Gynecomastia Affects Celebrities and Commoners Alike

Gynecomastia is the unnatural development of fatty cells in the breast area of men. Otherwise known as "moobs", this development can occur in men from the early stages of adolescence into late aging as a senior citizen. The term is derived from a Greek term meaning "woman" and "breast", and was most commonly used to describe the puffiness that occurred around some male nipples. However, cases are not simply universal - the condition takes many different sizes and shapes that are subjective to each individual. While cosmetic surgery can be used to decrease the visual puffiness of gynecomastia, the abnormal development is said by medical professionals to be a sign of larger issues such as obesity, testicular cancer, or hormonal imbalances. Cases referred to as "pseudo" are generally created by an unhealthy diet, and rigorous exercise can, in some cases, remove the development. Nevertheless, for those who have the condition, medical examination may be in order. Some medical professionals warn that the condition may be caused by tumors, kidney failure, liver failure, or malnutrition. If you are unsure if you have the condition or have never been diagnosed but may suspect, it would be a wise idea to see a medical professional about the issue. As our obsession with celebrities continues, many tabloid publications and websites have attempted to collect a gallery of the famous who suffer from gynecomastia, many of these occurring in stars who are over 50 years of age. Some of these celebrities include the super famous, such as John Travolta, Jack Nicholson, Simon Cowell, Tony Blair, Jack Black, Val Kilmer, Kurt Russell, Chris Noth, and David Caruso. Many of these images show these mega famous folk sunbathing or swimming without their shirts on, revealing small to severe cases of gynecomastia. While many of these pictures exist, it is unclear whether or not these celebrities and ultra-famous people were diagnosed with the condition. Nevertheless, some films portray the condition in a humorous light, poking lighthearted fun at various characters that developed the condition. One of these portrayals took place in Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club. In one scene, the main character, played by Edward Norton, meets a former steroid user who developed breasts after discontinued use of the drug. Played by Meat Loaf, the large and sweaty character embraces Norton's character in a bear hug and sobs during a community help group meeting. In several of his other films, the husky Seth Rogan was known to make cracks about his own issues with gynecomastia. While many comedies bring this up as a humorous archetype for larger characters, the condition is serious and those who suffer from it should seek medical consultation. While many insurance companies do not cover surgeries to repair the condition because it is seen as simply cosmetic in nature, the condition can indicate other health problems that may need to be looked at by a medical professional.