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.

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“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.

“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.

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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.

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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.”

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

A former Obama advisor outlined a “worst-case scenario” in the Middle East, warning Iran could escalate with attacks on key energy facilities in the Gulf as President Donald Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade tightens pressure on the regime.

“The worst-case scenario… is they decide, ‘Ok, if we can’t export our oil now and can’t generate revenue, we will attack the most sensitive targets among the Gulf states. We’ll go after their oil facilities as a way of putting pressure back on the United States to ease this on us,'” Dennis Ross said Sunday.

Ross warned the U.S. must be prepared to defend against potential Iranian retaliation targeting vulnerable, high-value energy infrastructure across Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait.

Such strikes, he said, could temporarily cripple oil production and risk escalating the conflict if not effectively deterred.

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“This thing can spin out of control unless we’re capable enough of preventing that,” he added.

Ross said the regime would stop short of destroying its own facilities on Kharg Island, a key energy resource that has been a focal point of the Trump administration’s campaign in the region, telling “Fox & Friends Weekend” that the oil export hub is something Iran “need[s] to be able to hold.”

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“They’ll go after everything that’s in the Gulf states…” Ross said. “Our blockading is an alternative to us seizing Kharg Island. We can seize it, but then our forces there would be quite vulnerable. This is a much smarter move than seizing Kharg Island.”

Trump announced an “all-or-nothing” blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday morning, stressing during a Fox News exclusive interview that every country would either be allowed full access through the waterway or none at all, with no exceptions for allies.

“We think that numerous countries are going to be helping us with this also, but we’re putting on a complete blockade,” he told “Sunday Morning Futures.”

The decision followed unsuccessful peace talks with Iranian regime leaders in Pakistan over the weekend.

Sophie Cunningham emerged as one of the leaders of the Indiana Fever during the 2025 season as she fiercely defended Caitlin Clark and the rest of her teammates at various points of the year.

Cunningham faced whether to return to Indiana for at least the 2026 season as she was set to be a free agent. However, on Sunday, she made the decision to return to the Fever.

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Indiana and Cunningham agreed to a one-year contract, the team announced.

“We had a really special group last year and it was an incredible first season for me in Indy; I loved everything about my teammates and the Fever organization,” she said, via the team’s website. “We fought through a ton of adversity, and it was important to me that we have a chance to see through what we started.

“I have a feeling this is going to be another special season, so I’m excited to get things started and to, of course, keep playing in front of the best fans in the WNBA. Let’s get spicy!”

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Cunningham played 30 games for Indiana before her season was cut short due to an MCL tear. She averaged 8.6 points per game and shot a career-high 43.2% from 3-point range.

The Fever expect her to be a key piece for the team looking to make a championship run.

“I think she’s always willing to step in and do whatever it takes to win,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said.

“… When you have a shooter like Sophie – somebody who’s consistently at the top of the league every single year in terms of her effectiveness from beyond the arc – that really helps everybody else too… Everything she brings to the table as a competitor, I think will impact us.”

Even with injuries to Cunningham and Clark, Indiana finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 24-20 record. Indiana upset the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Las Vegas Aces in five games in the semifinals.

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