Mason said. \u201cStructural, posture-related issues require a completely different approach than fat reduction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If the lump appears suddenly, continues to grow or is accompanied by other symptoms, medical evaluation is recommended, according to doctors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf it\u2019s\u00a0paired with fatigue, muscle weakness or changes in blood pressure, patients should seek medical evaluation,\u201d Rice advised.<\/p>\n<p>Mason added that symptoms such as easy bruising, hormonal changes or purple stretch marks could point to an\u00a0endocrine disorder\u00a0rather than a cosmetic issue.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Hormonal changes involving cortisol can lead to fat deposits in the neck and upper back, according to experts. <span class=\"credit\">Peakstock \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Treatment options depend largely on the underlying cause. In cases tied to posture, physical therapy and strengthening exercises may help. When medications are involved, doctors may adjust treatment.<\/p>\n<p>For patients with localized fat and no underlying condition, cosmetic procedures may be considered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLiposuction is often the effective option for contouring this area, as it directly removes excess fat and improves the profile of the upper back and neck,\u201d Mason said, noting that more extensive cases may require\u00a0surgical removal\u00a0of dense tissue.<\/p>\n<p>Lifestyle changes \u2014 such as maintaining a healthy weight, improving posture and monitoring\u00a0long-term medication use\u00a0\u2014 may help to manage or reduce the condition, experts say.<\/p>\n<p>Although a buffalo hump itself is not usually dangerous, untreated underlying conditions can lead to more serious complications, including high blood pressure or\u00a0sleep issues, according to Health.com.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIdentifying the cause early is important in ensuring the right treatment path is taken,\u201d Mason said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/04\/13\/health\/doctors-expose-buffalo-hump-as-potential-sign-of-hidden-health-conditions\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A fatty bulge at the base of the neck \u2014 commonly known as a \u201cbuffalo hump\u201d \u2014 isn\u2019t always just a cosmetic concern, as experts say&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49438,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49437"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49437\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/49438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}