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  Acromegaly Signs & symptoms seen as the disorder progresses: Causes: The most common cause of acromegaly is a tumor. These tumors can be of two types: Pituitary tumors: These tumors are almost always non-cancerous and benign, called 'adenomas' This tumor secrets excess amounts of growth hormone which causes most of the symptoms. Some symptoms like impaired vision and headaches are caused due to the tumor growing in size and pressing on nearby brain tissues. Non-Pituitary tumors: Tumors present elsewhere in the body (pancreas, lungs, and adrenal glands) begin to secrete growth hormone resulting in excess hormone circulation. Diagnosis The progress of the disease being very slow, it is easy to miss acromegaly. Even with friends and family members, the condition can go unnoticed as changes are very subtle. When there is enough reason to suspect acromegaly, the laboratory investigations required are: - 1) Growth Hormone suppression test. GH levels in the blood are measured before and after having a fixed amount of glucose orally. If the GH levels after having glucose fail to fall, the diagnosis of acromegaly is made. 2) GH & IGF-I measurements. Elevated levels of these hormones in spite of fasting overnight, is indicative of acromegaly. 3) Imaging. CT and MRI scans can pinpoint the locations of pituitary as well as non-pituitary tumors. Sequelae Acromegaly is either a cause of or associated along with the following conditions outlined below: Treatment More than one form of treatment is usually required. Both medications and surgery are usually indicated, the aim being to reduce the total amount of GH in circulation. A. Conventional medications The conventional medicines have three objectives: I. Stop excessive secretion of GH (use of drugs like octreotide) II. Decrease the size of the tumor responsible for excess GH (use of dopamine agonists like cabercoline & bromocriptine) III. To normalize IGF-I levels when the above (GH antagonists like pegvisomant) B. Surgical interventions Transsphenoidal surgery to extract the pituitary tumors. C. Radiation Applied in cases where there are residual tumor cells even after appropriate surgical interventions. D. Homeopathic Treatment Homeopathy system does not have significant treatment for Acromegaly. However, homeopathy can successfully treat some of the end results of the disease process. |
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 New book by Dr Shah on Chronic Urticaria
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