There are various medical conditions that may contribute to a double chin. Some of these include an underactive thyroid, Cushing's disease, kidney disorders, salivary gland inflammation and a sinus infection.
If you have a double chin despite being skinny, your body just happens to genetically store extra fat around the jawline. There's really nothing unusual about it, but it does present a challenge in that your chin fat is much harder to target through diet and exercise alone.
Health Issues
An underlying health problem usually causes this. For example, if you have a thyroid problem or are taking medication for high blood pressure, you may notice a double chin.
Low levels of vitamin K2 result in calcification of elastin, the cause of double chins, piles and varicose veins.
The causes for this can be anything from water retention to more serious causes such as hormonal, thyroid or gland problems. Or, it could simply be genetic, some people are genetically predisposed to the appearance of neck fat.
Familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type
In some patients, adipose tissue accumulates on the face and neck, causing a double chin, fat neck, or cushingoid appearance.
A diet high in calories, processed foods, and unhealthful fats may influence weight gain and a double chin as well. Genes may play a role in people developing a double chin. Anyone with a family history of skin with little elasticity or double chins might be more likely to develop one themselves.
A double chin, also known as submental fat, is a common concern because hormonal changes and genetics can lead to fat tissue accumulation in the chin area. Losing weight can help reduce your overall body fat percentage, but you can't spot-reduce fat.
A swelling or enlargement in the neck is a visible clue that something may be wrong with the thyroid. A goiter may occur with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Sometimes swelling in the neck can result from thyroid cancer or nodules, lumps that grow inside the thyroid.
Being dehydrated can also contribute to the development of a double chin because the body will start to retain more water. Things like poor posture and sagging or wrinkled skin can make a double chin's presence even more pronounced.
Double Chin Causes.
For example, obesity, which is the main cause of a double chin, can be linked to several health issues, including a higher mortality rate, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more. Obesity isn't the only cause of double chins.
This occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone that regulates the body's metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss, increased appetite but no weight gain, fatigue, more frequent bowel movements, hand tremors, irregular heartbeat, increased sensitivity to heat, etc.
Chronic sinusitis causes swelling of the lymph nodes. This generally gives the face and neck a puffy look resulting in the appearance of a double chin.
Excess Fat
Probably the most common cause of a double chin is simply a general excess of fat. When you gain weight, the tendency is to see fat deposited all across the body, and unfortunately, that includes in the face and under the chin.
But Will It Work on My Double Chin? Not exactly. While chewing gum can help keep the muscles of your jaw strong and may give your chin a little lift, chewing gum cannot reduce fat deposits found in your double chin.
Doing an at-home thyroid neck check can help you find lumps or an enlarged thyroid gland. All you need to do a thyroid self-check is a mirror and a glass of water. You take a sip of water and watch your neck as you swallow. If you notice any areas that look or feel bigger or bumpier than normal, let your provider know.
When the ratio of estrogen is higher than it should be, it can lead to numerous uncomfortable symptoms, including sore throat before ovulation, a puffy face, heavy or painful periods, fatigue, weight gain, fertility issues, and mood swings or depression.
A high release of hormones, especially cortisol, is a cause of moon face. This is called hyperadrenocorticism or hypercortisolism. The adrenal glands, triangular-shaped glands that sit on top of the kidneys, release the cortisol.
Facial characteristics that reveal high levels of sex hormones might signal the presence of a robust immune system. In men, high testosterone levels are associated with prominent cheekbones, wide jaw, and long chin. In women, high estrogen levels are associated with prominent cheekbones, narrow jaw, and short chin.
Genetics can cause us to store too much fat around our necks. Ageing is also a culprit, as it can cause our skin to loosen and sag in the neck area. This can make us look as if our neck is fatter, as the skin no longer has enough support from collagen and elastin to maintain its contoured and streamlined appearance.
With Cushing syndrome, the fat produced often deposits in the neck, known as lipodystrophy. This produces the characteristic buffalo hump. Cushing syndrome may be caused by an adrenal tumor, lung tumor, or glucocorticoid medications. If Cushing syndrome is caused by a pituitary tumor, it is known as Cushing disease.
Causes may include: Certain medications such as corticosteroids (prednisone, hydrocortisone, cortisone) and some medications used to treat HIV/AIDS (particularly older medications) Obesity (a buffalo neck hump may be seen along with generalized fat deposition)