Health
Doctors expose ‘buffalo hump’ as potential sign of hidden health conditions
Study finds link between obesity and vascular dementia
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss an increase of colon cancer in people under 50 despite overall lowering cancer deaths and a new study linking obesity to vascular dementia.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A fatty bulge at the base of the neck — commonly known as a “buffalo hump” — isn’t always just a cosmetic concern, as experts say it can sometimes signal an underlying condition.
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 “buffalo humps.”
There are a range of possible causes and treatments for the commonly misunderstood condition, Health.com recently reported.
DOCTOR SHARES 3 SIMPLE CHANGES TO STAY HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT AS YOU AGE
“A buffalo hump is a fullness at the base of the neck or upper back area,” Dr. Dahlia Rice, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon and founder of DMR Aesthetics, told Fox News Digital.
Posture can make a hump appear more pronounced, even if someone does not have much excess fat, Rice said. A forward head posture or rounding of the upper spine can contribute to this effect.
Hormonal changes involving cortisol can lead to fat deposits in the neck and upper back, according to experts. (iStock)
“Depending on the pattern and timing, it could also signal an underlying medical issue,” the expert said.
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.
“In some cases, it can be associated with medical conditions like Cushing’s syndrome or long-term use of steroids,” she told Fox News Digital.
GLP-1 DRUGS LINKED TO HIGHER FRACTURE RISK, OSTEOPOROSIS AND GOUT, NEW STUDIES SUGGEST
“Depending on the pattern and timing, it could signal an underlying medical issue.”
Elevated levels of cortisol — the body’s primary stress hormone — 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.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between a true buffalo hump and other conditions. The buffalo hump is often confused with a posture-related “dowager’s hump,” which is caused by spinal curvature rather than fat buildup.
“A true buffalo hump will feel soft and fatty,” Mason said. “Structural, posture-related issues require a completely different approach than fat reduction.”
Maintaining a healthy weight and good posture may help reduce the risk of developing a buffalo hump, experts say. (iStock)
If the lump appears suddenly, continues to grow or is accompanied by other symptoms, medical evaluation is recommended, according to doctors.
“If it’s paired with fatigue, muscle weakness or changes in blood pressure, patients should seek medical evaluation,” Rice advised.
Mason added that symptoms such as easy bruising, hormonal changes or purple stretch marks could point to an endocrine disorder rather than a cosmetic issue.
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.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
For patients with localized fat and no underlying condition, cosmetic procedures may be considered.
“Liposuction 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,” Mason said, noting that more extensive cases may require surgical removal of dense tissue.
“Liposuction 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,” an expert said. (iStock)
Lifestyle changes — such as maintaining a healthy weight, improving posture and monitoring long-term medication use — may help to manage or reduce the condition, experts say.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Although a buffalo hump itself is not usually dangerous, untreated underlying conditions can lead to more serious complications, including high blood pressure or sleep issues, according to Health.com.
“Identifying the cause early is important in ensuring the right treatment path is taken,” Mason said.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
At 75, Jane Seymour isn’t fighting the years under her belt — she’s leaning into them. The former Bond girl in “Live and Let Die” and star of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” has a simple outlook on aging: She’s just grateful for the opportunity.
Her perspective shifted radically in her 40s after a near-death experience involving anaphylactic shock, according to an interview the actress did with Women’s Health.
“I remember looking at my body from above and thinking, ‘That’s your vehicle. I am responsible for taking care of this car,’” Seymour recalled.
COMMON EATING HABIT MAY TRIGGER PREMATURE IMMUNE SYSTEM AGING, STUDY FINDS
The actress shared the following four key habits she uses to navigate her 70s with vitality.
1. Embrace a positive attitude
Seymour’s perspective shifted in her 40s after a near-death experience involving anaphylactic shock, she told Women’s Health. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation)
For Seymour, the mental game of aging is just as important as the physical. She said she approaches every day with a sense of optimism, which she describes as “getting up and not giving up.”
In a recent interview with Future of Personal Health, Seymour said that being depressed over lost youth is “redundant.” Instead of mourning the past, she embraces the present.
EXPERTS REVEAL WHY ‘NONNAMAXXING’ TREND MAY IMPROVE MENTAL, PHYSICAL HEALTH
“You were 20, and you had whatever that experience was,” she said. “Now, maybe you’re 70, and it’s a whole new world.”
2. Know your body
Seymour’s fitness routine is built on consistency rather than intensity, she shared. The actress aims to work out at least three times a week, but refuses to push herself to the point of injury.
“You were 20, and you had whatever that experience was,” she said. “Now, maybe you’re 70, and it’s a whole new world.” (Jane Seymour/Instagram)
“I listen to my body,” she told Women’s Health. “I’m not going to overdo it.”
Seymour’s workouts focus on strengthening her core, arms and legs. While her preference is the reformer (a Pilates machine), she is highly adaptable.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
When traveling without workout equipment, Seymour said she performs bodyweight exercises, even doing incline press-ups against a kitchen counter.
“I’m not going to pretend I’m 20 when I’m 70,” she said. “I’m going to be the best I can be at the age I am.”
3. Nourish your body
Rather than fighting the natural signs of a life well-lived, Seymour said she views her appearance as a professional asset.
