Acromegaly is a disorder characterized by hands and feet getting larger than normal, as well as abnormal growth of the nose, ears, and lips. The disease occurs when growth hormone levels increase due to an issue with the pituitary gland. Signs and symptoms usually start during adulthood and get worse over time. In addition to enlarged hands, feet, nose, ears, and lips one may also experience headaches; changes in vision; increased sweating or body odor; joint pain; diarrhea; constipation; impotence in males (due to enlarged prostate); high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes that does not respond well to treatment even when sugar levels are controlled.
- Acromegaly is a disorder characterized by hands and feet getting larger than normal, as well as abnormal growth of the nose, ears, and lips.
- The disease occurs when growth hormone levels increase due to an issue with the pituitary gland.Â
- Signs and symptoms usually start during adulthood and get worse over time.
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In addition to enlarged hands, feet, nose, ears, and lips one may also experience headaches; changes in vision; increased sweating or body odor; joint pain; diarrhea; constipation; impotence in males (due to enlarged prostate); high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes that does not respond well to treatment even when sugar levels are controlled.Â
In acromegaly, the function of the body is affected by excess growth hormones. Cells that were meant to grow are continuing to grow in an uncontrolled manner, especially in the extremities. This causes bone growth and tissue growth to occur over a prolonged period of time. There is also an increase in the size of some internal organs due to increased hormone production. The pituitary gland produces excessive growth hormone, causing acromegaly and an increase in growth hormone secretion. As a result, other hormones such as prolactin can also be increased, causing further health problems.
Acromegaly can occur for a number of reasons. The majority of cases are due to the pituitary tumor (beneath the hypothalamus) secreting growth hormone excessively. A tumor can also be due to a non-secreting tumor and other tumors which do not involve the pituitary gland can cause symptoms similar to acromegaly. Tumors which arise directly in the anterior pituitary itself, where growth hormone is produced, are uncommon and most cases of gigantism and acromegaly are due to another mechanism.
Acromegaly usually first develops during adulthood, although it has been known to develop earlier (as early as age 2 in rare cases). Acromegaly is a disorder of the endocrine system which causes abnormal growth in the body. It is typically identified by enlargement of the hands and feet and a round or obese face. Poorly managed it can seriously threaten one's health due to metabolic changes including diabetes, heart problems and even premature death from heart attacks or strokes.
Fortunately, this condition can be treated effectively through medication, surgery or radiation therapy, according to The Endocrine Society's Practice Guidelines for Acromegaly. The hypothalamus (the gland which regulates growth hormone) is located at the base of the brain. It sends out a signal to the pituitary gland (another gland that lies below the brain) to release growth hormone. The growth hormone, in turn, tells cells in other organs and tissues to grow and multiply.
In acromegaly, a tumor of the pituitary gland causes cells in the tumor to overproduce growth hormone. This can cause disease throughout your body as your tissues respond to it. Some people with this disease have one large pituitary tumor that makes a lot of GH. Others may have many small tumors on pituitary cells that make GH.
