Acromegaly

Introduction

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder, occurs due to excess secretion of growth hormone and occurs in middle-aged adults. This hormone is usually secreted by the 'Pituitary', a gland situated deep inside the brain. When there is increased secretion of Growth Hormone, the medical condition is known as Acromegaly.

A similar surplus occurring if occurring in childhood causes the condition 'gigantism'.

A similar surplus occurring if occurring in childhood causes the condition 'gigantism'.

Few initial stage symptoms:

  • Rings on fingers become tight, Shoes do not fit
  • Enlarged hands and feet
  • Changes in facial features
  • Swelling of lower jaw
  • Enlarged nose
  • Teeth show wider spacing
  • Thickened lips

Signs and symptoms are seen as the disordered growth:

  • Oily, Coarse, and thickened skin
  • Too much sweating and body odor
  • Small outgrowths of skin tissue
  • Muscle weakness and Fatigue
  • A deeper, rough voice due to enlarged vocal cords and sinuses
  • Severe snoring because of obstruction of the upper airway
  • Enlarged tongue
  • Headaches
  • Impaired vision
  • Pain
  • Limited joint mobility
  • Erectile dysfunction in men
  • Menstrual cycle irregularities in women
  • Enlarged liver, heart, kidneys, spleen and other organs
  • Increased chest size

Causes:

The tumor is the most common cause of Acromegaly. These tumors can be of two types:

Pituitary tumors:

These tumors are approximately forever non-cancerous and mild called 'adenomas'

This tumor secrets surplus amount of growth hormone which causes a majority of the symptoms.

The symptoms like headaches and impaired vision are caused due to the tumor growing bigger in size and pressing on nearby brain tissues.

Non-Pituitary tumors:

Tumors present in the pancreas, lungs, and adrenal glands begin to secrete growth hormone resulting in excessive hormone circulation.

Diagnosis:

The progression of a disease being slow, it is easy to slip Acromegaly. Even though with friends and family members, the condition can go unrecognized as changes are slight.

When there is adequate reason to suspect Acromegaly, the laboratory investigations required are as follows:

Growth Hormone suppression test.

GH levels in the blood are measured before and later to having a fixed amount of glucose orally. If the GH levels after having glucose fail to fall, the diagnosis of Acromegaly is made.

GH & IGF-I measurements.

Elevated levels of these hormones despite fasting overnight, is indicative of Acromegaly.

Imaging.

CT scan and MRI scans can identify the positions of pituitary as well as non-pituitary tumors.

Sequelae

Acromegaly is either a cause of or associated along with the following conditions.

  • High blood pressures
  • Diabetes
  • Other cardiovascular diseases (enlargement of the heart muscles ' myopathies)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sleep apnea syndrome
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Reduced secretion of other pituitary hormones (panhypopituitarism)
  • Loss of vision
  • Spinal cord compression
  • Formation of pre-cancerous growths (polyps) inside the intestine (colon).
  • Mild tumors (fibroids) within the uterus.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy system does not have significant treatment for Acromegaly. Yet, homeopathy can successfully treat some of the end results of the disease process.

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