What is Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a hormone disorder that causes unusual growth of the body in adults. It commonly affects the bones of the hands, feet, and face. Over time, acromegaly can lead to a number of problems or other conditions, such as:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Thyroid problems.
- Colon polyps.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Heart disease.
- Sleep apnea.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
What are the causes?
This condition can be caused when the body produces more growth hormone than it needs. This can result from:
- A non-cancerous (benign) tumor on the gland that produces growth hormone (pituitary gland). This is a common cause.
- A tumor in another part of the body, such as the adrenal gland or lungs. This is a rare cause.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Common signs and symptoms of this condition include:
- Larger-than-normal hands, feet, head, face, brow, or jaw.
- Swelling of the hands or feet.
- Headaches.
- Fatigue or weakness.
- Enlarged heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, or other internal organs.
- Severe problems with snoring or sleep apnea.
- Blurred vision.
- Joint pain.
- Skin changes, such as skin tags or coarse skin.
- Widely spaced teeth.
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers.
- Menstrual cycle changes in women.
- Erectile dysfunction in men.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
- A physical exam.
- Blood tests.
- Imaging tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan.
How is this treated?
This condition may be treated with:
- Surgery to remove the tumor that is causing the condition.
- Medicines.
Medicines may be given instead of surgery, or they may be given before
surgery to shrink the tumor. They may also be given after surgery:
- If the surgery is not successful.
- If hormone levels do not return to normal.
- Radiation therapy. This is used if surgery and medicines are not effective.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Keep
all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. It is important
to keep follow-up appointments all through your life so that your health
care provider can:
- Check whether your pituitary gland is working normally.
- Look for complications of the disease.
- Get eye exams regularly.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have changes in your vision.
- Your headaches get worse.
- You have new symptoms or new pain or numbness.
- Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
Get help right away if:
- You have pain or pressure in your chest.
- You have difficulty breathing.
- You pass out or feel faint.
Summary
- Acromegaly is a hormone disorder that causes unusual growth of the body in adults. It commonly affects the bones of the hands, feet, and face.
- Over time, acromegaly can lead to a number of problems or other conditions.
- This condition can be caused when the body produces more growth hormone than it needs.
- Acromegaly is most commonly caused by a non-cancerous (benign) tumor on the gland that produces growth hormone (pituitary gland).
- This condition may be treated with surgery to remove a tumor, medicines, or radiation.
