Acromegaly, caused by excess growth hormone production due to a pituitary gland tumor, can cause physical changes such as swelling of hands and feet, facial features, and goiter, as well as neurological symptoms like headaches. Other symptoms include organ enlargement, hoarseness of voice, and chronic fatigue. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as arthritis, diabetes, and vision loss. Treatment involves removing the tumor, reducing growth hormone levels with drugs, or both.
The most common symptoms of acromegaly are headache and partial loss of vision. However, because acromegaly involves both tumor growth and increased hormone levels, this disease can cause a variety of neurological and physical changes. More obvious physical changes might include swelling of the feet or hands, which is evident by a significant change in shoe or ring size; enlargement or enlargement of facial features, which can be determined by comparison with old photographs of the individual; and goiter caused by swelling of the thyroid gland. These visually recognizable acromegaly symptoms might develop gradually over a period of several years.
Acromegaly is a rare pituitary disorder that usually develops in middle age. In this disease, the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone, usually due to the presence of a benign tumor called an adenoma. The neurological symptoms of acromegaly, such as headaches, are caused by pressure from the tumor on nearby tissue. Occasionally, the symptoms of acromegaly could be caused by a tumor elsewhere in the body, such as in the pancreas or lungs.
Symptoms of acromegaly related to excess growth hormone production can cause a variety of enlarged tissues or organs. Organ enlargement could include the heart, liver, spleen, or kidneys. Dilated sinuses or vocal cords could lead to a gradual deepening or hoarseness of the voice. Other types of swollen or enlarged tissue might include an increase in the size of the chest or tongue, protrusion of the lower jaw, widening of the nose, or thickening of the palms or soles. Tissue swelling could cause chronic sinus congestion or sleep apnea.
Other symptoms that may not be immediately linked to acromegaly include having multiple skin tags or small skin growths, excess body odor or sweat, acne or oily skin, chronic fatigue, or muscle weakness. In women, menstrual periods may become irregular, while men may experience difficulty maintaining or achieving an erection. Both genders may experience limited mobility due to chronic back or joint pain.
Left untreated, acromegaly can have serious complications, leading to permanent damage and accompanying medical conditions. These could include arthritis, cardiomyopathy, colon polyps, uterine fibroids, diabetes, high blood pressure or total vision loss. Although treatment cannot reverse the bone growth caused by acromegaly, it can often reduce or cease tissue swelling and reduce an individual’s risk of serious complications. Treatment might be to remove the tumor with surgery or radiation therapy, use drugs to reduce growth hormone levels, or both.
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