ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THAT BUMP AT THE BASE OF YOUR NECK (INCLUDING WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR)

Stress reduction techniques like mindfulness or counseling can help improve your condition (Source: Freepik)

A neck or buffalo hump refers to a fatty deposit that forms at the base of the neck. It might look like a little bump or hump. But, what leads to this condition?

Ananya, a nutritionist and content creator informs her followers on Instagram, “Did you know neck/buffalo hump is a sign of excess cortisol and chronic fatigue?” Cortisol, it is a hormone our bodies make to perform important fuctions such as managing stress and controlling blood sugar. But, when we have too much cortisol for too long, it can cause some issues.

However, is the neck or buffalo hump one of them? 

According to a 2022 study published in Clinics in Dermatology, the buffalo hump is described as “the dramatic accumulation of fat in the dorsocervical region of the body.” 

Dr Jagadish J Hiremath, a public health intellectual, argues that having this hump doesn't always mean you have excess cortisol or chronic fatigue, but it can sometimes be a sign of it. “Buffalo humps, characterised by fat accumulation on the upper back and neck, are not exclusively caused by elevated cortisol levels or Cushing's syndrome. Factors like genetics, certain medications, or other health conditions can also lead to their formation.”

This distinction is important, he says, because it guides appropriate medical evaluations and avoids misdiagnoses based on assumptions about cortisol imbalance.

Treatment options for cortisol-related buffalo humps

When buffalo humps are indeed related to excess cortisol, such as in Cushing’s syndrome, Dr Hiremath says, treatment strategies include:

Surgical Intervention: Surgical removal of tumors on the adrenal or pituitary glands is a primary treatment.

Radiation Therapy: Used when surgical removal is incomplete or infeasible, to target residual tumor cells.

Lifestyle Modifications: If not directly related to cortisol, interventions might focus on managing weight and improving physical fitness to reduce fat deposition.

Ensure that you eat a diet rich in nutrients that supports overall health and energy levels. (Source: Freepik)

Challenging misconceptions and promoting proper diagnosis

“It is crucial to dispel myths that buffalo humps alone indicate serious health conditions like Cushing's syndrome,” he says. Educating the public on the variety of causes behind buffalo humps is key to preventing anxiety and ensuring accurate diagnoses. Individuals should be encouraged to seek professional health evaluations rather than self-diagnosing or relying on incomplete online information.

Managing chronic fatigue associated with elevated cortisol

Addressing chronic fatigue when related to cortisol imbalance involves taking the following steps according to Dr Hiremath:

Regulated physical activity: Engaging in gentle exercises that do not overstrain the body.

Balanced diet: Ensuring a diet rich in nutrients that supports overall health and energy levels.

Adequate sleep and stress management: Implementing good sleep hygiene and stress reduction techniques like mindfulness or counseling to improve both psychological and physical health.

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2024-05-04T13:17:29Z dg43tfdfdgfd