What is a widow's hump and how to get rid of it

What is a widow's hump

This is the colloquial name for a thickening in the upper back, under the neck, because of which a person looks stooped and drooping.

Some experts believeDowager Hump / HealthLine such a definition is incorrect and offensive. At least because the problem occurs not only among women, but also among men.

Where does the widow's hump come from?

Widow's hump is not an independent disease, but a symptom. In Western medicine, its appearance is usually associated withHow You Can Fix a Dowager's Hump + Prevention Tips / Cleveland Clinic with curvature of the spine, or kyphosis. In Russian, the term is most often understood"Widow's hump", or "withers" / Invitro an accumulation of adipose tissue in the lower part of the neck. Western doctors agree with this reason, but they callHump ​​behind the shoulders (Dorsocervical fat pad) / Mount Sinai a hump of this origin is differently - not a "widow's", but a "buffalo hump".

Be that as it may, in both cases, the thickening looks about the same. Here are the factors that lead to its appearance.

1. Poor posture

Perhaps the person hunched over a lot at the desk or was engaged in hard physical labor. For example, he carried a heavy backpack or bag behind his back, washed it with his hands, worked in the field. Chronic overstrain of the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle associated with improper posture is consideredHow You Can Fix a Dowager's Hump + Prevention Tips / Cleveland Clinic the most common cause of kyphosis and "widow's hump" as a manifestation of a curved spine.

2. Osteoporosis

Wherein disease washed out from bone tissueOsteoporosis / Mayo Clinic calcium. Therefore, they become fragile, the risk of fractures increases sharply.

The spine experiences vertical stress, so vertebral fractures are most often compressional, that is, caused by pressure. Recognizing such an injury can be difficult. Kyphosis is often one of the most visible signs. It is formed like this: a person unconsciously tilts his head forward to relieve the load from the damaged vertebra, and then lifts it up and slightly back to see in front of him.

3. Aging

Over the years, back muscles loseTayebeh Roghani, Minoo Khalkhali Zavieh, Farideh Dehghan Manshadi, Nicole King, and Wendy Katzman. Age-related hyperkyphosis: update of its potential causes and clinical impacts — narrative review / Aging Clinical and Experimental Research strength and cannot support the spine in a normal position. A role is also played by age-related decrease in vision and hearing, due to which a person begins to stretch his head forward in order to better hear or see something. In combination, this leads to the appearance of kyphosis and a distinct hump in the region of the lower part of the neck.

4. Obesity

Excess fat is depositedHump ​​behind the shoulders (Dorsocervical fat pad) / School of Medicine at Mount Sinai including in the area behind the neck, which can lead to the formation of a widow's hump.

5. Menopause in women

When it decreasesWhat Women Need to Know / National Osteoporosis Foundation hormone production estrogen. It is essential for the production of bone tissue. When its amount drops sharply, bones become fragile, and the risk of osteoporosis, and therefore kyphosis, increases.

On the other hand, hormonal imbalances can lead toMenopause weight gain: Stop the middle age spread / Mayo Clinic to rapid weight gain. Usually fatty tissue is deposited in the abdomen. However, if things go to obesity, then a "widow's withers" may appear.

6. Cushing's syndrome

This is the name of a disorder in which the body accumulatesCushing's syndrome / NHS too much stress hormone cortisol. Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include rapid weight gain and the appearance of a "buffalo hump".

7. Certain types of cancer

Adrenal cancer or pituitary tumors leadSigns and Symptoms of Adrenal Cancers / National Cancer Information Center to the fact that the adrenal glands begin to produce too much cortisol. This causes the same symptoms as with Cushing's syndrome. Including the appearance of a fat hump.

8. Taking certain medications

Accumulation of fat in the lower part of the neck can causeCushing syndrome / Mayo Clinic and taking corticosteroid medications. The mechanism is the same as in the development of Cushing's syndrome: the body accumulates too much cortisol, which is contained in such drugs.

