Acromegaly disease: causes and symptoms

In our body, a huge number of processes take place every second. Any failure can lead to undesirable and difficult consequences. And in our time, it occurs, and before the disease, such as acromegaly, prevailed. The causes and symptoms of this pathology you will learn further. However, it should be noted that in the absence of treatment, such a disease is fatal.

General information

So, the presented disease is endocrine. That is, a person produces too much growth hormone, for which the pituitary gland is responsible. An abnormal amount of somatotropin leads to a delay or increase in the increase in the human skeleton.

Acromegaly (the causes and symptoms you need to know in order to prescribe the right treatment) can develop very long - for years. It does not matter what kind of person the sex is. The disease of acromegaly contributes to the increased production of growth hormone, as well as its uneven intake into the blood.

Causes of pathology development

Now we need to understand why this problem can appear. Among the most common reasons can be identified as follows:

• Heredity. In this case, the disease can manifest itself from childhood. It is characterized by the proportional development of the skeleton. Subsequently, the patient grows very large. If the pathology has appeared in the adult, then it can increase individual parts of the body.
• Pituitary tumor.
• Disorders of other endocrine glands.
• Infectious diseases.

In principle, acromegaly can be caused by any disorder in the body.

Symptomatology of pathology

They can manifest themselves specifically or in the form of secondary disorders. Among the obvious symptoms are:

1. Increased facial skeleton, palms, feet. The skin grows at the same time. Particularly noticeable is the increase in the face, the change in occlusion.
2. The voice becomes coarser, the tongue is greatly enlarged, so it does not fit into the oral cavity.
3. Very fast fatigue.
4. Headache.
5. Deterioration of sexual function in both men and women.
6. Mental abilities are reduced.

If at the beginning of the disease the muscles still retain their strength, then with time they atrophy. The skeleton is deformed, the ribs cease to be mobile. It promotes the development of bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory system.

It should be noted that acromegaly, the reasons of which you have already found out, can provoke the development of other pathologies: diabetes mellitus, deformation of large joints, arterial hypertension. The lungs and heart can be affected. The fact is that these systems can not meet the growing needs of the body.

It should also be noted that in some patients, breathing was stopped during sleep, as the airway patency was impaired.

Diagnostic Features

Acromegaly (the causes and symptoms of the pathology you have already found out) should be correctly determined. To do this, you should visit the diagnostic center and endocrinologist. You will have to undergo laboratory tests: urine (for the amount of calcium), blood (for phosphorus content).

Still need to do a radiographic study, which will give an opportunity to see changes in the bone system. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will allow you to know whether there are any tumor formations on the pituitary. It is also important to conduct an ophthalmologic and neurological examination.

The endocrinologist will give you an analysis of the hormones in the body. In principle, an external examination can give a lot of information to the doctor for diagnosis, but all the above studies will help to understand the causes of the disease, and to prescribe adequate treatment.

Stages of development of pathology

Acromegaly (causes and symptoms have already been explained in this article) is slow or fast. But in any case there are several stages of development that the patient is going through:

1. It involves a weak expression of symptoms, so it is not easy to diagnose pathology at this stage.
2. This stage of hypotrophy is characterized by a pronounced symptom.
3. At this stage, tumors affect the internal organs. That is, they increase in size and squeeze.
4. The most difficult stage, which is characterized by disruption of all systems, metabolism. The body is exhausted, as a result of which the patient dies.

Naturally, it is desirable not to allow the development of the last stages, on which irreversible changes occur.

Complications and prognosis

Acromegaly (the symptoms will help to establish the correct diagnosis) is a complex disease. If it is not treated, it quickly leads to death. That is, a person can die within 3-4 years of rapid development of acromegaly. If the pathology manifests itself slowly, the patient can live up to 30 years. However, it can be treated, and the patient can fully recover.

Complication of pathology is a person's disability. The increase in organs prevents the normal performance of their functions. Naturally, the activity of the body is completely broken. In addition, the psyche suffers. The fact is that those external changes that have already occurred remain with the person forever. This brings both physical and psychological discomfort.

Treatment

If you have found acromegaly, treatment should be started immediately, before it's too late. There are 3 ways to eliminate the presented pathology:

1. Traditional treatment with medications. This method is used if the organs have not undergone serious changes, and there are no tumor formations; If a person has contraindications to surgery. The doctor will offer you special drugs that will inhibit the production of growth hormone: Octreotide, Somatulin. These drugs contribute to the rapid regression of symptoms. Naturally, this treatment regimen should be prescribed by an experienced endocrinologist, since these drugs can produce strong side effects.
2. Radiation therapy. It is produced in the event that there is a tumor on the pituitary gland. Especially if it is malignant. It should be noted that the effect of such treatment will come not earlier than in 1-2 years. This method is used in the event that drug therapy is ineffective, and surgical intervention is contraindicated. In the case of violations of vision and neurology, radiation therapy is contraindicated.
3. In extreme cases, a surgical operation is used. Especially if other methods of treatment do not work, and the pathology quickly progresses. Also, the operation is applied in the case of a tumor that presses the optic nerve. To date, the methodology for conducting the intervention is being improved. Naturally, after the operation, rehabilitation is required, which takes from several months to several years.

Mandatory is also symptomatic treatment, for example, the elimination of headaches, the fight against diabetes, lowering blood pressure.

Prevention

You already have certain knowledge on the topic: "Acromegaly: causes and symptoms" (you can see the photo in the article). It is clear that the treatment must necessarily be done. However, one should also think about preventive measures that will help to avoid the development of the presented pathology.

First of all, lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right. All inflammatory processes or infectious diseases do not crush, but try to treat immediately. In addition, more often contact the doctor if you have such a need. Do not also engage in self-medication, since it can only contribute to the development of pathology and will not give any positive results.

In time, pass all the necessary preventive medical examinations that will help to identify the disease at an early stage.

That's all. Be healthy!