Categories: A

Acromegaly – Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of acromegaly manifest over a very long period. Acromegaly progresses slowly and symptoms could take even a decade to surface. It is difficult even for close family members to detect these symptoms until they develop fully and are visible clearly.

Share

<p><strong>Signs and Symptoms of Acromegaly<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>New York &lpar;USA&rpar;&comma; June 21&comma; 2013<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Acromegaly&colon; Signs and Symptoms<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Signs and symptoms of acromegaly manifest over a very long period&period; Acromegaly progresses slowly and symptoms could take even a decade to surface&period; It is difficult even for close family members to detect these symptoms until they develop fully and are visible clearly&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Acromegaly symptoms can be broadly classified into two groups&colon;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>1&period; Symptoms due to excess secretion of growth hormone or insulin growth factor-I by pituitary gland&colon;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&&num;8211&semi; Swelling of hands and fingers<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Swelling of feet and their fingers<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Thickening of facial features like nose and lips<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Thickening of skin especially of palms and soles<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Excessive sweating<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Swelling of tongue<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Joint pains accompanied by stiffness and swelling<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Spreading out of teeth with wider gaps in between<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Numbness and pain in wrists and hands<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Oily skin or acne<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Swelling of neck<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Protruding lower jaw and brow<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Difficulty in sleeping due to obstructive sleep apnea<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Increased fatigue<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Severe snoring<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Enlargement of extremities due o swelling of soft tissue<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Deepening of voice due to vocal cord enlargement<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Enlarged tongue<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Excessive body odor<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Enlarged chest<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Enlargement of internal organs like heart&comma; liver&comma; kidneys&comma; and spleen<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Skull expansion around forehead<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Protrusion of brow<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Excessive height disproportionate to age&comma; especially in children<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Muscular weakness<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Small skin outgrowths or skin tags<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>2&period; Symptoms due to increasing size of tumor<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&&num;8211&semi; Persistent and recurring headaches<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Visual imparities<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Partial loss of vision in one or both eyes<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Disruption in production of other hormones<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Changes in menstrual cycles in women<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Impotence in men<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Acromegaly often leads to difficult medical conditions in some persons&period; These medical conditions include diabetes&comma; cardiovascular ailments&comma; hypertension&comma; and increased incidence of colonic polyps leading to adeno-carcinoma of colon&period; Symptoms in such conditions include&colon;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&&num;8211&semi; Increased thirst<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Irritability<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Increased urination<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Breathlessness<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Bouts of tiredness<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Fainting<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Chest pain<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Weakness and fatigue<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Rapid heart beat<br &sol;>&NewLine;&&num;8211&semi; Inability to exercise<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>If you notice such symptoms&comma; contact your doctor immediately for a complete and thorough diagnosis&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150160-acromegaly-definition-diagnosis&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Definition and Diagnosis<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Definition and Diagnosis of Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150161-acromegaly-causes-evaluation&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Causes and Evaluation<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Causes and Evaluation of Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150163-acromegaly-complications-risk-factors&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Complications and Risk Factors<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Complications and Risk Factors for Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150164-acromegaly-diagnostic-tests-procedures&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Diagnostic Tests and Procedures<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Diagnostic Tests and Procedures for Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150165-acromegaly-treatments-medications&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Treatments and Medications<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Treatments and Medications for Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150166-acromegaly-clinical-trials-research-studies&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Clinical Trials and Research Studies<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Clinical Trials and Research Studies on Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150167-acromegaly-home-remedies-alternative-therapies&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies for Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150168-acromegaly-prevention-coping&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Prevention and Coping<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Prevention and Coping with Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150169-acromegaly-lifestyle-changes-self-help&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Lifestyle Changes and Self-Help<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Lifestyle Changes and Self-Help for Acromegaly<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;articles&sol;2016-5016-acromegaly-prevention-treatment-remedies&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Prevention&comma; Treatment&comma; and Remedies<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Acromegaly &&num;8211&semi; Causes&comma; Symptoms&comma; Diagnosis&comma; Prevention&comma; Treatment&comma; and Remedies<&sol;p>&NewLine;

Written By:
Dr. Marilyn Thompson