Acromegaly: A Rare Disease

Acromegaly is a disease which occurs in middle-aged people and occurs when growth hormones are kicked into overdrive. What are the signs, symptoms, and treatment course for Acromegaly?

Acromegaly is a rare disease, which causes abnormal growth in adults. Bones in the hands, feet, and the facial area seem to be growing again, years after normal growth patterns have ceased. The growth is slow so it's not easily seen, unless one compares photographs of different decades.

When the growth hormone kicks into overdrive during childhood it's called gigantism and the adult version is not as noticeable. The childhood version is very noticeable because it occurs in a short time frame and exceeds the normal growth patterns associated with childhood.

So what exactly causes Acromegaly to makes these changes within an adult? A tumor begins to grow in the pituitary gland and makes it produce excessive growth hormones in adults according to the Acromegaly website.

The treatment is removal of the tumor, and this is done by going up through the nose and making a small surgical site in which the tumor is pulled though. This type of surgery is called transsphenoidal surgery. Another form of treatment is medications on a daily or monthly basis. These medication block the growth hormone from creating havoc within the patient's body.

However left untreated the tumor continues to overproduce these massive amounts of growth hormones, which lead to bone growth in adults. Feet grow in length as well as width and fingers grow so ring size changes. Facial features grow in the course of this condition. Soft tissues also become thicker such as the palms or bottom of feet.

The Acromegaly patient may also develop arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or experience excessive sweating, an over whelming feeling of drowsiness. Loss of sex drive for both men and woman or interrupted monthly cycles for females is also common for this condition.

The pituitary gland is at the back of your head, an easier way to locate it is to imagine the space directly behind your nose.

Patients with Acromegaly experience many physical ailments directly related the condition. One patient's story is on the official website, at this page and it gives glimpse into the frustration this condition.

Resources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acromegaly/DS00478

http://acromegaly.org/

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/acromegaly/article_em.htm

http://acromegaly.org/about_acromegaly.aspx

One patient's story