Outlook '03 - Extra spaces between paragraphs

Hello. Using Outlook 2003, when I compose and send messages using Microsoft Office Word 2003, and I put proper spacing between the paragraphs, everything looks great when I send it and when I look at my "Sent" messages. However, if I send it to myself, when it comes to my "Inbox" the spaces between the paragraphs look like they have been doubled. This also happens with individual words and sentences. If I put words or sentences directly under one another with no space, then when they come to my "Inbox" they have spaces, as if they are in separate paragraphs. This also happens on the other end when people receive the messages. Can someone help? Thank you.