Acromegaly is the condition where the body
and its various parts experience excessive growth due to the excessive
production of the growth hormone by the body as a result of a pituitary tumor.
Acromegaly
is relative to over-production of the growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary
gland which results in the face and the appendages to become abnormally large.
This also has an adverse effect not only on the bones but also on the heart.
There
are various types of treatment available for acromegaly and the exact type of
treatment method for the individual case will be decided by certain factors
pertaining to the patient as well as the details of the case. As this is a
gradually progressive disorder it can sometimes be years before the patient can
even experience any sign or symptoms.
Causes of Acromegaly
A
pituitary gland tumor is the main cause for the development of acromegaly in a
person. The pituitary gland is the smallest, but most important,
hormone-secreting gland in the body. It is mainly responsible for producing
various important hormones itself as well as for regulating the production of
chemicals and hormones by the other glands present in the entire body.
One
of the main hormones produced by the pituitary gland is the growth hormone
(GH), which is responsible for helping the bones and organs to grow at a
uniform and normal rate. At times, a tumor in the pituitary gland can affect
the function of the pituitary gland and cause it to produce excessive amounts
of the GH. This leads to the bones and the organs in the body to grow at an
abnormally fast rate.
Overgrown
organs and bones can also lead to other health disorders as well as health
risks if left untreated for long.
Signs/Symptoms of Acromegaly
The
first sign to be noticed is the abnormal rate at which the hands and feet seem
to grow. This is usually noticed when the patient is unable to wear a used shoe
or a ring due to enlarged hands and feet.
This
condition also affects the facial features, such as the tongue, nose and the
lips, making them thick and coarse in appearance. The teeth are also seen
creating more space between them as the jaw bone grows larger. The brow becomes
more prominent and the lower jaw is seen growing as well.
Other
more commonly seen signs may include:
- Painful joints
- Rough body hair
- Deeper voice
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac (heart) disorders
- Nerve problems
- Thicker skin
- Headaches
- Excessive sweating
- Extreme body odor
- Sleeping disorders
- Fatigue
- Weak muscles
- Decreased libido (sex drive)
- Irregular menstrual periods (in women)
- Erectile dysfunction (in men)
It
is advised to consult an experienced physician/doctor in case any of these
signs or symptoms are seen as these can lead to other major health problems if
left untreated.
Most effective treatment procedure for Acromegaly
Although,
there are various pituitary tumor treatment methods used in treating the
condition and the symptoms of acromegaly the most effective treatment has been
found to be the surgical treatment method. This is the most effective treatment
method for large-sized pituitary tumors which tend to affect the surrounding
healthy soft tissue structure.
Earlier
this surgery used to be performed using conventional method of surgery by accessing
the pituitary tumor through a hole in the head (craniotomy) however with the
advances in surgical science surgeons today use to more efficient and minimally
invasive transsphenoidal endoscopic pituitary tumor surgical technique. In this
the surgeon will not need to make incisions but will gain access through the
natural passage created by the nasal cavity (nose).
