Acromegaly
Causes, Tests and Treatments
J.P. Sperring, MA
M. Juliette Smith, MD (Ed.)
Smashwords Edition
****
Copyright 2011 J.P. Sperring, MA; M. Juliette Smith, MD (Ed.)
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Contents
Appendix A: Internet Resources / Further Reading
Appendix B: Complete Directory of Holistic Physicians Listed By State
Acromegaly is progressive, acquired condition caused by the development of a benign tumor in the pituitary gland (pituitary adenoma). When the condition impacts children prior to the end of puberty, extra growth hormone can cause gigantism. If untreated, the disease can possibly induce life-threatening complications.
Acromegaly is an uncommon disorder that affects males and females equally. This disorder occurs in roughly 50 to 70 persons per million. Researchers estimate that 3-4 out of every million develop acromegaly every year. However, since the symptoms may develop slowly, the disorder may well be unrecognized and underdiagnosed, making it difficult to establish the correct incidence of acromegaly in the common population.
Acromegaly can occur at any age just after puberty, but usually occurs through the fourth and fifth decades. If the condition occurs just before puberty, the disorder is called gigantism, not acromegaly.
The symptoms of acromegaly usually occur gradually and develop more as affected individuals age. The symptoms that develop may differ greatly from individual to individual. Acromegaly can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
Overgrowth of soft tissues and cartilage can affect facial features. For example, facial bones gradually come to be more prominent, including a protruding lower jaw and an underbite (prognathism). This may lead to malocclusion – a misalignment of the teeth. Affected individuals may also have a massive tongue (macroglossia) and unusually large, thick lips. Patients with acromegaly ultimately develop a deep and husky voice because of thickening of vocal cords.
Acromegaly also results in a gradual enlargement of hands and feet. Affected individuals may possibly notice that rings and shoes feel tighter or perhaps they no longer fit at all. Bone and cartilage overgrowth may lead to osteoarthritis -- inflammation and degeneration of joints. Joint and muscle pain frequently develops, especially affecting the shoulders, hands, wrists, knees and hips.
Some patients with acromegaly may develop:
• kyphoscoliosis, a condition where the spine may possibly abnormally curve from side to side and from front to back
• tissue overgrowth, which may possibly trap nerves, such as median nerve causing carpal tunnel syndrome