Etiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical manifestations
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a rare disorder in which your body produces too much of
the human growth hormone during adulthood. If not treated quickly acromegaly can
lead to serious illness or even death. The symptoms usually develop over several
years. this disorder is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary
gland (a pea sized gland in your brain that produces hormones).
Acromegaly is a rare disorder in which your body produces too much of
the human growth hormone during adulthood. If not treated quickly acromegaly can
lead to serious illness or even death. The symptoms usually develop over several
years. this disorder is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary
gland (a pea sized gland in your brain that produces hormones).
Gigantism
Gigantism is a rare disorder in which your body produces too much of the growth hormone in
children who are still growing. Usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor on the
hormone producing gland at the base of your brain (pituitary gland). This results in great height along with increased muscle and organ development. Despite their size, these people are usually weak.
Gigantism is a rare disorder in which your body produces too much of the growth hormone in
children who are still growing. Usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor on the
hormone producing gland at the base of your brain (pituitary gland). This results in great height along with increased muscle and organ development. Despite their size, these people are usually weak.
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is a rare condition where your body does not produce enough growth hormone causing a person to be no more than 4 feet 11 inches tall. There are two categories of dwarfism;
1) Disproportionate dwarfism which is when a person has an average sized torso with shorter arms and legs or a shorter torso with longer arms and legs.
2) Proportionate dwarfism which is when the body parts are consistent with each other but shortened. This can be caused by a genetic disorder but in some cases the cause is unknown.
Dwarfism is a rare condition where your body does not produce enough growth hormone causing a person to be no more than 4 feet 11 inches tall. There are two categories of dwarfism;
1) Disproportionate dwarfism which is when a person has an average sized torso with shorter arms and legs or a shorter torso with longer arms and legs.
2) Proportionate dwarfism which is when the body parts are consistent with each other but shortened. This can be caused by a genetic disorder but in some cases the cause is unknown.
Signs and symptoms
- Increased blood sugar levels
- Abnormally tall height (gigantism & acromegaly)
- Enlarged hands, feet, jaw, cheeks, lips, tongue, and nose (acromegaly)
- Short stature (dwarfism)
- Headaches
- Joint aches
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Limited mobility
- Prominent forehead (acromegaly)
- Vision and hearing problems
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sleep apnea (acromegaly)
- Excessive sweating
- Bowlegs (dwarfism)
- Back pain
- Sexual Dysfunction