Also under suspicion are some drugs of older generations for the treatment HIV. SupposedSamir K. Gupta, Michael P. Dubé. Exogenous Cushing Syndrome Mimicking Human Immunodeficiency Virus Lipodystrophy / Clinical Infectious Diseasesthat taking these drugs can affect the adrenal glands and lead to a condition similar to Cushing's syndrome.

9. Congenital disorders

Some people are bornHow You Can Fix a Dowager's Hump + Prevention Tips / Cleveland Clinic with an incorrectly formed spine, therefore, a widow's hump is found in them from childhood.

Another variant of the disorder is Scheuermann's kyphosis. It is a hereditary disorder that leads to a gradual curvature of the spine. Usually, the pathology becomes noticeable in adolescence, which is why it is sometimes calledAufdermaur, M. M.D. Juvenile Kyphosis (Scheuermann's Disease) / Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research juvenile kyphosis.

How to get rid of a widow's hump

The most effective way is to eliminate the cause that ledHump ​​behind the shoulders (Dorsocervical fat pad) / School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to the formation of a hump.

A qualified doctor will help with this. The therapist will conduct an examination, look into the medical history, and ask you about your lifestyle. Perhaps suggestHump ​​Behind the Shoulders // HealthLine complete additional research:

• blood test to determine the level of cortisol;
• X-rays of the upper spine and neck to determine the degree of kyphosis or to establish a compression fracture;
• density test bone is a screening for osteoporosis;
• MRI or CT of the spine to study the condition of the vertebrae in more detail.

When the doctor understands the reasons, he will recommend ways to get rid of the hump. Suppose, if it is found that it is a side effect of drugs, the physician will select an alternative drug or look for an opportunity to reduce the dose. If the defect is a consequence of obesity, he will advise diet and exercise therapy.

With kyphosis, emphasis is madeHow You Can Fix a Dowager's Hump + Prevention Tips / Cleveland Clinic to strengthen the muscles of the back and maintain correct posture. A physiotherapist, massage therapist, and a qualified physiotherapy coach can help with this. Osteoporosis is corrected with drugs that increase bone density. With Cushing's syndrome, tumors, the doctor will refer you to specialized specialists - an endocrinologist or oncologist. They will prescribe further treatment.

How to prevent a widow's hump

Here are some methods to reduce your risk of withers.

1. Monitor your posture

This is the most efficient way prevent kyphosis and the appearance of hump as its symptom.

2. Strengthen the muscles of the upper back

They help relieve unnecessary stress on the spine and keep it in a normal position.

There are many exercise for the back muscles. If you're unsure where to start, see a physical therapist or sign up for exercise therapy.

3. To live an active lifestyle

Regular exercise is one of the most effectiveOsteoporosis. Prevention / Cleveland Clinic ways to maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Move more: walk, run, do fitness and strength training.

4. Monitor your diet

It should haveOsteoporosis. Prevention / Cleveland Clinic enough vitamins and minerals. In particular, we are talking about calcium and vitamin D - they are especially important in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Here are high content foods calcium:

• salmon, sardines;
• white cabbage, broccoli;
• dairy products;
• dried figs;
• calcium-fortified store juices and breads.

Here's a food to help you maintain a healthy level. vitamin D:

• sea ​​fish: salmon, sardines, tuna;
• seafood: shrimps, oysters;
• egg yolks;
• store foods fortified with vitamin D, such as breakfast cereals, milk, bread.

5. Do not overeat

This is essential to maintain a healthy weight. In order not to feel constant hunger, try to eat more often, but in small portions.

6. Be attentive to your health

If you notice that you have begun to gain weight and cannot cope with it, or that you regularly back hurts, but neither exercise nor pain relievers help, be sure to talk about this with a therapist. The doctor will tell you how to proceed.

The sooner you see a doctor, the easier it will be to stop potential violations.