DO I HAVE GYNECOMASTIA OR CHEST FAT? 7 WAYS TO TELL

A swelling in the chest of a man isn’t really that uncommon. While some might be okay with it, others can be curious about the cause. A visible enlargement could be either Gynecomastia or simple fat accumulation. 

In most cases, it is wise to get the condition checked out for future assurance. It is also important to note that Dr. Amit Mulay is a known cosmetic surgeon in Pune for gynecomastia treatment in Pune. Follow on as this article explores more on gynecomastia vs fat, and their indications for your better understanding. 

What is Gynecomastia and its symptoms? 

The following is a condition where enlargements of male breast tissue could be seen as a result of a decrease in Testosterone. Invertedly, Estrogen in the body increases, affecting the glandular tissue. The following are some of the symptoms of Gynecomastia that one must look for. 

• Breast tissue enlargement 
• Obesity 
• Breast tenderness 
• Chest lumps
• Chest discomfort 

What are the causes of Gynecomastia?

Here are some of the contributing causes of gynecomastia in Pune: 

Medication

While certain medicines increase estrogen production in the body, others block testosterone secretion. It is widely known that androgens, such as the male hormone, keep Estrogen production under control, so a lack of the former will ultimately add to the cause. 

Some of the medicines that might lead to gynecomastia are as follows: 

• Antidepressant 
• Anti-anxiety drugs
• Epilepsy medicines 
• Anti-androgens 
• Ulcer treatment medicines and more 

 Recreational drugs

Some cases of gynecomastia can be traced back to a person’s recreational drug habits. Overconsumption of alcohol and other drugs can reduce testosterone levels in the blood. Anabolic steroids, marijuana, and methadone are some of the gynecomastia-causing substances. 

Hormonal imbalance

The most frequent cause of the mentioned condition is hormonal imbalance. The imbalance can be seen in males of any age. 

• New-born babies can get excess estrogen from their mothers. They acquire breast buds which usually go away after some time. 
• Gynecomastia is also commonly seen around the time of puberty as the body goes through a lot of hormonal changes. As things get normal within the body, any excess breast tissue disappears.
• For adults, hormonal imbalance is still one of the root causes. However, the breast tissues can be removed, and cosmetic surgeons in Pune can help you with that.

Difference between gynecomastia and chest fat

Regarding gynecomastia vs fat, it is worth noting that chest fat in men is a sign of an unhealthy lifestyle leading to obesity. The chest is an area where excess fats accumulate making it look big. It is not a medical condition and can be easily gotten rid of with lifestyle changes.

Gynecomastia on the other hand is a medical condition stemming from hormone changes within the body. It is identified as an enlargement of a gland and not just fat deposits. The prominent treatment option for the condition of grown-up men is cosmetic surgery. 

7 ways to know if it is gynecomastia or chest fat?

To start things off, proper diagnosis is the best way to determine the cause of any form of chest swelling. Here are seven ways to analyze whether you have gynecomastia or just chest fat.

1. If you are in your teens with swollen chests and lumps, the chances are it is gynecomastia. It does not need surgery, as it will go away with time.
2. Body fat is a good indicator of understanding your swollen chest. A thorough fat percentage calculation will give your doctor the idea to categorize your problem.
3. Breast tissue enlargement is linked to past medical conditions—any form of structural changes to your chest after a disease can be gynecomastia.
4. Your doctor can easily explain your chest abnormalities by looking at your blood’s hormone count after a lab test. 
5. For people with excess body fat, balancing your diet is important to prevent breast tissue enlargement. 
6. The structure of the chest is a good indicator. Erect nipples and firm breasts indicate gynecomastia.
7. Lastly, men who are in the habit of daily substance abuse or recreational drugs look out for glandular changes. 

By now, you should have a general idea of the two conditions and how to differentiate between the two. Under any circumstance, if you feel like you have the gynecomastia condition, visit Dr. Amit Mulay today. He is an excellent cosmetic surgeon in Pune who excels at versatility and professionalism in his craft.