Seymour focuses on a rigorous skincare and nutritional routine to maintain the “vehicle” she was given, she said. (Emma Mcintyre/Getty Images)
“I’m not chasing wrinkles,” she added. “My laugh lines and even my frown lines are useful in my work – they’re part of my toolkit.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The actress said she focuses on a rigorous skincare and nutritional routine to maintain the “vehicle” she was given.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
This includes a daily regimen of exfoliation and hydration, alongside a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
“I’m going to be the best I can be at the age I am.”
When her filming schedule makes fresh meals difficult, Seymour supplements with antioxidant blends to ensure there are “no nutritional gaps,” aiming for a holistic balance that allows her to “think sharper and move stronger.”
4. Nourish your mind
Perhaps the most profound tool in Seymour’s toolkit, she said, is her commitment to purpose. Inspired by her mother, a survivor of WWII concentration camps, Seymour believes that longevity is tied to how much one gives back to the world.
Seymour, inspired by her mother, a survivor of WWII concentration camps, created Open Hearts Foundation to give back to the community. (Jane Seymour/Instagram)
“My mother always said there’s someone worse off than you, and you can find purpose by helping others – listening and making them feel heard,” she shared.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This philosophy led Seymour to found the Open Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers others through grant-making and volunteerism.
“That’s the best way to end the day — knowing it wasn’t wasted.”
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The idea that aging is a steady, predictable process is being challenged by a new book, which describes a so-called “flicker stage” where some aspects of aging may briefly reverse.
Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley, authors of the book “Your Aging Advantage,” say aging may be more fluid than chronological age alone would suggest. They call this phenomenon the “flicker stage,” just one of seven stages of aging.
The “flicker stage” suggests functional age isn’t fixed, with people shifting between levels of youth and vitality based on lifestyle and mindset, the authors state.
FAITH DRIVES MAN TO HELP ANOTHER THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN DRAMATIC LIFE-OR-DEATH SCENE
Periods of feeling significantly younger, followed by times of feeling one’s age, may reflect what the authors describe as the “flicker stage.”
Riley said healthier aging involves “flickering back” to a younger state, noting that while stress or setbacks can make people feel older, those shifts aren’t permanent.
The secret to aging healthier is learning how to “flicker back” to a younger state when life pushes you forward, the authors said. (Milan Markovic/iStock)
“Through positive interventions, we have the ability to flicker back to the stage of age we want to be in … these setbacks or unforeseen circumstances might propel us to a different stage of aging, but we have this ability to flip it back through positive intervention.”
“Aging or growing older is [not] a problem to fix… it’s an opportunity to be seized.”
Riley said this requires identifying personal “flicker triggers” — physical, psychological, social or environmental shifts that help reset one’s pace, such as exercise or renewed social connection.
AGING ‘HOTSPOT’ FOUND IN BRAIN, RESEARCHERS SAY: ‘MAJOR CHANGES’
Most people already live with a “feels-like” age that doesn’t match their chronological age, said Kaplan, comparing it to a weather report.
“In the summertime, the weatherperson might say it’s 85 degrees outside, but with the humidity, it feels like 95… The feels-like age is the lived age, as compared to the chronological age or the age on your birth certificate.”
The authors suggest that engaging in your community is one way to activate the flicker stage. (iStock)
Focusing on the “lived age” may allow people to intentionally shift into a younger stage, according to the authors.
Instead of “aging in place,” which focuses on where one lives, they suggest focusing on “aging on pace.”
PSYCHIATRIST REVEALS HOW SIMPLE MINDSET SHIFTS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE CHRONIC PAIN
“It’s more about what’s important to us on a personal level… do we want to stay in employment and work for as long as we can? Do we want to be shifting gears… and pursuing other interests and pastimes that are important to us?” Riley asked.
Kaplan said the common focus on age 65 as a point of decline reflects a socially imposed retirement benchmark, not a biological marker.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“It comes from the Social Security Act that was created in 1935 in the United States. And here we are 90 years later, and we’re still thinking that 65 is an important age…. We didn’t use the word retirement back then. I mean, have you ever seen a farmer back in the 1800s… that says, ‘Oh, we’re going to retire because Grandpa is now going to be 62 or 65 years old?’”
The flicker effect works best when you stop viewing aging as a “downhill” perspective, the experts said. (iStock)
The flicker effect works best when you stop viewing aging as a “downhill” perspective, Riley and Kaplan said.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Even after a health setback shifts someone into a later stage, maintaining a positive and active approach may help move them back toward an earlier stage of aging, according to the authors.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Ultimately, the goal is to stop seeing the passage of time as a problem to be solved, Riley said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“Aging or growing older is [not] a problem to fix.… We want the mindset [that] it’s an opportunity to be seized.”
-
Miami, FL6 minutes agoWinners and losers of F1 Miami grand prix
-
Boston, MA12 minutes ago‘Distressing’ Number of Boston’s Gen Z Residents Eye the Exit as Housing Costs Soar
-
Denver, CO18 minutes agoLegacy score twice in waning minutes, beat fellow expansion side Denver for first win in franchise history
-
Seattle, WA24 minutes agoWhat Emmanuel Henderson Jr. says he’s bringing to Seattle Seahawks
-
San Diego, CA30 minutes agoBoy Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries In San Diego E-Bike Crash
-
Milwaukee, WI36 minutes agoMilwaukee illegal dumping; city leaders will unveil plans to help curb issue
-
Atlanta, GA42 minutes agoAtlantic Station in Atlanta is No. 1 spot to live in GA, Niche says – AOL
-
Minneapolis, MN48 minutes agoLittle Earth housing complex begins $50 million renovation