Ever heard of pannus stomach? This type of stomach is called an abdominal pannus or panniculus. It’s an overhanging fold of abdominal fat and skin which usually extends below the waistline. There aren’t exact numbers for how many people have a Pannus stomach, per se. But it’s common in people who are obese.
“More than one billion people in the world are now living with obesity,” World Obesity Federation says. If obesity is affecting a significant amount of people, that means this condition is quite common. Not only are obese people prone to pannus stomach. It also happens to people who lose a lot of weight, like after a weight loss surgery, because their skin doesn’t tighten back.
Symptoms and Complications of Pannus Stomach
Common Symptoms
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Difficulty moving
- Skin issues like rashes, infections, or irritation, difficulty breathing
Severe Complications
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Bowel Obstruction
- Perforation
Causes and risk factors of Pannus Stomach
The causes of this condition are divided into two main parts: primary causes and secondary causes.
Primary Causes
Obesity: Obesity is the most common cause of pannus stomach. When a person has a lot of extra weight, it forms a large fold of skin and fat in the belly area. The more weight the person gains, the bigger the pannus can get.
Autoimmune diseases: Some diseases where the body attacks itself, like rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause a person to develop this. These diseases can lead to weight gain or even cause issues that can prevent you from exercising, which causes your body to store more fat.
Secondary Causes
Trauma: If someone has been in a serious accident or had surgery on their stomach, it can cause the skin in that area to stretch or loosen, which might eventually turn into a pannus.
Infections: There are certain infections that can lead to weight gain or skin damage. One example is if someone has an infection that causes inflammation or swelling. This inflammation or swelling could eventually lead to an accumulation of fat or skin in the belly area.
Risk Factors
Being overweight or obese: Basically, the biggest risk factor for developing a pannus stomach is being overweight. The more fat a person carries, especially around their belly, the higher the chance of developing a pannus over time.
Rapid weight loss: Losing extra weight too quickly, like after a bariatric surgery or an extreme diet, can cause pannus stomach. That’s because the skin which was initially stretched by the extra weight, ends up being loose and might not shrink back to its original size, which causes it to hang down as a pannus.
Age: As people get older, their skin loses its elasticity, meaning that it’s harder for the skin to tighten, even after a weight loss.
Lack of exercise: If someone doesn’t exercise or stay active, they are more likely to gain weight, which can lead to the development of a pannus stomach.
Genetics: Some people are just more likely to store fat in certain areas of their body due to their genes. If you are someone who has a parent or family member with a pannus stomach, you are at a higher risk of developing this later on in life.
Bottom Line
A pannus stomach is just a big fold of fat and skin hanging below your waist. It’s mostly caused by obesity, but can also happen if you lose a lot of weight fast. It causes problems like belly pain, trouble moving, skin rashes, and breathing issues. In serious cases, it can lead to infections or bowel blockages.
