What is Acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a chronic metabolic disorder in which body produce too much hormones after puberty. It is very rare hormonal disorder and life-threatening condition in which the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH) which is caused by GH-secreting pituitary tumor. Acromegaly occurs in middle age men and women. When hormones are grow too much in the body then these tissues grow larger than normal. These excessive hormones cause serious disease swelling, tissue growth and skin thickening. If it is untreated then it leads to premature death and serious illness. Acromegaly is occurring rare which affects three to four out of every million people per year.
Differential Diagnosis: Untreated, acromegaly is linked to early heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, diabetes, and colonic polyps, a precursor of colon cancer.
Causes of Acromegaly: Acromegaly is caused by long term production of growth hormone and the most common cause is non-cancerous (benign) tumor in pituitary gland. Pituitary is a small gland which produces important hormones to control body functions. Pituitary tumor produces excess GH and expand it cause headaches and disturbance. It is alter to other production of hormones in men and women. Second cause is Non-Pituitary Tumors, caused not by pituitary tumors but by the tumors of lungs adrenal gland and pancreas. When tumors grow then it put pressure on surrounding the brain tissue and result in affect the person vision.
Symptoms of Acromegaly: The symptoms can affect both physical and general health; common signs are enlarged feet and hand. Some causes is depending on the age. Some common symptoms of Acromegaly are:
• Large facial features such as over growth of mouth, nose and tongue
• Headaches and loss of vision
• Increase in sweating and body odor
• Increase in shoe
• Back pain
• Joint pain
• Arthritis
• Skin tags
• Changes in skin thickening, oiliness
• Widely spaced teeth
• Hair, excessive on females
• Easy fatigue, Weight loss
• Swelling on internal organs
• High blood pressure
• Increased thirst or urination
• Difficulty in breathing
Treatment of Acromegaly: Usually the acromegaly is developing slowly when any changes are appearing then consult to your doctor. There are several methods for treatment; appropriate method is based on tumor. Doctor will take all history of your disease and suggest surgery to remove pituitary tumor, Radiation therapy and medication this treatment may use before surgery. Take all these treatment by professional health care provider. If it is not treated then it causes serious complication. Quick treatment is important.
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